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MTRMTR (Meteorological) Of? ce, the Icelan- science and capabilities with the robots, dic volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted or using arti? cial intelligence to analyze in April 2010. She had a direct role in the data.” SOI already has begun adapt- the ensuing crisis since the Met Of? ce ing its technology to pandemic-related functions as the regional prediction cen- restrictions, continuing the year-long ter for global ash production. Later that research mission aboard the R/V Falkor month, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that began in Australian waters in early occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, near 2020. Despite the lockdown, numerous where Virmani had previously lived and deepwater expeditions have been com- worked. She was asked to return to Flor- pleted with the help of a telepresence ida to help with the spill’s aftermath and crew. New discoveries have already did so later that year. Several years later been made, proving to Virmani that in 2017, while working as the senior despite COVID-19, there’s still much director for the XPRIZE Foundation more to achieve in the coming years. “I

Plant and Environment team, an entire think we’re in a new golden era of ocean test bed off the coast of Puerto Rico was exploration because this technology will destroyed by Hurricane Maria. Despite allow us to scale out a lot more. The other setbacks, including having lost ocean is so massive—we’ve only re- crucial data while pursuing her PhD, ally explored 5% of it, so we have such

Virmani emphasized the importance a vast area to cover and we’re going to of perseverance. “You can quit at any need this technology to help us do that.” time—I could’ve quit my PhD—so I The future for SOI looks promising, would say if you really want to do it, just with numerous achievements expected keep working at it and work through it.” in the coming months. A partnership

While discussing the future of marine with the Seabed 2030 Project (a col- science and technology, Virmani admit- laboration between the Nippon Foun- ted that it’s impossible to ignore the dation of Japan and the General Bathy- in? uence of COVID-19, both near and metric Chart of the Oceans) has been long term. Marine research and educa- announced, featuring a signed memo- tion have been largely impacted for the randum of understanding, as well as foreseeable future, with degree pro- con? rming SOI’s participation in shar- 06 grams being delayed or moved online ing sea? oor mapping data. Even more and research missions put on hold. How recently, the National Oceanic and At- the world deals with the crisis, though, mospheric Administration announced

Hawkes is a clue to changes in numerous ? elds its intention to strengthen a longstand- of science. “What this pandemic has ing relationship with SOI, with the goal done, and it’s not just in the ? eld of ma- of further exploring, mapping, and pro- rine science—it’s across the board—is tecting the ocean. SOI staff also look brought forward a lot of those technol- forward to technological advancements, ogy changes that we thought would take including a process for ROVs to collect much longer to achieve.” For Virmani, deep-water samples sustainably and the marine industry’s future is rooted in safely.

rapid technological advancement and With so much already overcome and

COVID-19 is simply demonstrating its accomplished, Virmani sees a limitless capabilities. “We’re on the cusp of a lot future. Her mission, laughingly quoting of streams coming together—not just in Star Trek, is “to boldly go.” She hopes to the ocean, but the infrastructure, too—so continue SOI’s work and further “push

I think we’re going to see this fantastic, and expand the ? eld of science and re- rapid increase as technology changes at search, as well as technology develop- an exponentially fast rate. We’re also ment opportunities at sea.” With her looking at, increasingly more and more, experience and passion, perhaps she’ll the intersections of different kinds of also embrace the words of Captain Jean- science and different kinds of technol- Luc Picard, “Things are only impossible ogy. For example, merging new material until they’re not.” 36 MTR

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