Francesca Daszak

Tell us about your work/research. What kinds of things do you do?

I am a founding robotics engineer at Orpheus Ocean, a startup developing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for deep ocean exploration. I began working on the Orpheus project at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and transitioned to the startup after it spun out. My work focuses on bridging the gap between the mechanical, electrical, and software systems to produce reliable robotic platforms. I’m especially interested in building tools that enable scientists to access and study some of the most extreme and unexplored parts of the ocean.

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

My interest in robotics began in high school through the FIRST Tech Challenge. Building and programming robots with a team sparked a passion that has stayed with me ever since. In college, I continued pursuing that interest by participating in a NASA competition focused on developing autonomous robots for sample collection. That experience deepened my curiosity about unstructured and extreme environments, so deep-sea robotics felt like a natural and exciting path.

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

It’s hard to name just one person—I've been fortunate to have a lot of support along the way. My family has always encouraged me to pursue what I’m passionate about, and definitely sat through a lot of (extremely long and tedious) robotics competitions. I also had an incredible robotics advisor at University of Rochester who pushed me to take on challenges in my career and branch out into other engineering disciplines. More recently, the team at Orpheus Ocean has been wonderful in allowing all of us to find out passions and follow them!

What element of your career do you think is the most fascinating?

The most fascinating part of my work is getting to see parts of the world that very few people experience. On a recent cruise to the Aleutian Trench, I had the chance to see some incredible creatures, some of which had never been seen before! I know everyone says this, but it really feels like exploring an alien world. Being part of the cutting edge of ocean research, and helping build the technology that makes this kind of exploration possible, is both humbling and incredibly exciting.

How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?

I became part of the expedition team through my work at Orpheus Ocean. Our team was brought on by Ocean Exploration Trust to support the mission by collecting high-resolution video data over areas of the sea floor and sediment samples using our autonomous underwater vehicle.

What other jobs led you to your current career?

Before joining Orpheus Ocean, I had a number of experiences that helped shape my career. I started out in mechanical engineering and got hands-on experience through student projects and robotics competitions. One very impactful experience was participating in a NASA competition focused on autonomous systems for planetary exploration, where I picked up an interest in systems engineering. Most recently, I spent a year at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution working on the original Orpheus vehicle, which gave me my first taste of ocean engineering and deep-sea robotics.

What are your degrees and certifications?

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Rochester 2023

What are your hobbies?

I absolutely love birdwatching and photographing wildlife. I also keep reptiles and amphibians and love building vivaria that mimic their natural habitats. I also do a lot of beading, knitting, and embroidery to keep my hands busy.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to have a career like yours?

If you’re looking to pursue a career in robotics or ocean engineering, my advice is to take full advantage of the resources available to you—Google is your friend, and the internet has made learning skills more accessible than ever. Don’t be afraid to dive into topics outside your immediate field, you never know what might spark your interest! Engineering requires a lot of problem-solving, and sometimes blind confidence is your best tool—don’t be afraid to jump into challenges with the mindset that you can figure it out as you go. Diligence and confidence go hand in hand; as long as you are approaching your work from a methodical standpoint, confidence is half of the battle!