What is your job on the ship? Viral ecology scientist, collecting large volumes of vent water and concentrating it for viruses.

How long have you worked on Atlantis? Since we sailed yesterday.

Where are you from? The University of Delaware, in Newark, Delaware

What is the most unusual thing you have seen on a cruise? In the Chesapeake Bay, I saw a red tide algal bloom. The water turned reddish brown very quickly before your eyes.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? Some kid of sugar-less pistachio pastry — it was dry and awful! I had to spit it out.

What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you? Up until several years ago, I was terrified of deep water. I’m not sure why, just was. I went on a research trip to the Gulf of Mexico where the instructor took us offshore, out of land sight. Everyone decided to get off of the boat and swim in the 75-foot-deep water. I froze in terror at the thought of being in that deep! But after sitting by myself for a few minutes on the boat, one of my fellow students convinced me she would be right beside me the whole time and I would be fine. It took me a VERY long time to climb down the ladder into the water, and more convincing to let go of the boat. I finally did, and after a few moments of fear, I started enjoying the view. The water was VERY clear, and I could almost see the bottom. There were lots of fish, and true to her word, my friend stayed near me the whole time. It was a difficult thing for me to do, but I’m glad I did — it was worth it.

If you didn’t have this job, what would be your next job of choice? Photographer. I love capturing images with my camera.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to endure? U.S. Navy boot camp in Orlando, Florida, during September 1990. It was very hot. It was intense military training for eight long weeks. I had to think past the marches in the rain and focus on the end goal to get through it.

Where’s the coolest place you have ever been? Why? Actually, there are two places that stand out for me: (1) Rome, Italy, where I walked through the Roman Forum on the same grounds as Julius Caesar did many centuries ago. It was amazing, and I had to sit down in the forum to realize where I was and how important the place had been. It have me goose bumps! (2) Berlin, Germany, where I got to see the remains of the Berlin Wall. It’s closed off by a fence, so you can’t touch it, but the artwork and bare wire and chipped rock hit your senses without needing touch. It was an intense place to be standing.