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< Back Nadiah Rosli Capacity Development Program Manager Nadiah is a freelance journalist, communications specialist and project manager from Malaysia. She has a wide experience of conservation and previously worked at World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia, Animal Projects & Environmental Education Malaysia and Earthworm Foundation. She believes that an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge is a fantastic thing, and her writings focus on the intersection of science with culture and nature. Her work has been featured in VICE (Motherboard), Public Radio International, Scidev.net , and New Naratif, among others. In 2021, she served as scriptwriter for a live puppet show featuring music and local and Indigenous folktales on the environment from Malaysia titled, ‘ASLI – Resonance in Our Roots’. From 2020 – 2022, she was Project Director at Internews, an international media development non-profit where she managed a project called Suara Masyarakat (Community Voices). The project aimed to strengthen the capacity of Malaysian media as a key actor in promoting good governance, transparency and accountability through high quality investigative, data, mobile journalism, and citizen journalism training. Suara Masyarakat also focused on amplifying the voices of underrepresented voices in the media such as women, minorities, Indigenous and marginalized groups.

Press Recent Media OceanX Young Explorers Program Ocean Discovery League recently participated in the fourth Young Explorers Program with OceanX aboard OceanXplorer providing hands-on research and mentorship opportunities to 15 university students in the fields of storytelling, marine biology, and ocean exploration. Full Article Mongabay: Q&A wit h Katy Croff Bell The current expense of studying the deep seas stymies many research initiatives, so scientists have developed a low-cost imaging and sensor device to make access to the deep sea more equal. Dr. Katy Croff Bell explains the how the idea was developed and what the future of Maka Niu looks like. Full Article Smithsonian Magazine : A New Eye on the Deep Sea Smithsonian Magazine profiles Ocean Discovery League's work on Maka Niu and other low-cost, deep ocean sensors to broaden access to deep-sea exploration by removing the barrier of affordability. Full Article ODL Chief Scientist On Why Remote Pacific Islands Need Protection ODL’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Brian Kennedy 's opinion piece about why the Pacific Remote Islands need protection. He emphasizes the importance of sanctuary protections to exclude destructive activities and enable ongoing scientific research. Full Article ODL Part of $5 Million NSF Grant to Develop Ocean Vision AI ODL is part of a multi-disciplinary team recently awarded a $5M NSF Convergence Accelerator Grant to develop Ocean Vision AI (OVAI). OVAI uses the power of artificial intelligence to process ocean imagery. Full Article ODL Co-Hosts Cook Islands Workshop Funded by US Embassy in New Zealand In partnership with Sharks Pacific, ODL is currently co-hosting a workshop for Cook Islanders ages 16-24 in ocean exploration, technology, and research using our Maka Niu camera and other technology. Full Article Katy Croff Bell in National Geographic Katy Croff Bell was interviewed for the December 2020 issue of National Geographic Magazine about why diversity is so important for science and exploration. “If we’re actually going to explore the entire ocean...we need new communities of people to be involved.” Full Article Jessica Sandoval named to Explorers Club 50 Explorers to Watch Systems R&D Lead Engineer Dr. Jessica Sandoval was recently named to The Explorers Club 50 Explorers to Watch. "I hope to lead by example and show that a Latina woman can push past barriers of representation and change the notion of what it means to be an ocean explorer." Full Article Women in Oceanography Still Navigate Rough Seas Female scientists have weathered bias, lack of support, and unsafe work environments since the dawn of oceanography. Could recent initiatives, technology, and awareness chart the way to safer waters? Full Article Forbes: My Deep Sea, My Backyard: Empowering Nations To Study The Deep The "My Deep Sea, My Backyard" project aims to allow previously marginalized communities to step into the deep sea conversation by giving them the capability to explore, understand, and manage their deep sea backyard. Full Article CBS's "Mission Unstoppable" Features Katy Croff Bell Be inspired by female STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) superstars in leading fields including social media, entertainment, animals, design, and the internet. Watch Episode Slack for Good Announces Partnership with Ocean Discovery League The partnership is a natural extension of Slack for Good’s mission to increase the number of historically underrepresented individuals in tech, and it ties into Slack’s broader sustainability effort. Full Article Katy Croff Bell featured on National Geographic's Women of Impact In her two decades of working in marine science and deep sea exploration, Dr. Katy Croff Bell has set her sights on having more women leaders on board. Media Inquiries For media inquiries and press kits, please contact Susan Poulton, Vice President of Strategy and Communications, susan@oceandiscoveryleague.org.

Accessing the Deep: Deep Ocean Training & Mentoring Program ​ Exploring the Ocean with Low-Cost Tools Applications due May 27, 2024 Ocean Discovery League (ODL) is launching a new training program for early career individuals in the Pacific region to address head-on the inefficient, expensive, and inequitable deep sea exploration and research practices that continue to hinder our ability to explore the deep ocean at scale. This global inequity creates multiple challenges, including shaping research agendas, limited scientific exploration, hindered development of sustainable ocean-based economies, and the exclusion of individuals from appreciating the deep ocean's value. We aim to increase the number of people and diversity of community within deep-sea exploration. Participants will receive comprehensive online training in technical and oceanographic knowledge from international deep-sea science experts. The course will focus on low-cost, accessible approaches to exploring waters deeper than 200 m. It will also assist participants with crafting research proposals incorporating accessible tools and solutions for localized deep-sea exploration. After the training, attendees will be mentored by deep-sea or regional experts to develop research proposals tailored to localized deep-sea exploration, ensuring they are equipped to make meaningful contributions to the field. The deep sea covers two-thirds of our planet, yet over 99% remains unexplored. Let's discover it together! 1/1 Program Details ​ Duration: Seven-month program launching week commencing on June 17, 2024 comprised of online training followed by virtual mentoring. ​ Online Training: 10 weekly virtual training sessions using Zoom held on weekday mornings (Palau time) from June 17 to August 19, 2024. Online Mentoring : Five months of online mentoring to support participants in developing localized research proposals and applications (August to December 2024). ​ Format ​ During the online training, each week, participants will: ​ Participate in a live online training call and discussion session held using Zoom. ​​​ Engage in conversation with other participants and instructors using a dedicated WhatsApp group. Following the online training, participants will be partnered with a mentor and are expected to: ​ Meet with the mentor each month to discuss the progress of their application. Note: The online training content will be offered in English, and participants will be asked to communicate in English. Online sessions will be recorded but only available to participants who were unable to attend the class or wish to revisit the material. Recordings of discussion sections will not be made public to protect vulnerable questions or conversations. Participants are expected to use their own computing devices with microphones, cameras, and internet access to participate in this program. They must be able to connect to the workshops using their accounts. Up to USD $50 may be requested for internet bandwidth to participate in online programs. ​ Who Should Apply ​ Applicants should hold at least an associate's degree or demonstrate equivalent experience and be at least 21 years old. We seek enthusiastic individuals with a marine science background, whether gained through formal academic study or equivalent hands-on experience, and a strong passion for ocean exploration. While previous hands-on experience in deep-sea research is not mandatory, a keen interest in the field is highly valued. We're particularly focused on individuals interested in expanding their work into deep-sea applications and how to use low-cost technology to achieve those goals. This 2024 training and mentoring opportunity is aimed at individuals from the Pacific Islands, focusing on candidates from Palau, American Samoa, Samoa, Niue, and the Cook Islands, receiving priority consideration. Individuals from these countries who are studying or living abroad are also welcome to apply. We strongly encourage applications from historically excluded communities. Selected participants will receive a stipend of USD $1000 to support their involvement in the program. ​ Selection Criteria ​ Participant eligibility for the program will be determined by ODL based on the following criteria: ​ Demonstrated interest in deep-sea exploration and research. Compelling motivation for participation in the program. Clear articulation of how the training will contribute to their local community. Availability to participate in the online training. Candidates will be notified by email of their selection status by May 31, 2024, and selected candidates will have 5 days to confirm acceptance to participate in the program. ​ Application Process and Deadline ​ Complete the online application form via the link below by Monday, May 27, 2024, at 11:59 PM (Palau Time). Apply Now Can't apply for this program? Sign up here to be notified of future opportunities. “People just don’t know what’s beneath the water surface. If they don’t know, they don’t love it, and they won’t protect it.” — Veta Wade, Founder & Director of Fish ‘N Fins, Montserrat

< Back Tapas Dwivedi Product Manager, OVAI Tapas grew up playing cricket and badminton in the deserts of Rajasthan, India and went on to study Physics at Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani. Over the last 14 years, he has worked in fashion, travel, consulting, and fintech as a frontend developer, designer & a product manager. Additionally, he also founded 3 startups, including his current one (called "Closer") which is a card game where players ask each other questions to have better conversations. The principles he follows in product management and in everyday life are a blend of lessons he has learned from buddhism, stoicism, traveling and meditation. He is a certified divemaster, and loves to dive in the warm tropical waters of southeast Asia. He now lives in Berlin where he enjoys running, thinking, reading, and cooking. He cooks a mean curry, which normally heals mental and physical ailments of most people that consume it. Say hello to Tapas, if you crave yummy food or meaningful conversations.

Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment The 2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment is a baseline assessment of the technical and human capacity for deep-sea exploration and research in every coastal area with deep ocean worldwide. This assessment includes online survey and/or manual research data for 186 geographical areas divided into six global regions: Europe, Asia, Northern America, Africa, Oceania, and Latin America & the Caribbean. The results demonstrate the unique regional and subregional challenges and opportunities facing deep-sea research and exploration in each location. Read the Full Report Exploration and research in the 93% of our planet's ocean that lies deeper than 200 m is typically conducted by only a handful of countries with the required financial and personnel resources. Just how many countries actually have the capacity to access and work in the deep ocean? This knowledge is essential to make deep-sea exploration and research more inclusive and equitable. From 200 to nearly 11,000 meters below sea level, the deep sea encompasses the single largest—and arguably the most critical—biosphere on Earth. Globally, nearly 75% of all exclusive economic zones (EEZs) combined have water depths between 2,000 and 6,000 meters, making this a particularly critical depth range to access. ​ ​ Key Findings Many who consider deep-sea exploration & research important do not have deep-sea tools & technologies: Respondents for numerous subregions, particularly Micronesia, Melanesia, Western Africa, and Eastern Africa, felt that deep-sea exploration & research was considered important in their location but did not have access to the tools needed to do deep-sea work. In many places, there is expertise but not technology: In every subregion, respondents indicated that the presence of in-country individuals with deep-sea expertise exceeded the availability of deep-sea tools. More access to vessels, DSVs, sensors, and data tools would activate available expertise to conduct locally-led deep-sea exploration and research. More deep submergence vehicles are needed globally: Deep submergence vehicles were the technical capacity that had the lowest presence, access, and satisfaction worldwide. More access to lower-cost, easy-to-use technologies suitable for deep water would be transformative globally. Non-research assets could be available for deep ocean research: While vessels were the technical capacity with the most extensive presence worldwide, in general, vessels were the technical capacity to which respondents had the second-lowest access. Unlocking access to additional vessels for use in research would be transformational. Funding is the top challenge: Survey respondents identified funding as the single greatest challenge, followed by human capacity and knowledge, access to vessels, and access to deep submergence vehicles to undertake deep-sea research. Low-cost solutions are key to increasing access to the deep sea. Prioritizing deep-sea exploration is essential: Many respondents felt that their countries did not consider deep-sea research and exploration important. Making stronger internal cases for why deep-sea exploration is critical in each location could be beneficial in securing support. Tailored strategies are needed for each location: Better understanding the physical environment can help ensure the greatest return on investment. For example, in Central America, Melanesia, and Western Asia, 75% of all EEZs lie between 200 to 4,000 m, and all African EEZs are less than 6,000 m. Creating deep-ocean technologies and strategies tailored to each location would be more efficient than a one-size-fits-all approach. Detailed research and inclusion matter: The results of this study were more nuanced than expected. The assessment documented previously underreported details, from the available human capacity to possible vessel access. The very act of including and reaching out to people in locations often under-resourced and overlooked in many global studies created a community and a sense of inclusion that made the effort and detail of this report and future studies of its kind valuable in many ways. ​ ​ Everyone Has a Role to Play Everyone from marine scientists to machine learning engineers to business leaders has a role to play in supporting global deep-sea research and exploration efforts. Whether coding new tools, training new/young deep-sea researchers, or leading an expedition, it will take many skills to achieve these goals. We invite you to learn more about the Ocean Discovery League’s current projects and join our efforts. We will also continue to monitor changes in deep-sea capacity over the UN Ocean Decade and beyond by conducting the second Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment in 2025-2026 and a third in 2029-2030. Back to Projects Main "Having the technology is important but even more important is building capacity and long term technical training for staff to be able to use these tools not just to have them." – Survey Respondent for Iraq in Western Asia Project Gallery Previous Project

< Back Jessica Sandoval Director of Engineering Jessica is an avid ocean explorer, engineer, and scientist. With her Bachelor’s from MIT, Master’s and PhD from the University of California, San Diego, Jessica works in the fields of bioinspired robotics and deep-sea exploration technologies. She also explores the depths of the ocean as a contracted pilot of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). When Jessica is not science-ing, she writes children's books to inspire the next generation of explorers.

Board of Directors Ellen Blix Board Chair Ellen Blix is a partner at SignalFire, an early-stage venture capital manager based in San Francisco. She is the current Board Chair of Ocean Discovery League. Read More Peter Girguis Board Member Dr. Peter Girguis is a Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University. Read More Rafael Anta Board Member Rafael Anta is a Principal Specialist in the Competitiveness, Technology and Innovation Division at the Inter-American Development Bank. Read More Roderick MacLeod Board Treasurer Roderick MacLeod is a management consultant and investment advisor. Read More Katy Croff Bell Board Member Dr. Katy Croff Bell is a deep sea explorer who is passionate about developing new ways to better understand the ocean and make it more accessible. Read More Susan Poulton Board Secretary Susan Poulton is a strategy and digital media specialist. Her work focuses on digital products, strategic planning, fundraising, and communications. Read More