Beyond the Blue: Palau Mapping
Meet the Palau Junior Regional Advisors
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During the 2025 Beyond the Blue: Palau Mapping series of expeditions, NOAA Ocean Exploration is working closely with the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) — the organization tasked with the administration of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS), as well as the coordination of related research, outreach, and education activities. In addition to increasing mapping coverage of unexplored areas of the sanctuary, this summer’s expeditions presented a unique and meaningful opportunity to build local capacity in deep-sea science and exploration. Partnering to train Palauan students and early career researchers, NOAA Ocean Exploration and PICRC are working together to prepare the next generation of ocean explorers and leaders.
As part of this effort, PICRC hosted five junior regional advisors (JRAs) in both onshore and offshore activities as part of a 9-week workforce development opportunity. For five weeks onshore in Koror, Palau, the group shadowed PICRC researchers and outreach staff, gained hands-on experience with environmental DNA (eDNA) sample processing, supported aquarium operations, and launched individual research projects focused on the sanctuary’s deep-sea ecosystems. They also joined virtual webinars with NOAA Ocean Exploration staff and partners to learn about the broader scope of NOAA’s exploration efforts.
Following their onshore experience with PICRC, the JRAs served as guest scientists aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer from July 22 to August 11, during the first of three NOAA Ocean Exploration mapping expeditions in Palauan waters. At sea, they supported eDNA sample collection to help PICRC monitor marine species in the sanctuary, learned ship operations, and gained hands-on experience in seafloor mapping alongside NOAA Ocean Exploration personnel. As part of the larger capacity building goals of this collaboration, the junior advisors will also write technical reports and help develop educational materials based on the expedition, further amplifying the reach and impacts of this initiative.
Read on to meet the participants, learn what excited them about this opportunity, and hear their reflections on this unique experience.
Alik Ulechong
Alii (hello), my name is Alik Kazuma Ulechong. I am an avid surfer and a computer technician in the Computer Services Division at Palau Community College.
I applied to the JRA opportunity hoping to contribute to our knowledge about the PNMS and the deep seas around Palau. I was excited to learn about the different systems aboard a research vessel given my interest in the tools and technology that make this kind of research possible. I was specifically interested in getting a closer look at the remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) Deep Discoverer and Seirios, working with water samples collected by the CTD rosette, and observing the multi-beam sonar systems at work. This was also an opportunity to sail on the open ocean, which was a new experience for me.
I also enjoyed having conversations with the crew and learning about the different parts of the ship like the bridge (where the ship is controlled), the engine room (where the ship gets its power and propulsion), and mission control — my personal favorite — where ROV dives, CTD launches, and mapping operations are monitored and controlled. I hope to use what I learned during this experience to increase our capacity for deep-sea research in the PNMS, Palau, and the broader region.
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Sean Anjelo Maluchluw
My name is Sean Anjelo N. Maluchluw, and I was a guest scientist aboard Okeanos Explorer. I am currently a student at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, majoring in international relations with a minor in Chinese. A fun fact about me is that I also love taking pictures and being in them!
I applied for the JRA opportunity to learn more about my country’s oceanography and how it informs my identity as a Pacific Islander. Understanding oceanography, maritime heritage, and the PNMS helps me stay connected with Palau’s culture of preservation, environmental action, and the need to keep our island home safe.
In addition to supporting eDNA collections, I was most excited to learn about ocean mapping and processing. During this experience, I was able to make my first map of Palau and the surrounding deep sea using ArcGIS Pro. I hope to use what I have learned in this opportunity and apply it to my major through policy making.
Moreover, this experience has been very fulfilling in terms of my personal growth in connection with my culture and history as a Palauan. When comparing cetacean observations to similar carvings found in Palauan meeting houses (bai) or modern fish aggregation devices and traditional ways of Palauan fishing, it’s striking how much similarity there is between modern technology and the old ways of doing things. Finding those connections helps me stay in touch with my home.
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Whittney Elmer
Alii! My name is Whittney Elmer and I was one of the junior regional advisors aboard Okeanos Explorer this summer! I am Palauan, however, for most of my life I have lived in diaspora, away from Palau. I was born and raised in Guam, while also living for short periods in Palau and California. I earned my bachelor’s degree in environmental science at the University of Redlands. Currently, I am still living in California, where I work for Esri — a software company that specializes in mapping and spatial analytics.
My love for my ancestry and heritage, and growing up in the Pacific, led to a lifelong interest in marine science. When I heard of the JRA opportunity, I applied immediately because it connected several parts of my life and identity that I wanted to continue exploring: my heritage as a Palauan, my love for marine science and exploration, and my current career in geographic information systems (GIS).
Fun fact: I minored in human-animal studies because I’m endlessly fascinated by our relationship and connection to other creatures. As we worked alongside staff feeding animals at the Palau Aquarium this summer, I formed a very unexpected bond with an octopus!
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McQuinnley Mesengei
Alii! My name is McQuinnley Mesengei, but most people just call me MQ. I’m from the island nation of Palau and currently a senior at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, where I’m working toward a bachelor’s degree in marine biology. I’ve always had a deep passion for the ocean, and I’m still exploring which specific area of marine science I want to focus on. Before this expedition, I worked for three years as a research assistant at PICRC, where I focused mainly on nearshore and coastal ecosystems. I applied for the JRA opportunity because I wanted to expand my knowledge and gain hands-on experience in deep-sea research — something I’ve had little chance to do before. For this expedition, I was especially interested in learning how factors like oxygen and temperature influence biodiversity in deep-sea environments.
One of the biggest highlights of my time aboard Okeanos Explorer has been realizing just how vast and unexplored the ocean still is. Being part of the mapping team really opened my eyes to how little we’ve actually charted — every new line we drew felt like a small but meaningful step toward understanding what’s out there. I’ve learned so much along the way, like how scientists use GIS to visualize data, how sonar mapping works, and the technology behind the ship’s deep-sea exploration tools. It was an eye-opening experience that’s helped me better understand how ocean science actually happens in the field.
I hope to bring this experience back home and use it to support future research and ocean conservation efforts in Palau. Whether through science, education, or outreach, I want to give back to my community and help protect the ocean ecosystems that have shaped my life. At the same time, this was an opportunity to explore the many different paths within marine science, so I can begin narrowing down what I’d like to focus on in my future studies and career.
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Masasinge “Singe” Hideos
Alii, alii! My name is Masasinge T. “Singe” Hideos, and I’m currently a first-year master’s student at Rochester Institute of Technology studying environmental science. Prior to continuing my education, I spent three years at PICRC as a communication officer and six months as a researcher.
This summer, we learned so much about deep-sea environments. In the weeks leading up to the 21-day expedition, we had the chance to learn more about the different technologies used to conduct deep-sea research, including eDNA sampling and how it can help us understand the biodiversity that exists within the PNMS.
We’ve also learned about how seafloor mapping can help further our understanding of the deep ocean, specifically within Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), 80% of which comprises the PNMS. A huge portion of Palau’s EEZ — and the vast majority of the global seafloor — hasn’t yet been mapped, and I was very excited to join this expedition to map Palau’s unknown deepwaters and to develop skills that will help me in my educational endeavors and future career. I also looked forward to this expedition as it was my first trip to the PNMS.
Fun fact: whales are one of my favorite ocean creatures — I’m fascinated by their intelligence and the way they build strong family bonds. I’ve also developed a personal interest in photography, which I pursue during my free time outside school and work.
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