Navigating Internship Waters and Beyond

How Ophelia Christoph’s time aboard E/V Nautilus opened doors to broader waters and opportunities

When Ophelia Christoph first stepped foot on E/V Nautilus in the summer of 2023, she was no stranger to oceanic mapping. As a Ph.D. candidate in geological sciences at the University of Delaware, Christoph studies the geological implications of sediments on the continental shelf of the Mid-Atlantic Bight for offshore wind development. 

“Basically, the east coast has fairly good bathymetry data, but in order to put a foundation down you also need sub-bottom data, which tells you about what’s beneath the surface of the seafloor,” explained Christoph. 

Building a successful career also requires a solid foundation – and that’s exactly what Christoph did. 

After completing a 12-day transit from British Columbia to Hawaiʻi in 2023 as a seafloor mapping intern, Christoph returned to Nautilus in 2024 as a contracted seafloor mapper, extending beyond her internship to further pursue a profession in ocean science. 

Credit

Ocean Exploration Trust

“The internship was the highlight of my life,” said Christoph. “I believe the Ocean Exploration Trust made me a better candidate for my career in marine science by allowing me to see the mapping process from start to finish. The internship was not only amazing for me professionally but I believe I made lifelong friends in the process.” 

As a Science & Engineering Internship Program participant, Christoph was introduced to the programs and techniques employed by the OET Corps of Exploration, including QPS software like Qimera. Nautilus is equipped with an acoustic echosounder that simultaneously collects bathymetric, seafloor backscatter, and water column backscatter data to enable the identification of areas or features of interest and the production of high-quality seafloor maps at depths to 7,000 meters (23,000 feet). As an intern, Christoph was tasked with learning these systems for the first time. 

Now, as an at-sea contractor, her role has shifted. 

“When I was a seafloor mapping intern, I mostly handled quality control of the multibeam data acquisition, but as a contractor, I have slightly different tasks and feel more of a sense of responsibility because it is not my first time aboard Nautilus,” said Christoph. 

During NA162, a seafloor mapping mission to bring the ship back to the Central Pacific for subsequent expeditions of the 2024 field season, Christoph stands one eight-hour watch each day. The mapping data that she and the rest of the mapping team fill in gaps in seabed mapping within and beyond the U.S. EEZ and thereby support priorities of Seabed 2030, the Ocean Networks Canada Strategic Plan, and the US National Strategy for Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization. This work is foundational to understanding the global ocean. 

Credit

Ocean Exploration Trust

Christoph says that her time at sea has changed her life’s course. After returning from her first expedition in 2023, she says that people were fascinated by her experience aboard the ship, which led to her participating in fieldwork with the marine robotics lab group at the University of Delaware. Her work has brought her to various projects, from assisting with mapping of artificial reefs to offshore wind turbine sites, and many others. Christoph has also been asked to attend research cruises that, paired with her other experiences, have expanded her network with those involved in marine mapping. 

“Sailing on Nautilus shaped the trajectory of my career and connected me to all of the opportunities out there in academia, government, or industry,” she said. 

As for future interns, Christoph has simple – yet pertinent – advice. 

“Take chances, if something seems interesting to you, apply for it. You never know where life will take you, even if you think you have a plan all laid out!” 

To learn more about Christoph, read our Meet the Explorer Q&A or check out her interview with the University of Delaware, Summer at Sea.