I am an undergraduate student at the University of Washington entering my junior year. I am majoring in oceanography and minoring in marine biology. I am involved in the VISIONS project because I find it extremely fascinating to be using ocean engineering for both scientific as well as public outreach purposes, and I am very interested in the organisms and bacteria that reside in the deep sea. I have some research background working in labs, and I have spent some time on UW research vessels in the Puget Sound basin. I hope to gain valuable research and nautical skills while on this cruise that I will undoubtedly use in my future academic and professional career!