Meet Ocean Explorer Diana Noto!

OET proudly welcomes Diana Noto 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. Diana is joining E/V Nautilus for our NA179 expedition as an Ocean Science intern.

We sat with Diana to learn more about her experience at sea and the path that led her to Nautilus.

Describe your role with OET.

I am an Ocean Science intern and my primary role is to act as a data logger during ROV dives, recording observations of the biology and geology of the habitats we are in. I also communicate with the science team and the ROV pilots to coordinate the collection of samples. After dives I help document, process and preserve these samples as well as help to write up dive summaries. 

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

I have always lived in proximity to the ocean, first in New York and later in Florida, but attending a Girl Scout summer camp growing up had the biggest influence on my career path. First-hand experience of engaging in science and nature-based activities nurtured my interest in science and gave me young women just starting their science careers to look up to. This experience gave me confidence that a STEM career was possible. 

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

I wanted to be an exotic animal veterinarian working at an aquarium or zoo, but in college I decided that path wasn’t for me. Through working in a few labs at my university I found my passion for marine invertebrates. This passion eventually led me to working on a project with an invertebrate zoology natural history collection, and opened up a whole career path that I never knew existed.

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

Getting at-sea experience has been the biggest challenge since most universities do not have opportunities to participate in a research cruise and internships like the ones OET offers are pretty rare. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to participate in this expedition!

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

Explore your interests! There are so many ways to get into ocean exploration so don’t limit yourself to a specific field and follow whatever you are interested in. Also build your network, talk to professors or scientists about their research and how they got into their respective fields. It's often not as straightforward as you think and they may know of or have opportunities for you to participate in research.

What's next for your ocean studies and career?  

I am currently finishing up my Masters in Biology at the University of Guam Marine Lab studying true crabs (brachyurans). After I graduate I will spend some time working with my lab monitoring the biodiversity of shallow water marine invertebrates in Guam. Eventually, I would like to find a job in Museum Collections and take every opportunity to participate in fieldwork or research cruises.