Meet Ocean Explorer Leela Madhava!

OET proudly welcomes Leela Madhava to the Corps of Exploration as part of the Science & Engineering Internship Program. This internship program supports community college, undergraduate, and graduate students in building professional workforce experience and exploring STEAM-related careers that connect to research themes like robotics, ocean science, education, and exploration. Leela joins E/V Nautilus for our NA174 expedition as an Ocean Science intern.

We sat with Leela to learn more about their experience at sea and the path that led them to Nautilus.

Describe your role with OET.

I am an Ocean Science Intern! That means I have a few different roles on the ship. During ROV dives, I work as a data logger, noting down important events and keeping track of samples. After dives, I help with sample processing. Processing involves unpacking the samples from their various jars and boxes, imaging them, and taking any subsamples that different scientists request. After that, we preserve everything and pack it up for transport to various museums and laboratories! Once that's done, I also help write dive reports and sort sample photos & video captures. 
 

Can you tell us a little about your background? What influenced you as a child?

Although I'm from Chicago, I spent a lot of time in Michigan as a kid, which I think was a big source of my love for biology. I spent my summers running around forests, climbing trees, catching frogs in the marsh, and swimming in the lake. This instilled a real love and respect for nature in me. This would lead me to the University of Washington, where I'm double majoring in Biology & Marine Biology. Through the connections I made there, I began working in a biomechanics lab, where I worked for two years processing plankton samples. This gave me a real love for microscope work - I love how I can look at a seemingly uninhabited water sample and see a whole world of life. These two experiences, although very different, would serve as important preparations for my time on Nautilus!
 

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

There was a period when I was a kid where I really wanted to be an astronomer. I had an astronomy textbook I'd read every night before bed - clearly I have been a nerd for a long time. After that, I thought I'd be an English teacher, because I loved reading so much. I never would have guessed that I would go into biology - although I loved my science classes, for some reason I never thought that I could have a future in it. It wasn't until college, when I was voluntarily taking those classes and still loving them, that I realized this was a career I could actually do!
 

What would you consider to be your greatest challenge entering this field?

As someone who likes to know plans well in advance, the changeable nature of ocean work has been something to get used to. You may have a dive suddenly cancelled, or have a late-night shift where you weren't expecting one. I've had to learn to roll with the punches! In addition, it's difficult being away from my friends and family. However, there's so many amazing experiences at sea that definitely make it all worth it. You see some incredible sights, build wonderful connections, and get to be a part of a genuinely important mission. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity! 

Do you have any advice for someone looking to follow a similar path?

Persistence has served me really well. It took me a few tries to get accepted to the internship, and I had some technical issues interrupt my first expedition. However, I was really determined to get out to sea, and tried not to let anything discourage me, which paid off in the end. Curiosity is also really valuable - there's so much to learn on this ship, not only in the science realm but from every team that works aboard it. I spent a lot of my internship following different people around and asking questions, and that worked really well for me! 

What's next for your ocean studies and career?  

I have graduation coming up in the spring, so that's my next big step! Afterwards, I'll be focusing on job hunting. I'm very interested in ecological restoration & science communication work in any capacity. I'd also love to return to sea if the opportunity arises!