Hello there! My name is Jesse Turner and I am a senior in Oceanography at the University of Washington. My passions are endless, but a few of my hobbies include hiking, biking, slacklining, skiing, soccer, and juggling. I am originally from Vashon Island, where growing up within a rock’s throw of the sea left me longing for as much information about the oceans as I could manage. I am currently working with my chemical oceanography professor, James Murray, to help him study the trace metal composition of phytoplankton off Qatar in the Persian Gulf.

The VISIONS ’15 research cruise will fortunately be my second venture as a part of this mission on board the R/V Thompson. Last cruise, in 2014, I worked to help create several educational outreach videos and also to develop a website presenting the biology of hydrothermal vent ecosystems in an understandable manner. This time, I hope to have the opportunity to use some of the new data streaming in from the cabled array for my senior thesis project. I am currently interested in examining if there is a relationship between the changes in pressure due to tidal surges and the frequency of earthquakes near Axial Seamount. I am excited to experience the successes and surprises that present themselves aboard the vessel!

Thanks for taking the time to read this and have a wonderful day.