Christine Spiten: Blueye Robotics Co-Founder

Podcast Episode #58

Christine is the co-founder of Blueye Robotics, a Norway-based technology start-up developing underwater drones that can allow you to explore nearly 500 feet beneath the ocean’s surface and live stream to any device all at the same time! In this episode, Christine and I chat about her experiences that led her to Blueye, the fundamental ethos of exploration Blueye Robotics has, and the importance of connecting people with our blue planet.

To learn more visit blueyerobotics.com, check out @blueyerobotics on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, and even connect with Christine via her personal Instagram page @chspiten.

Anastasia Mikhalochkina: Lean Orb Founder

Podcast Episode #57

Anastasia is the founder of the Miami-based startup Lean Orb, using agricultural byproducts to create plant-based food service products and packaging that can actually be easily composted as opposed to tricky alternatives like bioplastics. Inspired by her connection to and appreciation of nature, her interest in the circular economy, and her desire to make a positive impact as an entrepreneur, she is making products to replace the single-use plastic and styrofoam items we wastefully and dangerously use, that often end up in the ocean.

Learn more about Lean Orb products at leanorb.com, follow them on Facebook and Instagram, and check out miamiisnotplastic.org too!

Chelsea Bennice: Octopus Scientist

Podcast Episode #56

Chelsea is a Marine Biologist studying the behavioral ecology of two different octopus species in South Florida that inhabit the same area. In order to see how these unique cephalopods coexist, she’s spending a lot of time underwater with them! In this episode Chelsea and I discuss her journey from growing up in Ohio to being an ocean scientist in Florida, what drew her to study these amazing masters of camouflage, and what surprising behaviors she’s observed during her PhD research at Florida Atlantic University.

Check out Chelsea as @theoctogirl on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and videos of the amazing octopus behavior she gets to observe, plus more info about her research.

Boyan Slat: The Ocean Cleanup Founder

Podcast Episode #55

Boyan is the Founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, using advanced technologies and the ocean’s currents to rid the oceans of plastic. Five years since his TEDx talk went viral, Boyan and his team are now preparing to launch their first full floating system in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in Spring of 2018. Hear this young entrepreneur’s thoughts on research, fundraising, criticisms, global plastic pollution solutions, and his ultimate goals for The Ocean Cleanup.

To learn more, visit The Ocean Cleanup website, follow them @theoceancleanup on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and watch their videos on YouTube.

Allison Lee: Phytoplankton PhD Student

Podcast Episode #54

Allison is a biological oceanography PhD student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, working to bring phytoplankton research to the world of citizen science in the Arctic and the Antarctic. In this episode we discuss her experience working in a lab setting, her inspiring blog ‘Woman Scientist’, her passion for phytoplankton research, and more.

Visit Allison Lee’s website womanscientist.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.