Gaby Espino (USNA, M.S. 2014; GSO, Online M.O. 2024) is currently a Seafloor Mapper and Navigator of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) aboard the E/V Nautilus with Ocean Exploration Trust, where she explores the deep waters of the Pacific in collaboration with local Pacific Island communities. Recently, she had the opportunity to map underwater volcanoes and hydrothermal vents off American Samoa—becoming part of the first team to ever see these deep-sea ecosystems. “Every dive feels like discovering a new world, and sharing these findings with scientists, students, and the public makes it even more exciting,” shared Espino.
Espino called GSO’s Online M.O. an “ideal bridge” from her career as a Naval Aviator back to her passion for the ocean, since the flexibility of the program allowed her to study while transitioning out of the military. The coursework, from seafloor mapping techniques to data analysis, directly applies to her current work on E/V Nautilus. “The program’s online community, including topic-focused Zoom meetups, connected me to scientists and opportunities I wouldn’t have found otherwise” said Espino. “GSO helped me to turn a lifelong fascination into a new profession.”