Memories From A Super Senior

The following blog post was written by a 2014 National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) student following their internship at BIOS.

Hola!

My name is Tessa Syvertsen and I am a super senior studying Environmental Engineering at the University of Florida. I am here at BIOS as a research intern working with Ruth Curry in the Mid Atlantic Glider Initiative and Collaboration (MAGIC) lab. Basically I get to work with an underwater robot named Anna who we sent out into the eye of Hurricane Gonzalo to measure the ocean's response. I absolutely love it here in Bermuda- and being an REU has been an amazing experience. Our REU group is a super eclectic, smart, awesome group of kids, and if waves for surfing were more regular this would be the perfect place.

So here's some of my beach pictures, some of my favorite memories, and some things to look forward to if you ever get the chance to visit!

One of the scientists, Gretchen, had a farewell party for a PhD student on her island, off the island. Slacklines, hammocks, and homemade hummus lead to happy people.

A week at sea on the majestic R/V Atlantic Explorer filled every expectation I had, plus the fooooood. And the naps.

Before Hurricane Gonzalo everything was strangely calm, sunny and not ominous whatsoever. One of the nicest days at the beach I've experienced here... 

Then Hurricane Gonzalo wiped out the fruit trees, we were confined to the library for 36 hours, and had to sleep under desk cubbies....but we had starfruit and avocados for days and the slumber party led to some serious bonding. Oh and I got a pretty sweet dataset, because that’s what I’m here for.

Retrieving the slocum glider Anna was a blast, I felt like I was saving my child from being out at sea. We took the R/V Stommel out, spotted her, jumped in and guided her aboard.  This picture is of me, Ruth and Anna, one happy MAGIC family.