Verena Tunnicliffe
Tell us about your work/research. What kinds of things do you do?
I am a marine biologist at University of Victoria in Canada. My core interest is to understand how seafloor organisms interact with each other and with their environment, thereby forming complex communities. A lifetime of ocean exploration has stretched from coral reefs to subsea volcanoes as I made hundreds of dives with SCUBA and both manned and remotely operated submersibles. To be able share the deep-sea with other scientists and the public, I became involved in the development of cabled subsea observatories; we finally connected the “Ocean On-line” in 2006. I was Director of the VENUS observatory on Canada’s west coast for 12 years. Today, I continue to work on the ecology and biogeography of hydrothermal vent communities. My current research focusses on deep ocean conservation, including environmental management around deep-sea mining.
What sparked your initial interest in your career?
While I grew up in the middle of the continent, I was fascinated with sea shells as a child. For the summer of my second year of undergraduate, the employment choices were to work in a medical department or on the mudflats of Bay of Fundy. The decision was not hard: clams and snails were far more interesting! That is where I learned that the physical environment (sediment) dictated the habitat conditions of different species. And I also learned a deep respect for the power of moving water!
Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?
Two of my first professors appeared to see some potential despite my poor grades. They encouraged me to question, to explore more and to develop an interest in learning. That opportunity to do field work made all the difference. My geosciences colleagues continue to inspire me to explore the influences of geosystems on biotic evolution.
What element of your work/study do you think is the most fascinating?
Definitely exploring for new ocean habitats, animals and strange stuff. I can get into the details where necessary, but it is the big picture of how this deep, amazing world fits together that drives me.
How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?
Bill Chadwick asked if I’d be interested in returning to the Marianas region to assess changes in the Volcanic Arc since our previous visits. Of course!
What other jobs led you to your current position?
Not many, because those first summer working on the mudflats got me hooked. I went on to study wave impacts on coral reefs for my PhD and the communities of low oxygen fjords for my postdoc.
What are your degrees and certifications?
BSc from McMaster University; PhD from Yale University. SCUBA certifications.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy gardening, piano and fixing up my boat.
What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?
Listen to your heart – what makes you happy? Broaden your study interests so you can be different from other marine biology students. Don’t duck the statistics courses (like I did). You might even love them.
