Ximena Boza Noriega

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

I recently completed the Nippon Foundation/General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) Ocean Mapping training program (https://www.gebco.net/training/) in July 2024 at the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center (CCOM/JHC). I could not wait one second to dive into ocean mapping projects and at sea expeditions, which is why I spent some time with the Seabed2030 team in Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) learning and working with the MB-Systems, GMRT, and GeoMapApp; I participated on a one-month expedition from and to Hawaii with the R/V Thomas G. Thompson, with an incredible team of geologists to find and map seamounts that have never been mapped before; and I went on a transit cruise aboard the Ice Breaker Oden, traveling from Pituffik, Greenland to Helsinborg, Sweden, while mapping the seafloor along the route. I am thrilled to be participating with the E/V Nautilus for the first time as my final cruise of the year, and in January 2025, I will begin working on a regional project with the Charles Darwin Foundation in Galapagos, Ecuador, and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama, exploring and mapping the deep-sea ecosystems of the Marine Corridor of the Eastern Tropical Pacific. This project also involves partners from Costa Rica and Colombia.

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

I was born and raised in Panama, in between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. I grew up in our beach house on the Pacific side, where I learned to walk; and spent part of my childhood exploring the Atlantic/Caribbean side with my friends. There was so much ocean to explore, and without even realizing it at the time, exploring the oceans—and the natural world—became my passion. That is why I made it my goal to pursue this career.

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

My parents have been key mentors in my life. They have supported and encouraged every wild idea I have had and have been there for me in every step of my life. From them, I learned to pursuit my passions - what makes me feel alive - and that love and peace of mind are key for a healthy life.

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

Being at sea!! Not only do I get to work on super cool multidisciplinary projects, learn new skills every time and meet incredible people along the way, but I get the chance to be as close as possible with the powerful nature; mapping seamounts and depths that have never been seen or mapped before, experiencing outstanding sunrises and sunsets, black starry skies (with shooting stars – and satellites – every night!) and Aurora Borealis in higher latitudes! Add to this wildlife and moon baths. For me, feeling the energy and power of nature, while literally exploring it and learning more about it, is the most fascinating element of my work.

How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?

I recently completed the certificate in ocean mapping from one of the top programs in the world. In addition to training future generations of ocean mappers, the program emphasizes networking and connecting people globally. Through this program, I had the opportunity to get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET).

What other jobs led you to your current career?

Before pursuing my current career, I spent three years working with Albatros Media Foundation, an NGO based in Panama. The foundation’s mission is to raise global awareness of critical social, environmental, and cultural issues in Latin America and the Caribbean through documentaries and photographic exhibitions. After that, I decided I wanted to get more involved with science, so I joined the Marine Global Earth Observatory (MarineGEO) and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Bocas del Toro, Panama. I worked as a Research Technician III, where I collected and processed data for multiple projects, including coordinated experiments measuring biodiversity and near-shore marine ecosystems, a physical monitoring program, and an independent research project where we mapped the Bocas del Toro Archipelago using a single-beam echosounder.

What are your degrees and certifications?

I have a B.Sc. in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston, South Carolina, USA; I earned the Chevening scholarship to pursuit a M.Sc. in Oceanography at the University of Southampton, UK; and I achieved the Nippon Foundation/GEBCO training program scholarship for a graduate certificate in Ocean Mapping (Category A in Hydrography) at the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center, at the University of New Hampshire, USA.

What are your hobbies?

I am very active and love exercising, doing hot yoga (yoga in a very warm room), surfing, running, scuba diving, and of course traveling and exploring as much as I can!

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

The first thing I would say is that you must have passion for what you do or study. Passion is a common trait among everyone I have met in the Ocean Science community, as it acts as a driving force for success. Also, expose yourself to new experiences and actively seek out internships and/or volunteer opportunities, whether in research or industry, and, NETWORK!! A LOT!!! Reach out to people—even if it’s just for a coffee chat. Building connections can open doors to opportunities you might not have imagined—for both parties!