Amanda Bittinger

Tell us about your work/ research. What kinds of things do you do?

I began acquiring data for nautical charts at NOAA, then private industry. I expanded in the freelance industry, where I have been able to participate in a variety of survey types including geophysical, cable route, pipelines, munitions, etc. Predominantly, I have worked with multibeam sonars, but I have also had the opportunity to work with several over sonar types across a number of different manned and unmanned platforms all over the world including but not limited to the North and South Pacific Ocean, Eastern Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, and Red Sea.
 

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

My initial interest in remote sensing was sparked by satellite oceanography. Pictures of the ocean from space are so beautiful and they hold so many unknowns.
 

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

Family and friends encouraged me that I can do anything.
 

What element of your work/ study do you think is the most fascinating?

The most exciting part is to find or explore new unknown features, objects, or locations. Sometimes you can go days, weeks, months, years without finding anything of significance and then it just seems to appear out of no where like a shooting star.
 

How did you get involved with Ocean Exploration Trust? How did you become part of the expedition team?

I found OET through network connections in the ocean exploration community at NOAA.
 

What other jobs led you to your current career?

Early in my career, I worked as an intern with the Lancaster County GIS Department to ground truth hyperspectral and LANDSAT satellite data. When finishing my Master's degree, I was able to work as a intern for the Louis Berger Group to research and develop coastal initiatives supporting marine protected area development and ecologically sustainable resorts, develop support documents for marine protected area development (carrying capacity assessments, coral reef education, and vessel maintenance), and develop documents and policies to support and sustain healthy ecosystem involvement in developing Sri Lanka for ecotourism.
 

What are your degrees and certifications?

Bachelor of Science in Oceanography and Biology Minor - Millersville University, 2002

Master of Science Coastal Management - NOVA Southeastern University, 2008

GIS Certificate - University of California, 2022

FOET and STCW Safety Training
 

What are your hobbies?

Current extracurriculars include volleyball, trail running, yoga, and SUP.
 

What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?

There are resources everywhere, if you look for them.