Tuesday was the second day (minus travel) of our week long research program at the Gulf Coast Repository. On Monday, we got a brief overview of the type of research done at the GCR and the equipment used to analyze the cores. On Tuesday, we got to know more about some of the people behind the research.

At the beginning of the day we had a panel where we got to hear from Lisa, Kevin, and Peter. These three came to the GCR along different paths, but the through line that kept them here with the JR and the GCR for so long was the variety of exploration to conduct the research and the people who crewed the ship. Life at sea seems like it could be so isolating, and you have to be dynamic when nature tells you what you can and cannot do. From what I heard from these three, aboard the JR you could lean on each other and that even though the voyages were two months at a time, the relationships endured on both land and sea.

During lunch, we had two more speakers, Carlos and Thomas, who came to tell us their stories about how they got to the GCR. While Carlos was originally from Venezuela and Thomas from Germany, there was one thing that inspired both of them to pursue science: movies! I want to quickly highlight the role science media has on creating new generations of scientists. Exposure to science in media in fun and exciting ways can be the rolling pebble that causes the landslide of pursuing science. And while maybe actual dinosaur paleontology can initially be a let down if you had Jurassic Park in your head, along the way you will find your niche, the thing that speaks directly to you. Both of these scientists were very passionate about their work, it is what drove them to explore not just new ideas but so many new places around the globe. That passion is infectious; I know nothing about the study of paleo fossils but the way they spoke made me want to learn more.

After lunch we got to observe our smear slides under microscopes. SO COOL. The microorganisms were so diverse and weird looking, in a good way! It actually blew my mind the amount of fossils packed into one little spec of dust.

I’m gonna be honest, I have no idea what this is. It sorta looks like a turtle to me. But what I DO know is that I love it.

We were in two separate groups and everyone got to take a turn looking at their own cool slides!

We capped off the day brainstorming research questions and the type of equipment we would use to prove our hypothesis. It was a long day of ideas bouncing off the walls. Some made it onto paper, some got lost in the noise, but by the end of the day we all had spilt into groups and started working on our respective research. I’m very excited for what the rest of the week holds.

– Jake Dobson