Trevor Platt Science Foundation Webinar: From Deck to Data: Exploring Zooplankton and Life on a Sailing Research Expedition

This webinar offers a firsthand look at oceanographic research aboard a sailing research vessel, blending science with the realities of fieldwork. We'll explore how zooplankton, especially copepods, respond to shifting temperature and salinity gradients, and what that reveals about ocean dynamics. Beyond the data, expect an honest account of life at sea: international teamwork, sampling under pressure, and adapting to the rhythms of a working vessel. Whether you're curious about marine science or considering a career in field research, this session will show you what oceanography really looks like from the deck up.

Speaker

Salma Sheini Assistant Fisheries Manager, Ghana's Fisheries Commission

Salma Sheini is an Assistant Fisheries Manager at Ghana's Fisheries Commission, where she works on water quality analysis, marine litter monitoring, and fish stock assessment within the Fisheries Scientific Survey Division. She has taken part in international research expeditions aboard the Dr. Fridtjof Nansen and the Statsraad Lehmkuhl, studying zooplankton, particularly copepods, across hydrographic gradients, in collaboration with ESA, NASA, and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Her broader interests span plankton ecology, climate change impacts on marine ecosystems, and the use of remote sensing and spatial tools in oceanographic research.