PLRP Participants

Bernard Laval
Principal Investigator, University of British Columbia

Expertise: Physical Limnologist
Affiliation: University of British Columbia
Certification/Education:
BASc Engineering Physics, UBC
MSc Physical Oceanography, McGill
PhD Environmental Engineering, University of Western Australia
Full Biography »

Darlene Lim
Principal Investigator

Expertise: Limnology
Affiliation: NASA Ames Research Center
Certification/Education:
PhD Geobiology, University of Toronto, Canada
MSc Geobiology, University of Toronto, Canada
BScH Biology, Queen's University, Canada
Full Biography »

Gregory Slater
Deputy Principal Investigator / McMaster University

Expertise: Organic and Isotope Geochemistry
Affiliation: McMaster University
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. Isotope Geochemistry (2001), University of Toronto
Full Biography »

Donnie Reid
Logistics and Operations Manager

Expertise: Underwater Photography & Scientific Diving
Affiliation: Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
Certification/Education:
Instructor Trainer, Scuba Schools International Canada (current)
CAUS Scientific Diver Instructor
Full Cave Diver, NACS
Trimix Diver, IANTD
Occupationally Certified Diver, WCB
Full Biography »

Ben Cowie
PLRP Education and Public Outreach

Expertise: Isotope Geochemistry
Affiliation: The University of Calgary
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (current) The University of Calgary
M.Sc. (2008) McMaster University
B.Sc. (2006) McMaster University
Full Biography »

Andrew Abercromby
Participating Scientist, Data Management

Expertise: EVA Physiology and Operations, Biomechanics, Research Methods
Affiliation: NASA Johnson Space Center
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (Biomechanics & Motor Control) University of Houston, 2006
M.Eng. (Mechanical Engineering), University of Edinburgh, 2002
Full Biography »

Oded Aharonson

Expertise: Planetary Science
Affiliation: California Institute of Technology
Certification/Education:
B.S. Applied & Engineering Physics, (1994) Cornell University
M.Eng. Applied & Engineering Physics, (1995) Cornell University
Ph.D. Planetary Sciences, (2002) Massachusetts Institute of Technology
PADI Open Water Diver

Alessandro Airo

Expertise: Geobiologist
Affiliation: Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University
Certification/Education:
MS in Biochemistry (Free University Berlin, 2000)
currently: Ph.D. student in Geology (Stanford University, start 2002)
Full Biography »

Richard Arnold
Deepworker Pilot

Expertise: NASA Astronaut - Marine Science
Affiliation: NASA Johnson Space Center
Certification/Education:
BS Frostburg State University
MS University of Maryland
Full Biography »

Rafferty Pendery
Videographer and Web Designer

Expertise: Marketing, Web Development, Videography
Affiliation: Studio98, Inc.
Certification/Education:
SSI Advanced Diver
Full Biography »

Dale Andersen
Participating Scientist

Expertise: Limnology
Affiliation: Carl Sagan Center for the Study of LIfe in the Universe, SETI Institute
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. McGill University, Dept. of Geography 2004
B.S. (Biology) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1979.
Full Biography »

Greg Baiden
Participating Scientist, Underwater Telerobotic Sub Operation

Expertise: Robotics and Automation
Affiliation: Laurentian University
Certification/Education:
Manager - Mines Research Inco Limited, 1986 to 2001
Ph.D. (Mining Engineering) McGill University, 1993
M.Sc. (Mining Engineering) Queen's University, 1986
B.Sc. (Mining Engineering) Queen's University, 1984
Ryerson Polytechnical Institute - Civil Engineering
Full Biography »

John Bird

Expertise: Engineer (Underwater Acoustics, Signal Processing, Sonar)
Affiliation: Simon Fraser University
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (1980) Electrical Engineering, Carleton University
B.A. Sc. (1973) Electrical Engineering, University of British Columbia
Dip. of Technology (1968) Electrical/Electronics, British Columbia Institute of Technology
Full Biography »

Janice Bishop

Expertise: Spectroscopy & Mineralogy)
Affiliation: SETI Institute & NASA-Ames Reserach Center
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. in Chemistry (and Planetary Science), Brown University , 1994
M.S. in Applied Earth Science (Remote Sensing), Stanford University , 1988
B.S. in Chemistry, Stanford University , 1988
Full Biography »

Allyson Brady
Ph.D. Student, Deepworker Pilot

Expertise: Isotope Geochemistry
Affiliation: McMaster University
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (current) Earth Sciences (McMaster University)
M.A. (2005) Isotopic Anthropology (University of Western Ontario)
B.Sc. (2002) Physical Anthropology (Trent University)
B.Sc. (2001) Microbiology (University of Guelph)
Full Biography »

Zena Cardman
Field Assistant

Expertise: Microbial Ecology
Affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Certification/Education:
B.Sc. Student (Biology) UNC-Chapel Hill, 2010
Full Biography »

Sherry Cady

Expertise: Astrobiology, Biosignatures, Geomicrobiology
Affiliation: Portland State University

Amy M Chan
Participating Scientist

Expertise: Aquatic Microbiology & Virology
Affiliation: Earth & Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia
Certification/Education:
BSc. (Biology) University of British Columbia
Full Biography »

Olivia Chan

Expertise: Geomicrobiology
Affiliation: The University of Hong Kong
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (current) Astrobiology (The University of Hong Kong)
M.S. (2005) Geology (Iowa State University)
B.Sc. (2002) Geology (Iowa State University)
Full Biography »

Alfonso F. Davila

Expertise: Astrobiology, Planetary Sciences
Affiliation: NASA Ames Research Center
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (Robotics) Carnegie Mellon University
Full Biography »

Matthew Deans
Participating Scientist, Science Stenographer

Expertise: Robotics, Mapping, Geoinformatics
Affiliation: NASA Ames Research Center
Certification/Education:
P.h.D. in Robotics, Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute

Full Biography »

Mike Delaney
Assistant Dive Safety Officer

Expertise: Scientific Diving
Affiliation: The Edge Diving Centre
Certification/Education:
Master Instructor, PADI
Emergency First Response
Instructor Trainer, PADI
KISS Closed Circuit Rebreather Diver, TDI
Full Biography »

Bill Dearing
Communication and Video Systems

Expertise: Telescience and Network Engineering
Affiliation: Kennedy Space Center, FL
Certification/Education:
B.S. (Chemical Engineering) Tennessee Technological University
Full Biography »

Michael Downs

Expertise: Communications and Logistics
Affiliation: NASA Kennedy Space Center
Certification/Education:
Advanced Project Engineer for KSC IT Application Services Division
B.S. Computer Science, University of Central Florida
Cisco Certified Network Engineer
NAUI Open Water Diver
Full Biography »

Greg Druschel

Expertise: Microbial Geochemistry and Redox Geochemistry
Affiliation: University of Vermont
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. Geochemistry (2002) University of Wisconsin
Full Biography »

Jonathan Fether
Deepworker Technical Support

Expertise: Submersible life support systems
Affiliation: Nuytco Research
Certification/Education:
BCIT machinist red seal
US navy life support systems technician
Hardsuit pilot
Deepworker pilot
Full Biography »

Alex Forrest
Ph.D. Student, Deepworker Pilot, Gavia Pilot

Expertise: Environmental Fluid Mechanics
Affiliation: University of British Columbia
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (current) Environmental Fluid Mechanics, UBC
M.A.Sc. Environmental Engineering (2004), UBC
B.Eng. Chemical Engineering and Society (2002), McMaster University
B.Sc. Geoscience (2002), McMaster University
Full Biography »

Mike Gernhardt

Expertise: NASA Astronaut, Manager of Environmental Physiology Laboratory and
Principle Investigator of Prebreath Reduction Program, Johnson Space Center
Affiliation: NASA
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
M.A.Sc. Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
B.Sc. Physics, Vanderbilt University
Full Biography »

Andrew Hamilton
Ph.D. Student, Gavia Pilot

Expertise: Biophysical Oceanography
Affiliation: University of British Columbia
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. Candidate (Environmental Fluid Mechanics), University of British Columbia
M.Sc. (Oceanography) University of British Columbia
B.Sc. (Biology) University of Alberta
Full Biography »

Ian Hawes
Participating Scientist

Expertise: Photosynthesis
Affiliation: Aquatic Research Solutions
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (Phycology) University of Durham, UK
B.Sc. (Marine Biology) University of Liverpool, UK
Full Biography »

Jeff Heaton

Expertise: Operations Supervisor and Lead Submersible Pilot
Affiliation: Nuytco Research
Certification/Education:
B.Sc.
Full Biography »

Sasha LeBaron
Deepworker Technical Support

Expertise: Manned Submersible Navigation Technician
Affiliation: Nuytco Research
Certification/Education:
DeepWorker 2000 Navigation, Communication and Maintenance technician
Full Biography »

David Lees
Participating Scientist, Science Stenographer

Expertise: Robotics, Computer/Human Interaction
Affiliation: NASA Ames/CMU
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering), Stanford University
B.S. EE&CS, Johns Hopkins University
Full Biography »

Gary Lippman
Support Diver

Expertise: Scuba Diving
Affiliation: Foreshore Technologies Inc
Certification/Education:
Occupational Scuba diver, and inshore surface supply diver.
Full Biography »

Dana Lis
Camp Cook

Expertise: Sport Nutrition
Affiliation: SportMedBC
Certification/Education:
B.Sc. Dietetics
IOC Dipl. Sports Nutriton (c)
Full Biography »

Chris Looper
Participating Scientist

Expertise: Extravehicular Activity Hardware Development and Operations
Affiliation: NASA Johnson Space Center
Certification/Education:
Chief Engineer for the Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Branch of the Astronaut Office

Mathieu Lyonnais
Field Assistant

Expertise: Molecular Biology
Affiliation: Université du Québec à Montréal
Certification/Education:
B. Sc. student (biology) UQAM, 2010
PADI Open Water Diver
Full Biography »

Margarita "Mars" Marinova
Ph.D. Student, Deepworker Pilot

Expertise: Planetary surfaces
Affiliation: California Institute of Technology, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
Certification/Education:
B.Sc. - Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT
M.Sc. - Planetary Science, Caltech
Ph.D. (current) - Planetary Science, Caltech
Full Biography »

Damien McCombs
First Aid Attendant

Expertise: First Aid & Outdoor Education
Affiliation: University of British Columbia
Certification/Education:
BFA (UBC), OFA LEVEL III, Advanced Wilderness First Aid
Full Biography »

Christopher McKay

Expertise: Planetary Geologist
Affiliation: Space Science Division - NASA Ames Research Center
Certification/Education:
Ph.D.
Full Biography »

Geoff Mullins

Expertise: Underwater Acoustics
Affiliation: Simon Fraser University, Engineering Science, Underwater Research Laboratory
Certification/Education:
B.ASC Engineering Physics - Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
M.ASC Engineering Physics - University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
PHD (on-going) - Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Full Biography »

Dirk Schulze-Makuch

Expertise: Astrobiology, Hydrogeology
Affiliation: Washington State University
Certification/Education:
Ph.D., 1996, currently Associate Professor
Full Biography »

James A. Nienow
Participating Scientist

Expertise: Microbial ecology, Taxonomy and systematics of microalgae
Affiliation: Valdosta State University
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (Microbial Ecology) Florida State University
BA/MA Mathematics, UC San Diego
Full Biography »

Phil Nuytten

Expertise: Inventor, entrepreneur, explorer, President and founder of Nuytco Research Ltd and Can-Dive Services Ltd
Affiliation: Nuytco Research Ltd and Can-Dive Services Ltd
Full Biography »

Gordon "Oz" Osinski

Expertise: Geology
Affiliation: Departments of Earth Sciences and Physics and Astronomy at the University of Western Ontario, Canada
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. Geology (2004) University of New Brunswick, Canada
B.Sc. (Hons.) Geology (1999) University of St. Andre ws, Scotland
Full Biography »

Weston Pike

Expertise: Ecology, Environmental Studies
Affiliation: UBC
Certification/Education:
M.A. (current) Environmental Fluid Mechanics; Civil Engineering (UBC)
B.Sc. (2005) Ecology and Environmental Biology (Thompson Rivers University)
Full Biography »

Steve Pointing

Expertise: Molecular Microbial Ecology
Affiliation: Extremophiles Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong
Full Biography »

Mike Reay
Deepworker Technical Support

Expertise: Submersible construction & operations
Affiliation: Nuytco Research
Certification/Education:
Diploma of Technology (Electronics and Industrial Automation) BCIT
Full Biography »

Jeff Rozon
Deepworker Technical Support

Expertise: Deepworker Electronics/Operations Technology
Affiliation: Nuytco Research
Certification/Education:
B.Sc. (Marine Biology) Guelph University, 1994
Nuytco Research Submersible Technician/Pilot
Full Biography »

Mark Saffari

Expertise: Senior Chemist
Affiliation: Environment Canada, Pacific and Yukon Region, Pacific Environmental Science Centre, North Vancouver, BC
Certification/Education:
B.Sc. in Chemistry (Simon Fraser University)
B. Tech. in Environmental Engineering (BCIT)
Full Biography »

Marc A. Seibert
Participating Scientist

Expertise: Space Communications, Networking and Space Network Emulation
Affiliation: NASA
Certification/Education:
MSEE, Case Western Reserve University (Space Communications)
BEEE, Michigan State University (Digital Communications)
Full Biography »

Rebekah Shepard

Expertise: Geobiologist/Astrobiologist
Affiliation: University of California, Davis
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. Candidate
Full Biography »

Dawn Y Sumner
Participating Scientist

Expertise: Astrobiology
Affiliation: University of California, Davis
Certification/Education:
B.S. (Geology) California Institute of Technology, 1989
Ph.D. in Geology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1995
Full Biography »

Curtis Suttle
Participating Scientist

Expertise: Environmental microbiology and virology
Affiliation: University of British Columbia
Certification/Education:
BSc Zoology (Hon)
PhD Botany
Full Biography »

Jim Thompson

Expertise: Photography, Diving, Flying, Boating
Affiliation: NASA Ames Spaceward Bound
Certification/Education:
New York Institute of Photography
Advanced Open Water Instructor 28573, SSI
Flight Safety International: Commercial Multi Engine Pilot
Chapman School of Seamanship
Full Biography »

Art Trembanis
Visiting Scientist and AUV team participant

Expertise: Sediment Transport Processes, Bottom boundary layer dynamics, AUVs
Affiliation: University of Delaware
Certification/Education:
B.S. Geology/Oceanography Duke University, Magna Cum Laude
Fulbright Fellow Sydney University, Sydney Australia
Ph.D. College of William and Mary, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences
WHOI/USGS Postdoctoral Fellow
Assistant Professor University of Delaware
Full Biography »

Mary Beth Wilhelm
Field Assistant

Expertise: Planetary Science
Affiliation: Cornell University/NASA Ames Research Center
Certification/Education:
B.Sc. Student (Physics and Astronomy) Cornell University 2012
Full Biography »

Nick Wilkinson
Data Management, Support Diver

Expertise: Entrepreneur, logistics consultant
Affiliation: Rask Systems Inc
Certification/Education:
BASc (Mechanical Engineering), University of British Columbia
MASc (Mining Engineering) University of British Columbia
PADI Divemaster
Full Biography »

Danielle M. Winget
Participating Scientist

Expertise: Marine Virology
Affiliation: University of British Columbia
Certification/Education:
B.S. (Biology) Florida State University
Ph.D. (Marine Science) University of Delaware
Full Biography »

Lisa Leoni

Expertise: Isotope Geochemistry
Affiliation: McMaster University
Certification/Education:
M.Sc. (current) Earth Science - Geochemistry (McMaster University)
B.Sc.(2004) Earth Science- Geochemistry (McMaster University)
Full Biography »

Jennifer Hansen

Expertise: Isotope Geochemistry
Affiliation: McMaster University
Certification/Education:
BSc. Candidate Earth Science (McMaster University)
Full Biography »