SEAS Cruise 2007 : People
Costa Vetriani - Microbiologist
- What do you do?
- I am a professor at Rutgers University and I study the microbiology of deep-sea environments.
- What is your role on this cruise?
- This year, I will be collecting samples of black smokers and hydrothermal fluids for microbial studies.
- What is your education/training?
- I have a Masters' degree in clinical microbiology and a PhD in molecular genetics.
- What inspired you to choose your career & who were your role models?
- A love of the ocean and diving inspired me to choose a career in marine sciences. This is a consequence of spending my youth on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, being on boats with my family since I was three, and watching Cousteau's documentaries as a kid.
- Please describe your family:
My wife, Mary, is a graphic designer, and my son, Giulio, is eight years old and loves to play soccer.
- What are some of your favorite things about life at sea?
- It puts me in direct contact with the ocean. I get to explore the deep-sea. It's relaxing (usually).
- What do you do in your free time?
- In my spare time I like to read books, go SCUBA diving, and do photography, including underwater photography.
- Any Fun Facts about you?
- My dad likes to read our updates from sea!
