Beyond the Blue: Palau Mapping

Trish Albano is an expedition coordinator with NOAA Ocean Exploration. Prior to taking on this role, Trish spent three years as the Internship Program Coordinator for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in support of NOAA Ocean Exploration, facilitating experiential learning opportunities that train the next generation of ocean explorers and developing a keen interest in deep ocean science and exploration. She holds a Master of Science in marine ecosystems and society and an undergraduate degree in marine and atmospheric science, both from the University of Miami. Before joining the NOAA Ocean Exploration team in 2020, Trish conducted research on coastal and pelagic sharks in Miami, the Bahamas, and South Africa as part of the University of Miami Shark Research and Conservation Program. Trish is originally from South Florida, and now resides in Washington DC. In her free time, you can find her traveling to new places, camping, hiking, or paddling in the river with her rescue pup, Mahi.

Treyson (Trey) Gillespie lives in Charleston, South Carolina, and holds a bachelor’s degree in geology and environmental geosciences and a master’s degree in environmental and sustainability studies from the College of Charleston. While there, Trey completed the BEnthic Acoustic Mapping & Survey (BEAMS) program, where he gained experience processing and analyzing multibeam bathymetric data for applied scientific research. As a result, Trey has worked with a variety of international and domestic organizations such as Seabed 2030, Geological Survey Ireland, the INFOMAR Project, the U.S. federal government (as a NOAA explorer-in-training on multiple expeditions), and aboard several University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) vessels in support of oceanographic science and as a mentor to undergraduate students and interns. Since 2019, Trey has worked with academic, commercial, and governmental vessels to map our global ocean in support of the greater scientific community. Most recently, Trey has taken an associate scientist role with the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and now serves as a member of the technical operations team for NOAA Ocean Exploration.

Sam Cuellar is an expedition coordinator with NOAA Ocean Exploration and an underwater archaeologist who has spent over a decade in ocean exploration. With three years at NOAA Ocean Exploration and six previously with Oceaneering, International, Sam specializes in deepwater archaeology, mission and survey planning, and the collection and interpretation of numerous types of geophysical data from oceanographic systems, including autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles, towed sensors, and novel one-off technologies. His current research focuses on using atypical technologies to detect and characterize deep ocean cultural heritage sites, namely shipwrecks, and the development of improved archaeological methodologies at depths unreachable by divers. As an archaeologist, Sam has had the fortune of investigating abandoned World War II Emergency Fleet Corporation ships in a Texas river, participating in the excavation of a wrecked 17th-century Venetian merchantman carrying goods for the Ottoman Sultan in Croatia, and searching for the lost ships of Hernán Cortés along the Gulf Coast of Mexico. At NOAA Ocean Exploration, Sam has led expeditions to the far reaches of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, up and down the West Coast of the United States, and throughout the Pacific, including recently to the furthest extents of Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary and some of the most remote environments on Earth. When not at sea, Sam can be found on long bike rides, backpacking, and seeking out live music around Washington, DC.

Neah Baechler is a member of the NOAA Ocean Exploration Technical Operations Team with a multidisciplinary background in seafloor mapping, GIS, and marine geology on crewed and uncrewed platforms and a career focus in ocean exploration and sustainability. She graduated from the College of Charleston Benthic Acoustic Mapping and Sonar (BEAMS) program with a degree in geology in 2015 and launched her hydrographic career as an explorer-in-training aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer shortly after. She was a contractor predominantly on Okeanos Explorer and Exploration Vessel Nautilus, working with Kongsberg mapping systems and navigating for remotely operated vehicle dives until she joined Saildrone in 2022 as the lead surveyor for bathymetric data collection on uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). Neah was most recently the bathymetry operations manager at Saildrone, shaping drone capabilities and bathymetric procedures and pushing the envelope on USV capability. When she’s not mapping the seafloor, you can find Neah in the garden, playing outside around her hometown of Portland, Oregon, and painting moody water colors.

Jeanine Brantschen is an early career fellow with Stanford’s Center for Ocean Solutions, where she focuses on increasing our capacity to learn about aquatic biodiversity in data-deficient habitats by developing environmental DNA (eDNA) technologies. As an undergraduate, Jeanine studied molecular and cell biology at ETH Zurich in Switzerland before shifting her focus to ecology and evolution with a specialty in aquatic ecosystems for her master’s degree. For her doctorate at the Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology and the University of Zurich, she analyzed eDNA data for biodiversity monitoring as part of a federal water quality assessment project. After completing her doctorate, she worked as a lab project manager at SimplexDNA AG, a start-up based at ETH Zurich that aims to make eDNA biodiversity data globally accessible and interoperable. She worked on a variety of projects spanning different ecosystems, and interacted closely with researchers, conservation practitioners, and environmental agencies. This experience deepened her understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with translating eDNA-based biodiversity assessments into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders. In her current role at the Center for Ocean Solutions, she continues to explore a longstanding fascination with how we measure and interpret diversity across levels of biological organization and habitat gradients in the National Marine Sanctuary in Monterey Bay, and beyond.

Collin Closek is a staff scientist at the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (COS) at Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station. Collin’s research background includes development of technologies that reduce barriers to access as well as applying molecular and ecological methods to determine the health and physiological state of marine organisms in aquaculture, coastal, and open ocean systems. He serves as principal investigator on two environmental DNA (eDNA)-focused projects in Monterey Bay, California, and the Republic of Palau; co-leading the Palau eDNA Project with the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC). Collin leads data and technology initiatives at COS and also serves as the co-design and low-cost technology manager at Synchro, a consortium of institutes that accelerates ocean technology solutions.

Adrienne Copeland is the competitive grant program manager for NOAA Ocean Exploration, and a physical scientist who oversees the office’s biological acoustic priorities. She specializes in the use of active and passive acoustic collection methods to understand pelagic predator-prey dynamics. Adrienne received her bachelor’s degree in biology and a certificate in mathematical biology from Washington State University, and her doctorate in zoology with a marine biology specialization from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Her undergraduate and graduate research ranged from single-celled parasite genetics to mammalian behavior, but all of her diverse research projects employed mathematical tools to understand biological principles. Adrienne has designed and directed several at-sea research projects and has served as chief scientist on six expeditions. For this expedition, she will lead the calibration of the ship’s scientific echosounders — a tool used to explore the water column, which, by volume, is the largest unexplored biome on the planet.

Anna is in her fifth season of supporting NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer missions as an independent contractor specializing in hydrographic survey and deep-sea mapping. In addition to scientific missions, she has completed over 60,000 nautical miles at sea on her own sailing vessel, which has allowed her to combine technical knowledge of sonar systems with a practical understanding of undertaking work at sea. She holds a bachelor’s degree in ocean science from the University of Plymouth and a postgraduate certificate in hydrographic survey from the University of New Hampshire. Anna is currently based in Portugal, where she enjoys life on the coast with her family.

Brian Doros is a television broadcast engineer who was born in Long Branch, New Jersey. He attended college in San Diego, California, focusing on television production, broadcast electronics, and technical maintenance in broadcasting. His career path first led him to employment at IBM/MCA Video Laser Disc Company in Costa Mesa, California, working in research and development in the early days of optical laser disc, then to Los Angeles, where he specialized in film for television post-production. The next several years were spent working in the Hollywood post-production industry at Paramount Pictures, MGM/Lorimar Telepictures, 20th Century Fox, NFL Films, and Sony Broadcast Company North America, contributing to his 30 years of experience in television post-production and broadcast systems integration. After Hollywood, Brian worked in the field, traveling and upgrading network television facilities to digital broadcasting capabilities during the analog to digital conversion. He now has moved on to less broadcast traditional applications of his background working in his current position.

Hayley Drennon is a marine scientist and ocean mapping specialist whose fascination with the ocean began in the marshes and tidepools of Charleston, South Carolina. At the College of Charleston, she discovered seafloor mapping through the BEnthic Acoustic Mapping and Survey (BEAMS) Program, earning a bachelor’s degree in marine biology and geology, and blending a love of living systems with Earth’s physical framework. She spent seven years at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, including five as a senior research assistant with the Ferrini Data Collaboratory where she worked on global efforts such as the Global Multi-Resolution Topography synthesis, the Marine Geoscience Data System, and the Nippon Foundation–GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project. She also managed submersible data as a guest investigator at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Her work focused on bathymetric data curation, synthesis, and habitat characterization, linking global mapping with applied marine science. Committed to mentorship and science communication, Hayley helped develop Lamont’s Girl Talk Program, trained students in seafloor data processing, and connected with classrooms across the globe through ship-to-shore interactions. She sees science as a story revealed piece by piece, each discovery expanding our understanding of the planet. Now based in Seattle, she continues to support exploration and research that connect the mysteries of the seafloor to the larger narrative of Earth.

Whittney Elmer is a Palauan who was born and raised on Guam, where she’s spent most of her life. She earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science at the University of Redlands in California, where she resides today. Currently, Whittney works at ESRI as part of the Professional Services Department. While aboard Okeanos Explorer, Whittney will contribute to the Palau International Coral Reef Center’s (PICRC) mission to better understand the Palau National Marine Sanctuary through environmental DNA sample collection and processing, as well as assisting with seafloor mapping. As a Palauan living in diaspora, this unique experience not only affords Whittney to the opportunity to learn more about deep sea-science and mapping, but also allows her to feel more connected to her heritage through her work in the PNMS.

Daniel Freitas is from Rochester, New York. He worked for NOAA as a general vessel assistant for over three years in the augment pool while attending Coastal Carolina University, where he studied marine biology and applied mathematics. Over the last eight years, he has worked in the deck, engineering, and survey departments aboard many NOAA vessels before taking a permanent position aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. For the last several years, he has worked as an independent contractor on Okeanos Explorer via the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, supporting the NOAA Ocean Exploration mapping team. His time aboard consists of acting as a mapping watch lead, helping train and direct explorers-in-training, and working with the senior survey technician and other crew members to ensure the ship’s operations are completed.

Masasinge “Singe” T. Hideos is a first-year master’s student of environmental science at Rochester Institute of Technology. He graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo with a bachelor’s in geography and environmental studies in 2020. Prior to graduate school, he spent three years at Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) as a communication officer and six months as a researcher. During his time in PICRC, Singe hosted PICRC’s bi-weekly radio show “Berius el Chais,” showcasing PICRC’s research and education efforts to local stakeholders, and organizing outreach and K-12 education activities. As a researcher, Singe joined National Geographic’s Pristine Seas expedition in Palau in 2024, implementing PICRC’s mandate within the Palau National Marine Sanctuary by collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) samples and building capacity for other offshore research methods. Aboard Okeanos Explorer, Singe is serving as a junior regional advisor. He will contribute to PICRC’s ongoing research on eDNA and learn about seafloor mapping and how these technologies can advance our understanding of the deep ocean, specifically within Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone, 80% of which comprises the Palau National Marine Sanctuary.

Logan Kline is an operations support analyst with NOAA Ocean Exploration. Logan holds a Master of Science in ecology and environmental science from the University of Maine and a Bachelor of Science in environmental science and policy from the University of Maryland, College Park. For her graduate work, Logan investigated the efficacy of an artificial intelligence algorithm designed to detect and identify seabirds in plane-based imagery of Maine’s coastal islands. She has been involved with NOAA in multiple capacities, including as an Ernest F. Hollings scholar interning at the NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center and as a Sea Grant Knauss Fellow in NOAA Ocean Exploration. Logan is very interested in the intersection of emerging technologies and wildlife monitoring; she has experience in remote sensing, geographic information systems, computer vision, uncrewed aerial vehicles, and passive acoustics.

Mashkoor Malik has served as a physical scientist with NOAA Ocean Exploration since 2008. Mashkoor holds a M.S. in ocean mapping and Ph.D. in natural resources and Earth science systems from the University of New Hampshire. Mashkoor’s work with NOAA Ocean Exploration includes a diverse portfolio ranging from expedition coordination, ocean exploration data management, cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) implementation. Since 2021, he has served as the chief of the office’s Science and Technology Division, overseeing ocean exploration competitive grants, marine archeology, technology, and data portfolios.

Sean Anjelo Maluchluw is a student at Saint Joseph’s University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in arts with a concentration in international relations. Sean Anjelo is interested in being an environmental diplomat and hopes to use his skills to create environmental policies back in his home country, Palau. Sean Anjelo also loves photography and enjoys meeting new people and learning new things

Rachel is chief of NOAA Ocean Exploration’s expedition and exploration division. She also serves as the NOAA co-chair of the interagency working group on ocean exploration and characterization, which falls under the National Ocean Mapping Exploration and Characterization (NOMEC) council. Before joining NOAA Ocean Exploration, she worked for NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey for 12 years, including six years as the chief of the customer affairs branch. 

A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, she also holds a master’s degree in geosciences from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, as well as a master’s degree in ocean mapping and IHO-Category A certification from the University of New Hampshire, Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center. In her spare time, she adventures around the world and at home with her husband and three children.

McQuinnley “MQ” Mesengei is a college senior from the Republic of Palau currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. MQ has three years of experience as a research assistant at the Palau International Coral Reef Center, and both his academic and research work has primarily focused on coastal and nearshore ecosystems. While he has had some exposure to deep-sea science, this expedition provides a rare and valuable opportunity to deepen his understanding and gain more hands-on experience in offshore research. Aboard Okeanos Explorer, MQ is serving as a junior regional advisor, supporting the scientific mission by assisting with environmental DNA sample collection and participating in seafloor mapping operations during watch shifts. This expedition offers a meaningful opportunity to contribute to collaborative ocean science while also strengthening connections within the broader scientific and research community. Outside of research, MQ enjoys spending time on the water, whether scuba diving, fishing, or simply exploring Palau’s rich marine environment. Growing up in an island nation, the ocean has always been a central part of his life, shaping both his identity and his passion for marine conservation.

Nicole Miller joined NOAA Ocean Exploration as the NOAA ‘Omics Coordinator in 2023. In this role, she supports NOAA Research and NOAA Ocean Exploration efforts in strategic implementation of ‘omics technologies to meet mission priorities. During the Beyond the Blue: Palau Mapping 3 expedition, Nicole will conduct water/environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling processes and support research collaborations among the organizations represented onboard. Prior to joining NOAA, Nicole spent three and a half years within the medical device industry. She received both her Master’s of Science in Ecology and her Bachelor’s of Science in Microbiology from the University of Florida.

Jessica (Jess) Nation is a multibeam bathymetry data manager with NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, working out of the office in Boulder, Colorado. She works with the NOAA fleet, Academic Research Fleet, and various ships around the world to archive and make seafloor mapping data available to the public. Outside of work, she enjoys skiing, backpacking, diving, reading, and traveling.

Garret O’Donnell is a 2025 John A. Knauss marine policy fellow serving as NOAA Ocean Exploration’s science communication fellow. His work focuses on data preservation, grant lifecycle proceedings, and developing coverage for federally funded projects and remotely operated vehicle activities. Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, Garret earned his junior open water scuba license at the age of 12. He eventually went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in marine science from the University of Florida in 2021, and subsequently held technical positions at institutions including the Florida Museum of Natural History, Friday Harbor Laboratories, and the Smithsonian Marine Station. In 2022, he moved to the Pacific where he began his master’s degree and worked as a graduate research assistant at the University of Guam. In June 2025, he successfully defended his thesis on the population genetic trends of massive Porites corals in the Mariana Islands. He was then sponsored by Guam Sea Grant to work for NOAA through the Knauss fellowship. As both a scientist and communicator, Garret aims to combine his expertise in marine invertebrate taxonomy, emergent genomic technologies, and deep-ocean science to enhance public understanding of ocean life.

Evelyn “Ikelau” Otto is the chief researcher within the research department of the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC), where she’s worked for the past 10 years. Ikelau received her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Chaminade University of Honolulu and her master’s degree in biology, chemistry, and marine science from the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan. As the senior regional advisor for the first Beyond the Blue: Palau Mapping expedition, Ikelau is leading the collection of environmental DNA samples and supervising the junior regional advisor team. Outside of work, Ikelau loves to spend her time in and around the water either fishing or outrigger paddling.

Chris Romsos is the datapresence systems engineer for the Regional Class Research Vessel (RCRV) Project at Oregon State University where he contributed to the scientific design and specifications for the RCRVs and led the development of the CORIOLIX data system. Chris now works with the vessel transition team and supports CORIOLIX in the U.S. academic and NOAA research fleets. Chris earned a B.S. in environmental resource management from The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) and an M.S. in marine resource management from Oregon State. Before joining the RCRV project, Chris worked for the Active Tectonics and Seafloor Mapping Lab at Oregon State where he specialized in geographic information systems and seabed mapping for marine habitat research and management needs.

Gretchen is a management analyst for NOAA Ocean Exploration, where she works on office-wide initiatives like the Beyond the Blue campaign and focuses on programmatic and policy issues that cross the spectrum of the office. She was a 2023 John A. Knauss marine policy fellow at the NOAA Research front office, where she supported the NOAA Research chief of staff and the executive leadership team, and also worked as an executive secretary for the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (SOST) and the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration and Characterization (NOMEC) Council. Gretchen earned a master’s in marine science from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, where her thesis focused on the biogeochemical cycles occurring in mangrove ecosystems. While pursuing her master’s degree, she worked as the education and outreach specialist for the Marine Environmental Education Center where she educated the public about marine conservation and cared for the two resident sea turtles who lived on site. Gretchen received her bachelor’s in marine biology from the University of Maine.

Felipe Triana is an independent researcher contracted by NOAA for cetacean studies. His previous experience has included work with all of the NOAA Fisheries Science Centers apart from the Alaska center.

Alik Ulechong was born in Palau and grew up in Saipan. He earned his degree in information technology at Palau Community College, where he works as a computer technician in the Computer Services Division. While aboard Okeanos Explorer, he will participate in environmental DNA sample collection and processing, and assist with seafloor mapping. He is interested in exploring technologies that can help build capacity for ocean research in Palau and the surrounding region.

Chris Wright holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Mary Washington and a Master of Business Administration from Rollins College. After graduation, he worked as a network and systems administrator and engineer in the hospitality industry in the Northeast and Mountain West for more than 15 years. He completed his first expedition aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in 2019, and remains extremely excited about continuing the journey to explore ocean basins around the world. Chris and his family currently reside in Newport, Rhode Island.

Rodney Yoshida is a geographic information system (GIS) analyst with the Palau Automated Land and Resource Information System (PALARIS) Office under the Ministry of Finance. In this role, he supports geographic data management and analysis to strengthen land and resource planning in Palau. In his free time, Rodney enjoys spear fishing and playing volleyball, and prioritizes time with family and friends.