Melinda Martinez participates in Ocean Exploration Trust internship program aboard the E/V Nautilus By: Melinda Martinez                 HRI’s MS student, Melinda Martinez, was recently awarded an Ocean Science and Mapping intern position with Ocean Exploration Trust aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus. The Ocean Exploration Trust internship program is competitive, awarding a limited number of internship positions each year. One internship position is reserved for a representative of the NOAA’s Cooperative Science Centers. Melinda will be representing NOAA Environmental Cooperative Science Center (ECSC) as an Ocean Science and Mapping intern. Aboard the Nautilus, she will be assisting in data management during dives by recording operational events, taking captures from the ROV cameras, logging samples obtained during dives, and participating in scientific discussions by answering Nautilus viewer questions. While not diving, she will be assisting the lead data manager by compiling and writing dive reports; processing and archiving samples; and creating metadata for dives and processed samples.    Figure 1. Melinda Martinez and the E/V Nautilus Melinda will have the opportunity to participate in the Gulf of Mexico cruise from May 13-19, and the California Borderlands from August 11-19. The Gulf of Mexico cruise will be exploring seafloor habitats at mid-slope and lower slope depths, including hard substrate coral habitats, hydrocarbon seeps, mud volcanoes, and brine pools. The California Borderlands cruise will explore previously unstudied regions to improve understanding of the offshore extent of submerged geohazards. Follow Melinda’s daily blog to learn about her experiences aboard the Nautilus at www.nautilus2015.wordpress.com. You can also watch Nautilus live stream video 24 hours a day at www.nautiluslive.org or join either their Facebook or Twitter accounts for updates on upcoming dives.