Daveenah Guise

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

As a seafloor mapping intern on this expedition, I will be assisting scientists and educators in gathering data about uncharted seafloor terrain. The data we’ll be collecting will be in higher resolution than previously available using an assortment of technologies like sonar and multibeam echosounders (MBES). In the past, I’ve studied bottlenose dolphin pods and coral reef health off the coast of Belize as well as various other experiences in conservation and biology. Currently, I work in biomedical research at Northwestern University. 

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

In college, I took a geology class where I learned about seafloor geography and how much it impacts the oceans and life on land. I was immediately interested in what else there was to be learned about what goes on down there and what happened millions of years ago to give the seafloor its current terrain. I knew that working in the field would show me more than I could learn from any textbook, so I’m thrilled to be able to do just that on this expedition. 

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

I had a teacher in high school who taught my AP Environmental Science class. Every summer, he would take us students to go camping and release endangered baby alligator snapping turtles into the Ohio River. He gave me the opportunity to have my first hands-on experiences learning about environmental science and conservation. Taking his class made me even more sure that I wanted to work in the natural world. My loved ones also encourage me to keep taking steps toward what I want to do and not give up.

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

I love that there is still so much to learn about our oceans. I have no doubt that there are more sustainable ways of living that we could learn about from studying the ocean and I highly value being part of a mission to discover the unknown about our world. I also love the interconnectedness of it. Evolutionarily, life originated from the oceans, so to be able to better understand the environment where life came from would help to answer other questions we may have.

How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?

I first discovered Ocean Exploration Trust in high school after watching YouTube videos of E/V Nautilus exploring the deep sea. I thought the videos were really interesting and tuned in to the channel regularly from there. More recently, I explored the Nautilus Live website for more information on what the organization does and if there were any ways to get involved. I saw that there were internship opportunities and applied. I submitted my application which consisted of three essays and a transcript. Afterward, I was contacted for an interview and then offered a position aboard. 

What other jobs led you to your current career?

In college, I worked at a veterinary center, a dairy farm, and a grade school as a tutor. After I graduated, I was an intern at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago where I worked with the penguins and sea otters. All of those experiences helped to develop my skills and positioned me to be in the career that I am. At the vet center and dairy farm, I learned a lot about animal care and medicine. Working at the grade school helped me discover my interest in educating people. I loved seeing firsthand how education could change young people’s lives for the better and I knew from there that my career would involve some level of teaching or public outreach. Interning at the Shedd just reinforced what I already knew- that I wanted to work in the ocean. There, I was able to expand my knowledge about marine science and conservation. Throughout these jobs, I’ve always known that I wanted my career to be in oceanography, so I’m really excited to be a part of this expedition where I’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the marine world and teach people about it along the way.

What are your degrees and certifications?

Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 2021; PADI Open Water Certification 2021; CPR and AED Certification 2021; Laboratory Animal Technician Certification 2023

What are your hobbies?

I love to be in the sun and in the water, so in the summers, I enjoy paddleboarding, swimming, and biking. I’ll be windsurfing later this season, too. Almost anything that has to do with water I enjoy taking part in. When I’m indoors, I love to listen to audiobooks, watch horror movies, and bake. I make amazing brownies from scratch and my favorite book genres are self-development and historical fiction.

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

Do whatever you can to get involved. Join clubs in high school and college that help you learn about the natural world. Study abroad, volunteer, and teach yourself. There are free online oceanography classes that might be offered through your local library. Read books that teach you more than you could learn in a classroom. Do everything you can to get yourself exposed and educated about the marine world. Don’t be afraid to try anything new. You might end up liking it more than you thought and you could make a professional connection. If you feel intimidated or nervous, then you’re going in the right direction. You don’t grow by staying complacent. Be open to the feedback you get from professionals in the field you want to go into. Do something that will help you stand out and add it to your resume. Enjoy the present but always look for the next step. Be thinking about what else you could do to bring you closer to your long-term goals. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not getting into the internships or jobs that you apply for. Continue to develop in your career and keep trying.