Ashlee Somol (Leg 1)

Hello! I’m Ashlee Somol and I’ll be going into my fourth year at UW as an oceanography major. The ocean is a fascinating place all around but my main interests are in marine geology and biology, so being able to study the hydrothermal vents on this cruise is incredibly exciting for me. Ever since I learned about tardigrades in elementary school I’ve been obsessed with organisms tough enough to survive extreme conditions (and possible alien life?!). I have an itch to explore anywhere and everywhere I can so I’m truly grateful for this opportunity. I cannot wait to learn and collaborate with fellow students and scientists on board!