Trish Albano

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

As an Expedition Coordinator, I work with an outstanding team to plan and lead deep ocean exploration expeditions with NOAA Ocean Exploration. In my role, I collaborate with the scientific community and other stakeholders to co-develop exploration missions to areas of the ocean that we know little about, collecting data to better understand an area’s physical, chemical, geological, biological, and marine cultural heritage features, and making these data publicly accessible. Using tools like sonars to map the seafloor and remotely operated vehicles to visually survey the water column and benthos, we gain a better understanding of what makes these deepwater environments so special, which can later inform decisions about their protection and management. Before joining the deep ocean exploration community, my research focused on evaluating the efficacy of marine protected areas as conservation management tools for vulnerable ecosystems and species, specifically elasmobranchs. I am also very passionate about outreach, education, and engaging with local communities.

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

Born and raised in South Florida, I grew up learning about the wonders of the ocean, but also gained a healthy respect for it having learned how to hurricane prep from a very young age. I always knew I wanted to do something with the ocean, but I didn’t know what that looked like or how to get there. No one in my family was involved in science, but they understood that learning about the ocean got me excited so they encouraged me to work hard in school and stay on top of my grades. It really wasn’t until college, where I majored in marine science, that I actually started taking concrete steps toward my future career. I got involved in everything ocean-related that my school had to offer, balancing extracurricular activities with my on-campus jobs and coursework, and just took advantage of every opportunity that came my way.

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

My mom is a teacher, so the value of education and learning was encouraged when I was growing up. As someone who is naturally curious herself, my mom always encouraged me to ask questions. Probably at the expense of her own sanity, she used to let me do “experiments” in the kitchen where I’d mix a bunch of random stuff together and then put it in the oven to see what would happen. When I graduated from kitchen science experiments to real ones, I had some amazing peer mentors in college and graduate school. My lab-mates and I were really close and supported each other as we went through the trials and tribulations of fieldwork and research. We have all since moved on to different jobs, but we still serve as sounding boards for each other as we navigate the professional world, and even still get together to celebrate holidays and milestones!

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

I really love the thrill that comes with studying things that are so unknown! Each time we start an ROV dive or turn on the sonars, we may discover something that completely changes our understanding of an area or ecosystem. That kind of excitement makes you feel like a little kid again and reminds you of why you got into this kind of work to begin with.

How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?

Ocean Exploration Trust and NOAA Ocean Exploration are close partners. As organizations with similar missions, we work together to close data gaps in the unknown ocean while inspiring and engaging the public. When I started working with NOAA Ocean Exploration in 2020, I was a newcomer to the world of deep ocean science and exploration. Since then, I have learned a lot from the incredible Ocean Exploration Trust team, so I was thrilled to be asked to join an expedition to learn more about how operations are conducted on Nautilus!

What other jobs led you to your current career?

My first jobs ever were coaching an elementary school basketball team and working at a pizza shop when I was in high school. In college, I took advantage of work study and worked in my school's library, at an on-campus summer program, at a local pool as a lifeguard, and was even a referee for intramural basketball. During the summers in college, I tried to gain more experience that was relevant to my interests, taking jobs at a marine science summer camp and in a research lab at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School. In grad school, I worked in the Rosenstiel School's Business Office, where I helped process budget and financial paperwork for professors and research faculty. After graduating, my first full-time position outside of school was with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation where I worked in support of NOAA Ocean Exploration's Outreach & Education division as Internship Program Coordinator, managing a portfolio of experiential learning opportunities aimed at training the next generation of ocean explorers. With a background in coastal ecology, the deep sea was a whole new world for me -- and I was hooked. After a couple of years working in the education side of the field, I started missing my science roots and applied for my current position as an Expedition Coordinator with NOAA Ocean Exploration. I am a firm believer that every opportunity shapes you into who you are today, and even seemingly random jobs have lessons to teach us. I am very grateful to have had a variety of experiences unrelated to my field that have taught me many things about life, relationship building, and teamwork!

What are your degrees and certifications?

Bachelor of Science in Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami 2018 ; Master of Science, Marine Ecosystems and Society Department, University of Miami 2020

What are your hobbies?

I love traveling to new places, photography, cooking, camping, hiking, or paddle boarding with my rescue pup, Mahi!

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

Keep an open mind! This field is so diverse and has something for everyone. Ocean exploration is a huge task, and it takes people with all sorts of interests to get the job done. It can be easy to think that the only job out there is “marine biologist” but that couldn't be farther from the truth. While scientists are a huge part of the mission, we couldn’t accomplish our collective goals of exploring the ocean without educators, communicators, artists, and so many others. My biggest piece of advice is to keep an open mind and don’t close yourself off to potential opportunities by biasing yourself against aspects of the field that you don’t think you are interested in. Say “yes” to as many opportunities as possible, and eventually you will start to figure out what excites you. Remember that figuring out what you don't like is just as important as figuring out what you do, and the best way to do that is to try as many new things as possible! Before working with NOAA Ocean Exploration, I worked in a shark research lab for five years. Sharks are fascinating animals, and I loved working with them, but saying “yes” to an opportunity in deep ocean exploration gave me the chance to try something totally new – and it turned out that I love it!