Register NOW for this Thursday's SUT Webinar and Learning Luncheon: "Overview of the NOAA Ocean Exploration and Research Program and Recent Okeanos Explorer Expeditions"

Starts: Thu, Jun 4, 2015 11:30 AM CST
Ends: Thu, Jun 4, 2015 1:00 PM CST
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SUT Webinar and Learning Luncheon!

SUT Houston's Offshore Site Investigation and Geotechnics Committee Presents:

"Overview of the NOAA Ocean Exploration and Research Program
and Recent Okeanos Explorer Expeditions"

Presented by: Meme Lobecker – Physical Scientist/Hydrographer, NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research

Thursday, June 4th
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CDT
Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.
Presentation/webinar will begin at 12:00 p.m.

Norris Conference Center - WESTCHASE
9990 Richmond Ave. Suite #102
Houston, TX 77042
(713) 780 - 9300

REGISTER HERE!

Meme Lobecker in the control room of the NOAA Okeanos Explorer

Biography:
Meme has spent fifteen years in the environmental field, thirteen of which have directly related to seafloor mapping and the marine sciences. She holds an MA in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island and a BA in Environmental Studies from George Washington University. As Senior Mapping Team Lead, she is in charge of the various seafloor mapping systems onboard the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. During an exploration cruise, Meme is responsible for all mapping data collected, and produces the maps that are required for the exploration process to proceed to the level of ROV exploration. When not at sea mapping, Meme works on the post processing and archiving of data, plans upcoming cruises, and represents NOAA OER at scientific conferences and meetings throughout the year. She is based at the Integrated Ocean and Coastal Mapping Center at the University of New Hampshire. Prior to working with NOAA, she was an independent contractor for the international seabed cable and offshore energy industries. Her work in that arena took her to the North Sea, the Mediterranean, the Western Pacific and the Eastern Atlantic. She began her offshore career working with SAIC conducting shallow water mapping for nautical chart updating in New England and the Gulf of Mexico.

Abstract:
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, “America’s Ship for Ocean Exploration,” is the only federally funded U.S. ship assigned to systematically explore our largely unknown ocean for the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge.Telepresence, using real-time broadband satellite communications, connects the ship and its discoveries live with audiences ashore. Our unique capabilities allow us to reduce unknowns in deep-ocean areas and provide the high-value environmental intelligence needed by NOAA and the nation to address both current and emerging science and management needs. Since the ship was commissioned on August 13, 2008, the Okeanos Explorer has traveled the globe, exploring the Indonesian ‘Coral Triangle Region;’ benthic environments in the Galápagos; the geology, marine life, and hydrothermal systems of the Mid-Cayman Rise within the Caribbean Sea; and deep-sea habitats and marine life in the northern Gulf of Mexico and US East Coast including several Atlantic canyons and New England Seamount chain. OER provides partnership coordination, funding, staff, tools, and expertise needed to develop exploration missions that deliver rigorous, systematic observations and documentation of biological, chemical, physical, geological, and archaeological aspects of the ocean. OER works to get scientists to uncharted areas; to design, test, and implement new deep-sea technologies; and to bring the wonders of ocean exploration to everyone. And, during and after expeditions, OER's system of data management ensures that collected information arrives quickly – and accurately – into the hands of those who need it to make timely decisions.

Meme will present on NOAA's Okeanos Explorer program, particularly the mapping capabilities of the ship, and will provide insights into the recent discoveries made in the Gulf of Mexico, including gaseous seeps, salt domes, asphalt extrusions, and deep sea coral communities.

Society for Underwater Technology - This multi-disciplinary learned society brings together organizations and individuals with common interests in underwater technology, ocean science and offshore engineering. The SUT was founded in 1966 in London and has members from more than 40 countries including engineers, scientists, other professionals and students working in these areas.

The SUT was founded to promote the further understanding of the underwater environment to encourage cross fertilization and dissemination of ideas, experience and information between workers in academic research, applied research and technology, industry and government development of techniques and tools to explore and study oceans, proper economic and sociological use of our resources in and beneath the oceans, further education of scientists and technologists to maintain high standards in marine science and technology

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