Student Spotlight

Courtney Kroymann, Marine Geology & Geophysics

 

 

 

Why did you choose to become an Oceanography major?

When I got out of high school I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and I spent several years figuring that out. During that time I took an Oceanography 101 class at a community college in Southern California and I became hooked. I had always enjoyed science and the ocean, so oceanography was a way to combine the two. I found the deep sea fascinating and the fact that many parts of the ocean are still not explored increased my interest. While many other fields have been explored and studied for years, Oceanography seems relatively new. The possibility and options of discovery are great; there are still many processes that need to be figured out in the ocean.

 

In what option (biological, physical, chemical, marine geology & geophysics) are you most interested?

I am interested in marine geology and geophysics, specifically seafloor sediments or what we like to call mud! Marine geology is really fun because I often get to play in mud and it’s considered my research or work.

 

Have you participated in field work?

the wonderful thing about the UW undergraduate Oceanography program is the many opportunities to study in the field. Most of my oceanography classes have included field trips aboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson, where we get to explore the Puget Sound and work with research equipment like CTD’s and coring devices. I have also been working in a sediment lab over the past year, with graduate students and professors.
Last summer as part of Dr. Julian Sach’s exploration seminar I travelled to the Marshall Islands to study coral and the effects of climate change on coral reefs. In the Marshall Islands we were able to see firsthand what is happening to these delicate ecosystems. Through coral surveys we were able to create a baseline on coral populations around Majuro. We also spent a lot of time with the Marshallese people educating them about what climate change will mean to them and their atoll nation. Overall this experience has really enriched my undergraduate studies, and I would recommend each student trying to find a study abroad program which interests them.

This past year, my senior year, has also given me a few field research experiences. For my senior capstone project we went up to Vancouver Island and studied in Barkley Sound. I also had the opportunity to take several graduate courses in my chosen field of marine sediments. Just this past April, I spent a week with Dr. Chuck Nittrouer and his lab group studying the Mississippi River delta and surrounding areas in southern Louisiana. I would say that if you are willing to go for them, the opportunities for field research and travel as an undergraduate are almost endless.

 

What are your plans after you graduate?

Now that I am a graduate, I plan on taking a year off to decide where I want to go. I am definitely thinking about graduate school and hope to spend more time in the field this summer.

 

What do you see yourself doing in the next two to five years?

In the next two years I could be starting graduate school or maybe working in my field. The same thing could be happening in five years, if I decide on graduate school! I am looking forward to finding a career that allows me to spend time on the ocean and to work with some amazing people.