Expedition Team

Roman Shor

Roman Shor, S-204


Alumni: S-204
Occupation: Ph.D. Student at the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Growing up in the mountains of Colorado, I gained a deep appreciation of the grandeur of nature, but saw and heard little of the oceans of the planet. This changed when I sailed onboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans as a student and later as a deckhand during my sophomore year. Nothing can describe this better than the experience of standing bow watch on the quarter deck at three in the morning, hearing the wind whistle through the rigging and watching the seeming endless waves beat the ship. My SEA Semester taught me responsibility, leadership, and most importantly, cemented a respect for the planet.

After sailing through the great Pacific garbage patch as a student, I had my eyes opened to the impact humans are having on the environment. Since then, I have tried to do my part to reuse and recycle, and to encourage others to do the same. This research voyage is key to continuing to raise public awareness to this problem, and it an opportunity for me to truly give back to the environment.

I have a Master's degree in Computer Science and I will be a first year Ph.D. student at the University of Pennsylvania this fall studying ocean biogeochemistry and climate change. As an undergraduate, I was a member of the University of Pennsylvania Crew Team and the US Indoor Rowing Team. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, skiing, and photography.




funding

Plastics at SEA: North Atlantic Expedition 2010 is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program. Additional funding provided by Sea Education Association and Henry L. and Grace Doherty Foundation. American Chemistry Council provided support for web-based outreach. Crew gear provided by Patagonia. This expedition is in collaboration with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Woods Hole Sea Grant.