Natasha diving at the coral reefs in Guantánamo Bay in Cuba. 
Natasha Dickenson is a marine scientist with with over 20 years of marine environmental science experience. She currently works at NUWC Newport, where her research focus lies in preventing biofouling on Navy platforms.
“I have been involved in many studies assessing novel methods for biofouling control, as well as larger scale projects involving invasive species risk analyses,” shared Dickenson. “Most recently, assessing deep sea biofouling and effects of increased hydrostatic pressures on antifouling paints and coatings. I’m also involved in coral monitoring and mitigation efforts in the Bahamas and Guantanamo Bay.”
Natasha’s experience at GSO helped to focus her area of interest – benthic ecology. While there was not an official program geared to benthic ecology at GSO, she “designed her own” through specific course offerings, classes outside of GSO and multiple independent research projects on benthic topics.
“Researching the Jamestown Bridge demolition and subsequent artificial reefs created from them was the highlight of my GSO experience. Professor Candice Oviatt was a great mentor for me and was key to my graduate school success.”
Natasha was featured in a recent edition of GSO’s Aboard GSO, in a story called Taking Advantage of Opportunities.