Name: Debbie Kelley
Description: I am an associate professor in the School of Oceanography and Astrobiology program at the University of Washington. My main research focuses on investigation of seafloor hydrothermal systems and geobiological processes. On this cruise, I am deploying new in situ microbial incubators that are yielding new insights into the conditions under which life thrives, survives and expires in extreme black smoker environments. I hope in the very near future that this instrument can be transitioned onto the submarine fiber-optic cabled underwater observatory called "NEPTUNE" that will revolutionize how we interact with Earth and it's oceans. I am lucky to work with such great people out here.
Email: kelley@ocean.washington.edu