Meagan's letter, answered by Jennifer Miksis-Olds, a Researcher from the Applied Research Lab at Penn State   (Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania)

Dear Meghan,
    My name is Jennifer Miksis-Olds, and I am a marine biologist from Penn State on board the Dyson for a two week science cruise. My area of study is using sound to study life in the ocean. I listen for animals like whales and seals with underwater microphones called hydrophones. I also use sensors called fisheries echosounders to monitor the food (fish and zooplankton) in the water for the marine mammals and birds. The acoustic instruments that I use are put out on moorings and stay in the ocean for 6-12 months at a time. When we get them back, we listen to all the data stored up on the computers.

    I applaud your desire to become a marine biologist. I had my heart set on being a marine biologist at age 7. If its really what you want to do, don’t let people try and talk you out of it. There isn’t much money in a career like this, but it is exciting and never boring. My best advice is to not neglect math or physics. It difficult, but you won’t go far in the world of biology without these backgrounds.

All the best,

Jennifer