What it Means to be part of DEEPEND

Hello,

My name is Zyan Brown, and I am part of Dr. Tamara Frank’s Deep-Sea Biology Lab. This was my first time on the R/V Point Sur with the DEEPEND crew, and honestly, I was very nervous and anxious going into this, not knowing what to expect. But what an incredible experience it has been. Being able to contribute to this ongoing research, supported by the NOAA RESTORE Science Program, was both meaningful and fulfilling.

Caption: First Day of Sorting with the DEEPEND Crew

From day one, I felt welcomed and felt the camaraderie and support that made this expedition special. With each passing day, my confidence grew, fueled by the encouragement of my peers who made me feel like a true part of the DEEPEND family. 

As part of my work, I collected quantitative data on various krill and shrimp species in the Gulf. This included identifying species, sorting specimens, and recording their abundance during our trawls. Through this hands-on experience, I gained a deeper understanding of the biodiversity in deep-sea ecosystems and contributed valuable data to support long-term ecology research and conservation efforts. 

Over these past two weeks, I’ve learned so much about the fascinating species that inhabit the Gulf and the deep-sea ecosystem. Moreover, I have made personal connections with everyone on the R/V Point Sur and want to thank them!

Z