Isabella Oedekoven Pomponi (Leg 2)

Hello! My name is Isabella Oedekoven Pomponi and I am a current rising Senior at the UW studying International Studies – International Political Economy as well as a Minor in Art History. This year, I have been following the economic developments of the shortage of rare earth minerals, and their impact on the economy and I’m looking forward to studying the mineral compositions surrounding the various hydrothermal vent sites that we will be visiting. I grew up watching an array of nature documentaries and I’ve always thought that the deep-sea fauna was the most interesting and ‘extraterrestrial’ looking. I’m very excited for the opportunity to meet everyone and help on an array of projects, and the opportunity to live at sea!