Me (Strawberry Sammi) in my natural habitat with my bestie, Strombus gigas (Queen Conch)
Today, I want to share something close to my heart: diving. Over the past two years, it has become more than just a hobby. It is a true passion. I have earned several SCUBA certifications, including Open Water, Nitrox, Adventure Diver, Advanced Open Water, Emergency Oxygen Provider/First Responder, Rescue Diver, Scientific Diver, and DAN’s First Aid for Professional Divers. My journey began with an Intro to SCUBA Diving course at Stony Brook University, and I haven’t looked back since.
Initially, I dreamed of becoming an aquatic vet, but experiencing the magic of the underwater world completely changed my perspective. It inspired me to switch my major to Coastal Environmental Studies, aligning my academic path with my newfound love for the ocean. Fast forward to today, and here I am… IN JAMAICA!!! This opportunity is something I will cherish forever. It is a reminder of how life’s unexpected turns can lead to incredible places.
Candy Heart Caitlin spreading the love
Candy Heart Caitlin has been my dive buddy for this entire trip, and what an amazing buddy she is. We first met during Brad’s Scientific Diving course last fall, and we have only grown closer since then. As divers, we always dive in pairs for safety, which means you and your buddy need to trust each other with your lives.
Being a good buddy involves good communication, staying close, offering physical and mental support, and planning and following through on dives together. These practices, along with others, make diving safe and enjoyable rather than stressful or dangerous. So, thank you, Candy Heart, for holding my life in your hands with such care, just as I do yours.
Brad doing science with a smile
This is one of our professors, Brad (scientific name: Professorius bradstachius). In this photo, he and his mustache are working hard [Ed note: From the photo it appears that Brad is posing for photos and Joe (in background) is the one actually working hard….] and serving a purpose. Specifically, he’s collecting tiles for a research project that he and Joe collaborate on [with Dr. Amber Stubler, a professor at Occidental College who got her Ph.D. at SoMAS as a graduate student in Brad’s lab].
The process involves placing tiles in an environment where they want to collect data. After a year, once the tiles have had time to accumulate algae [and other organisms that recruit onto the tiles], they return to collect them and study the organic growth. By observing the tiles, they can analyze the area’s environmental conditions and growth patterns. It’s incredibly important work, and they are both exceptionally skilled at it 🙂
Joe the Exterminator
This is a photo of our other professor, Joe (scientific name: Professorius joekillahfishius). Here, he’s hunting lionfish (Pterois volitans), an invasive species that continues to spread at an alarming rate. Lionfish pose a serious threat to native coral reef ecosystems in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean, so efforts like this are essential for conservation.
On this particular day, Joe successfully caught four lionfish [Ed note: I also missed a 5th one…]. Back on shore, he taught us how to carefully remove their venomous spines, descale them, and examine their stomach contents to see what they had eaten. To top it off, we had the chance to try the lionfish for lunch (and yes, it was delish). This hands-on lesson was incredibly engaging, and it was fascinating to witness the full journey of the fish—from the sea to my stomach.
– Strawberry Sammi <3