Beyond the Blue: 2025 ROV and Mapping Shakedown

Shannon Hoy

Expedition Coordinator, NOAA Ocean Exploration

Shannon Hoy is the Expedition Coordinator Team Lead with NOAA Ocean Exploration. She has always had a love of the ocean and started going to sea as an undergraduate on numerous seafloor mapping missions. On two of these expeditions, she was a NOAA Ocean Exploration explorer-in-training on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer! Now she leads field expeditions aboard Okeanos Explorer using a variety of tools such as multibeam sonars and remotely operated vehicles to map and explore remote and/or poorly understood areas of our ocean. When not in the field, she focuses on improving NOAA Ocean Exploration's operational efficiency and effectiveness and works to improve the pace and quality of ocean mapping as an active participant in the global mapping community. Her specialty is in deepwater ocean mapping and she received a master’s degree in Earth Sciences: Ocean Mapping from the University of New Hampshire.

Trish Albano

Expedition Coordinator (in Training)

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.

Olivia Andrus-Drennan

Video Editor, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration

Olivia Andrus-Drennen graduated from Montana State University with a master’s of fine arts degree in science and natural history filmmaking and two bachelor’s degrees from Purdue University in wildlife biology and film/video studies. With these degrees, she has pursued her passion in creating science-based documentaries for companies all around the world such as The Marine Mammal Center, Marine Mammal Foundation, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and the American Chemical Society. When she isn't filming, Olivia spends the majority of her time hiking around her home in Bozeman, Montana.

Fernando Aragon

Technical Team Member, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration

Fernando Aragon graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. During his studies, he gained experience in several fields, including conceptual design, aerospace research, mechanical design, robotics, and software development. From these activities he was able to intern for NASA at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, present research at a national conference, and even co-author a technical paper in the Journal of the Astronautical Sciences. His most recent position was at the Field Robotics Laboratory (FRL), where he helped support operations, testing, and software development for two unmanned surface vehicles. From his time in FRL, he discovered a true passion for development and design of robotic systems. Originally from Colombia, Fernando enjoys outdoor activities and currently resides in State College, Pennsylvania.

Caitlin Bailey

Video Editor, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration

Caitlin Bailey became a member of the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration video team and started sailing aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in 2016. She is a "bi-polar" explorer, having been to both the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as a National Geographic Explorer. Caitlin is passionate about wildlife and sharing the deep sea and polar regions with a wide variety of audiences. She has a Master of Fine Arts in science and natural history filmmaking from Montana State University and a Bachelor of Science in animal biology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. When not at sea, Caitlin resides in San Antonio, Texas, where she enjoys SCUBA diving, hiking, and entertaining her labradoodle, Camie.

Roland Brian

Video Engineer, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration

Roland Brian brings 38 years of electronics and satellite experience, with 29 of those years focusing on television and video engineering specialization. Throughout his early years in television, Roland worked to hone his skills and experience for various television stations and remote broadcasters as well as national broadcasters ranging from CBS, PBS, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, ESPN, Fox Sports, and the Golf Channel. With a keen eye for precise high-quality, high-definition video, he really enjoys and helps bring the imagery to life for the viewers. Roland began his career in the U.S. Air Force where he worked as a satellite communications engineering technician with visions of working on the U.S. Space Station. He traded in that quest for one of deep-ocean exploration and sharing the beautiful imagery with the world. He has worked with NOAA Ocean Exploration since 2010 and plays an integral part in telepresence-enabled remotely operated vehicle (ROV) expeditions. He has also provided engineering design, integration, and operation services for other projects using various Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration (GFOE) and NOAA Ocean Exploration mobile telepresence systems. His duties aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer include operation and maintenance of the ship's telepresence and video and satellite systems, including those on ROVs Deep Discoverer and Seirios. Again, Roland’s experience embodies the breadth and depth of knowledge that GFOE and NOAA Ocean Exploration encourage. When not at sea, Roland enjoys life with his wife and family in sunny Sarasota, Florida.

James Delgado

Senior Vice President, SEARCH, Inc. (participating from shore)

James Delgado, Ph.D., is one of the world’s leading experts in maritime archaeology and heritage. Dr. Delgado joined SEARCH in 2017 as Senior Vice President and has over 40 years of professional experience. He is responsible for ensuring operational and research excellence, implementing strategic initiatives, and expanding the firm’s international footprint. Dr. Delgado also serves as a public speaker, international delegate, documentary host, and major project spokesperson. Prior to joining SEARCH, Dr. Delgado served as the Director of Maritime Heritage in the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries for NOAA for seven years, where he implemented heritage programs and active research in the nation’s waters, as well as promoted outreach and education on America’s underwater and marine heritage. Previously, he served a four-year term as President and CEO of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology, the world’s leading scientific and educational organization dedicated to the understanding of humanity’s seafaring history through the excavation and scientific study of shipwrecks. Dr. Delgado was the Executive Director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum in British Columbia, Canada, for 15 years, and he served as Maritime Historian and Head of the U.S. government’s Maritime Heritage Program for the National Park Service for four years in Washington.

Dr. Delgado will be joining the expedition from shore as a participant during dives focused on maritime heritage.

Jennifer Green

Data Manager, NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information

Jennifer Green is a data manager with NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information through the Northern Gulf Institute at Mississippi State University. She earned a Bachelor of Science in fisheries management from Delaware State University and a Master of Science in coastal ecology from the University of Southern Mississippi. She has over 15 years of research experience in passive acoustic telemetry, which focused on monitoring spatial and temporal movement patterns of various species, including: Atlantic horseshoe crab, Atlantic and Gulf sturgeon, striped bass, bull and sand tiger sharks, tripletail, and southern flounder. This will be Jennifer’s first expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer and she’s very excited to experience the adventure and learn new things. Jennifer resides in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. She enjoys outdoor activities, crafting, and gardening.

Art Howard

Video Editor, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration

For more than 30 years, Emmy-award winning photographer and producer Art Howard has helped viewers experience life through images from 50 countries and 7 continents. A native of North Carolina, Art has followed researchers aboard multiple deep-sea missions, documenting the excitement and challenges of exploration. Art uses the latest video technology to bring viewers as close as possible to life at sea, capturing both scientists and the marine life they seek to understand. Art has spent the last 11 years independently producing media for the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

Sean Kennison

Mechanical Engineer, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration

Sean Kennison first joined the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration in 2014 while earning his undergraduate degree at the Pennsylvania State University. He sailed on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer as part of the engineering team and assisted with various design projects throughout his senior year. Upon graduating at the top of his class with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in engineering mechanics, he joined the team full time. Sean regularly maintains the vehicles and continually works on improvements to keep them up-to-date with technological advances. He has gained invaluable experience and knowledge through the seasons, onshore and offshore, that has turned him into a versatile engineer. Initially starting as a passionate navigator, Sean has grown to become a skilled pilot and is a proven lead for the remotely operated vehicle expedition team.

Terry Kerby

Retired (participating from shore)

Terry Kerby, now retired, was operations director and chief pilot for the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL) from 1981 until 2019. Terry led HURL operations on expeditions throughout the Pacific with the submersibles Makalii, Pisces IV, and Pisces V from 1981 to 2017. Terry has had a passion for the ocean and ocean exploration since he was a boy, starting his submersible piloting career with the submersible STAR II in the South China Sea in 1979.

Terry continues his connection with the ocean with his two-mile reef care and maintenance swims off the island of Oahu. He’ll be joining the expedition from shore as a participant during dives focused on maritime heritage.

LT Abby Letts

Technical Operations Team Lead and Expedition Coordinator, NOAA Ocean Exploration

Lieutenant (LT) Abby Letts is a NOAA Corps officer who is currently serving as the Technical Operations Team Lead for NOAA Ocean Exploration. In this role, she assists with shoreside coordination and field operations on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. She attended Haverford College, graduating with a B.S. in geology and a B.A. in Spanish. She received an M.S. in Earth science from University of California, Santa Barbara, with a focus on paleoclimate. For her master's thesis, she analyzed trace elements and structural changes in speleothems to reconstruct the precipitation history of Central Asia. After graduate school, she was commissioned into the NOAA Corps and sailed for two years as a deck officer aboard Okeanos Explorer before joining NOAA Ocean Exploration for her current assignment.

Jon Mefford

Mechanical Engineer, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration

Jon Mefford holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Hawai‘i. He began his career working as a software test engineer on the Space Shuttle program for several years before moving to Hawai‘i to pursue his master's degree. During his time as a graduate student, he participated in a number of research expeditions aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer as a member of the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) team. This experience was invaluable to him as he worked on his degree, which focused on the design, development, and implementation of control systems for marine robotics. Since that time, Jon has spent more than eight years working as a test and integration engineer on the Orion Space Program, occasionally returning to support expeditions with the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration. He remains passionate about both space and deep-sea exploration and appreciates the many parallels that can be drawn between them. Jon currently resides in Denver, Colorado.

Jim Meyers

Systems Administrator, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration

Jim Meyers attended Williams College and received a bachelor’s degree in history. He has worked in the information technology field for over 20 years, including 19 years at various positions at Sea Research Foundation in Mystic, Connecticut. He is married with two adult children. Outside of work, he is an avid soccer fan and plans European vacations around match schedules.

Bobby Mohr

Electrical Engineer, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration

Bobby Mohr is a systems/robotics engineer specializing in autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicles. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics and graduated cum laude from Davidson College in 2009. Bobby started his career as an engineering technician with Greensea Systems where he was responsible for the design, development, and testing of autonomous underwater vehicle control systems. Bobby realized that he would enjoy the design-build process more if he was able to also pursue the challenges of making vehicles work successfully at sea. After serving on several projects at Greensea, where he specialized in electrical and software systems support, Bobby joined the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration (GFOE) as an electrical systems engineer. During his time at Greensea and now with GFOE, he has been one of the key electrical engineers on the development of the 6,000-meter-rated remotely operated vehicle system of Deep Discoverer and Seirios.

Sahara Rios-Bonilla

Knauss Fellow, NOAA Ocean Exploration

Sahara Ríos-Bonilla was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in oceanography. Last summer, she defended her second master’s degree in environmental science at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Her research focused on understanding marine debris transport and deposition from upstream sources to coastal environments, as well as the bioaccumulation of microplastics in fish guts. While Sahara’s primary focus is marine pollution and restoration, she has also contributed to a range of projects, including mariculture, coastal forecasting, nanomaterial development, and Sargassum hypoxia studies. In 2019, she volunteered aboard NOAA Ship Ronald Brown to assist in the Western Boundary Time Series. Currently, Sahara is a Knauss Fellow with NOAA Ocean Exploration, serving as a Deep-Sea Sampling Strategy Fellow, where she supports the development of informed and efficient sampling strategies for future collections. In her free time, Sahara enjoys nature, traveling, discovering new restaurants, making jewelry, and cuddling with her cat.

Chris Ritter

Remotely Operated Vehicle Team Lead, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration

Chris Ritter first joined the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration (GFOE) on the Cayman Rise Expedition in 2011, just prior to being hired full time by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). For the next three years, an informal NAVSEA-NOAA relationship allowed Chris to continue to participate in GFOE’s design, engineering, and offshore operations. Chris holds bachelor’s degrees in ocean engineering and aerospace engineering with a minor in mathematics from Virginia Tech. Chris has been a major contributor to GFOE’s design-build process and a tremendous asset to their offshore operations. He is a skilled navigator, pilot, and co-pilot and brings with him a level of enthusiasm that everyone around him appreciates and respects. In late 2014, Chris joined GFOE’s Mechanical Engineering team full time. He is enthusiastic about training the next generation and tackling new projects. Chris resides in Falls Church, Virginia.

Caitlin Ruby

Data Manager, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information

Caitlin Ruby is a data manager with NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information through the University of Colorado’s Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences. Caitlin always knew she would someday work in the ocean sciences, and has held positions with the Naval Oceanographic Office, NASA, the Naval Research Laboratory, and NOAA. She earned her bachelor's in geography from the University of Southern Mississippi and her master's degree in geospatial sciences from Mississippi State University. Her graduate research focused on improving the geospatial visualization of NOAA Ocean Exploration’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) video data. Caitlin is thrilled to work with such a wonderful group of data scientists, researchers, and explorers!

Levi Unema

Electrical Engineer, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration

Levi Unema is an Eagle Scout from Lynden, Washington. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering along with a Certificate in Electric Power Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Levi joined the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration (GFOE) in 2016 and designs, builds, operates, and maintains GFOE’s remotely operated vehicles. Since joining the team, he has acquired many technical skills in the satellite communication field, in addition to the broadcast video field. Levi sails on most remotely operated vehicle expeditions on Okeanos Explorer, satisfying the roles of electrical engineer, navigator, pilot, co-pilot, and sometimes VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) engineer. Levi resides in Newport, Rhode Island.

Danielle Warren

Mapping Watch Lead, NOAA Ocean Exploration

Danielle Warren is a contract mapping technician with the NOAA Ocean Exploration through the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). She has a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences/marine science and over eight years of sailing experience as a NOAA senior survey technician across NOAA’s fleet of oceanographic and fisheries research vessels. Her main areas of expertise include CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) operations, scientific data collection, and seafloor mapping. In her time with NOAA, she sailed seven ships and supported upwards of 30 scientific research missions while also spearheading training initiatives, shipboard metadata updates, and work transition programs to provide better work/life balance and training opportunities to current and future survey technicians. When not at work, Danielle can be found curled up with a good book at her favorite local coffee shop.

Chris Wright

Data Engineer, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration

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. Recently relocating back to the East Coast, Chris joined the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration (GFOE) data team in early 2019 as one of the newest members of the organization. In 2019, he completed his first expedition aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer and is extremely excited about continuing the journey to explore the oceans around the world. When he isn't sailing on Okeanos Explorer, he’s busy working in GFOE’s Quonset office planning, designing, and implementing data solutions to help refine and mature its base of operations for ocean exploration. Chris and his family currently reside in Newport, Rhode Island.