Hannah Joss

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

My current work revolves around a project mapping marine habitats throughout the Republic of Palau. This involves using GIS to spatially identify where specific habitats are found, their distribution across the marine environment, how much area they cover and how they interact with each other and the physical and chemical properties of the ocean. Ultimately, this work provides the foundation for us to then understand how marine environments are changing through time and as a result of climatic changes and disturbance.

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

I grew up with the natural environment as my primary source of entertainment and then fell in love with the ocean and the marine world when I moved to coastal San Diego, California for college.

What element of your work/study do you think is the most fascinating?

I think putting eyes on the bottom of the sea, whether through diving, ROVs, AUVs equipped with sonar or airborne liDAR, illuminates a massive part of our planet that we know very little about. Who wouldn't be thrilled about this?!

How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?

Working for Coral Reef Research Foundation in Palau, we partner with many organizations and agencies, one of which is OET.

What other jobs led you to your current career?

I started my career in marine environmental consulting where I got exposed to a wide variety of projects and spent tons of time under, on or around the ocean. During graduate school, I was lucky enough to get contracted by USGS and did several summers of research cruises in the Gulf of Mexico, monitoring mesophotic and deep sea corals.

What are your degrees and certifications?

Bachelors of Environmental Science; Masters of Natural Resources, Environmental Science and Management; FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot

What are your hobbies?

Surfing, spearfishing and spending time outside is my general weekend plan.

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

Talk to everyone and anyone who does something you think is cool and fulfilling and ask how they got there. Build the path you'd like to take. Try things that seem outside your capacity and build your skills!