Dr. Marsh Youngbluth received his Master's degree in Zoology in 1966 from the University of Hawaii, and his Ph.D. in Biology in 1972 from Stanford University. He is a Senior Scientist with the Division of Marine Science at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution.
His research in the field of biological oceanography is currently focused on in situ investigations of mesopelagic zooplankton, particularly gelatinous fauna. With respect to siphonophores and medusae, Dr. Youngbluth is interested in their ecological roles as predators in deep-water coastal regimes.
Much of Dr. Youngbluth's work employs the Harbor Branch JOHNSON SEA-LINK research submersibles. A firm believer in employing "the right tools for the job," Dr. Youngbluth continues to utilize innovative technologies in the ongoing exploration of the mid-ocean realm.
Check out what Dr. Youngbluth had to say.
Q: What did you learn or find on the mission?
A: Every time we dive "we expect the unexpected." On the September 2003 cruise we observed and collected gelatinous zooplankton that have never been before. We also learned that certain jellyfish predators select only one kind of prey when they live in shallow basins but when the same species occurs in deep water canyons it consumes several different kinds of prey.
Q: What will you seek to find on future expeditions?
A: We plan to use special procedures, e.g., fatty acid analyses, metabolic measurements, and gene sequencing, to better define the ways that jellyfish have diversified and adapted to survive.
Science and technology are intertwined. Sometimes scientists have to wait for appropriate technology to be developed in order to answer specific questions. Sometimes the use of new technologies provide
information that spawns novel hypotheses.
Q: What do you find most rewarding and also most difficult in your line of work?
A: The chance to explore deep, dark and hyperbaric environments is always exciting because on every dive we learn something new. The ability to enter midwater environments for a few hours provides special opportunities to test our hypotheses about how animals behave individually and how they interact with one another.
The most frustrating aspect of pursuing deep water oceanography is the lack of access to the sea. There are too few undersea vehicles available to study the coastal regions or the more distant waters.
Q: What advice would you give to someone embarking on a career in science?
A: Obtain as broad an education as possible, e.g., study statistics, history, economics, sociology, music and art. Such a background allows a person to be more creative, to better distinguish natural and unnatural patterns and processes, and to clearly translate scientific conclusions for general public as well as for governmental agencies.
