Mallory Ringham

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

I currently work in a CO2 systems lab that builds and deploys autonomous dissolved inorganic carbon, pCO2, and pH sensors to understand carbon cycling in a variety of marine settings. 

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

I started taking earth science courses at the end of my undergraduate career when I realized how many geochemists get to travel for field work. I worked in the central Andes of Argentina and Chile on a fascinating clumped isotopes paleothermometry proxy calibration project for my Master's thesis and moved into marine sciences for my Ph.D. program to live and work at sea.

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

I have been fortunate to have family, friends, and incredible faculty mentors in STEM fields.

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

The evolving and cutting edge fields of climate science, ocean acidification, and ocean engineering attract fascinating, intelligent, and highly motivated scientists from around the world. Working on multidisciplinary, multicultural teams to understand our oceans' chemistry is incredibly rewarding.

How did you get involved with the Nautilus Exploration Program?  

I thought about stowing away on a research cruise for quite some time before I found out that the Nautilus Exploration Program takes on ocean science and engineering interns. I sailed on the Nautilus in August/September 2015 during our first cruise with Ocean Networks Canada, and I'm excited to return this year.

What other jobs led you to your current career? 

I have worked in a wide variety of research labs. At Syracuse University, I worked in a biomedical engineering lab on oral vaccinations, in a nanochemistry lab on gold and silver nanoparticle alloy electrochemistry, in an earth sciences lab on a stable isotope precipitation project, and as a Master's student on clumped and conventional stable isotopes on desert soil carbonates. At Woods Hole Oceanographic, I worked on a prototype autonomous river sampler, and am now working on carbon cycling dynamics and autonomous chemical sensor development projects.

What are your degrees and certifications?

The degrees I hold are a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Chemical Engineering -- Syracuse University 2013; Master of Science in Earth Sciences -- Syracuse University 2015.

What are your hobbies?

I love to run, and I am a swing, salsa, and ballroom dancer. My favorite hobbies on board the Nautilus include reading, stargazing, and starting up card games. 

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

Talk to everyone. Scientists and engineers love to share their work, and you never know who might have an opening in their lab for a dedicated student or volunteer.

How did you get involved with the Nautilus Exploration Program? How did you get on the ship?

After participating in the SEIP Ocean Science Internship two years ago, I threatened to stow away on the ship I loved it so much. This will be my third season on the Nautilus returning in increasing responsibility roles (and my third time sailing on Ocean Networks Canada cruises).