SEAS Cruise 2007 : People
George Luther - Geochemist
- What do you do and where do you work?
- I'm a marine chemist. I work at the University of Delaware, College of Marine and Earth Studies.
- What is your role on this cruise?
- On this cruise we're using an in-situ electrochemical analyzer to measure dissolved oxygen, sulfur and iron compounds.
- What is your education/training?
- I earned my bachelor's degree in Chemistry from LaSalle College in Philadelphia. I received my PhD in physical and inorganic chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.
- What inspired you to choose your career & who were your role models?
- Serendipity-While teaching at an undergraduate college, I met marine geologists and biologists who asked why some chemical reactions were slow or fast depending on the reactivity. This made me curious, so I decided marine chemistry would be fun to do!
- Please describe your family:
- I have a wife and two children. My wife is a nurse. My daughter is turning 22 while I'm on this cruise (happy birthday!), and is a veterinarian assistant. My son is 23 and in marketing.
- What are some of your favorite things about life at sea?
- If you're getting good data, everything looks great. If something goes bad and you can make it work with the help of others, that's a great feeling. Food is great at sea as well!
- What do you do in your free time?
- Music is always a good thing. I enjoy chatting with the crew and scientists. The video room is like going to the movies with your best friends. I enjoy walking for exercise, and I umpire Little League baseball. I do work for the local church.
- Any additional comments?
- It's nice to see how the students out here on the ship increase their scientific maturity as the cruise progresses.
