Jeff Drazen

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

Dr. Jeff Drazen is a professor in the Department of Oceanography in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UHM). He joined the UHM faculty in 2004. Dr. Drazen is recognized internationally for his research on food-webs and communities of the open ocean and deep sea, particularly fishes. His work and that of his students and postdocs has helped elucidate the energetic strategies of deep-sea fishes, identified important pathways in deep-sea food webs, and explored the ecology of hadal trenches, the deepest ecosystem on earth. His research has helped evaluate the environmental risks of deep-sea mining, a topic of critical interest as companies and countries look to the ocean to supply battery metals needed for the “green transition.” He has authored and coauthored over 130 scientific articles and book chapters, received over $20 million in research grants, and he has participated in more than 60 research cruises with over 1000 days at sea, often as chief scientist. More information on his lab group can be found at www.deepseafishecology.com.
 

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

I have always love fishes. This began when I was little, living in Washington State, and visiting my grandparents' house on Hood Canal. Every summer I would explore the intertidal and fish with my grandfather. My interest in the deep-sea began in college. In my invertebrate zoology course my instructor brought in a bucket full of hydrothermal vent animals like giant tube warms and clams. they were amazing and I had never even heard about vents. Then another teacher took us to sea for a day and we did a midwater trawl to several hundred meters. We caught lanternfish, dragonfish, and a fangtooth. They were such odd looking fishes and I was amazed that there was this huge region of the ocean, the deep-sea, with such fascinating creatures. I had to learn more!
 

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

Many people have supported me and mentored me in my career. Its really hard to pick just one person, so I'm going to list of the most influential people. My grandparents introduced me to the ocean. My parents encouraged my interest in it. My college professors introduced me to the deep-sea. My graduate advisor, Dr. Ken Smith, taught me how to go to sea, build instruments and how to be a good scientist. My postdoc advisors, Dr. Bruce Robison and Dr. Jim Barry, taught me about working with ROVs and about grant writing, among many other things. I am extremely lucky to have their support and mentorship over my career. Thanks to them and all the supportive family members and scientific mentors out there.
 

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

It has been fascinating to study water column communities in the Clarion Clipperton Mining zone. This is an area in the Eastern Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Central America, targeted for deep-sea mining. We have been studying these communities in the water column for the first time in order to start a baseline of knowledge. Conducting trawls down to 4000 meters, just above the seafloor, revealed a fascinating community of black bristlemouth fishes, mysid like shrimps, and bright red amphipods. Most of these animals are likely new species because there has been so little sampling in this region of the ocean and indeed there are few studies that have ever trawled in the water column to these great depths.
 

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

The Deep-sea Animal Research Center was a team originally established by Dr. Chris Kelley at UH and I am now its leader. For a number of years we have converted video from OET and OER expeditions into digital data by identifying all of the animals observed and matching those times and place to information on the depth, temperature and habitat type. Check out the DARCside here! https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/DARC/index.php
 

What other jobs led you to your current career?

Another job that led me to my current career included being a summer intern at the Pt. Defiance Aquarium while I was in college. Overall, I've had a very directed path. I have always loved learning about fish!
 

What are your degrees and certifications?

BA Biology and Marine Science - University of San Diego, 1993
PhD Marine Biology - Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 2000
 

What are your hobbies?

I love exploring the outdoors via hiking, skiing, fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving. After graduate school, my wife Helene and I backpacked around the world for an entire year, diving and hiking on all of the continents including Antarctica.
 

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

Study hard in school and learn all you can. Find good mentors - teachers, professionals in the field - and listen to their advice. Keep in touch with them because they can help you over many years. If your goal is to be a professor then you need to go to graduate school. To do that get involved in research as soon as you can in college.