UH Hilo marine science student Hayden Niles interns on research vessel exploring deep-sea habitats of Marshall Islands
Out of hundreds of applicants, Hayden Niles was chosen one of only 14 interns to join the expedition, “Deep-Sea Habitats of the Marshall Islands,” working side-by-side with a team of seasoned researchers.
By Susan Enright/UH Hilo Stories.
A marine science student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is currently interning on the 68-meter exploration vessel Nautilus exploring the deep-sea surrounding the Marshall Islands.
Out of hundreds of applicants, Hayden Niles was chosen one of only 14 interns to join the expedition, “Deep-Sea Habitats of the Marshall Islands,” working side-by-side with a team of seasoned researchers using mapping sonars, remotely operated vehicle systems (ROV), and other exploration technologies.
The vessel is run by the Ocean Exploration Trust, a nonprofit that conducts multitudes of oceanic expeditions focused on scientific exploration of the seafloor, collaborates with the broader research community to identify priority regions and phenomena, and shares the expeditions in real time with the public and researchers around the world.
“I became interested in Ocean Exploration Trust after watching videos and streams of their expeditions when I was in high school,” says Niles, who hails from South Dakota. “Later, while studying marine science at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, I learned about their (Semester in Environmental Science Program). After discovering the opportunity, I applied and was thrilled to be selected to join an expedition team, where I could gain hands-on experience and further my passion for ocean exploration.”
The 21-day expedition currently underway is focused on exploring deep-sea habitats of the Marshall Islands, July 27 through August 17. The researchers are using the mapping, ROV, and telepresence systems of the Nautilus to collect critical ocean baseline information to support the Marshall Islands Marine Spatial Planning process. Outcomes also include the continuing work of long-standing collaborations between the United States and the Marshall Islands on protecting fisheries and the environment and strengthening regional security.
“What else could be down there?”
Niles, who is minoring in chemistry, says he’s dedicated to further developing his skills in marine science and raising awareness about environmental issues and the health of oceans.
“As a child, I played a Wii game called ‘Endless Ocean: Blue World,’ which let me explore the ocean as if I were actually there,” he says. “I was fascinated by the depths of the ocean and would often ask myself, ‘What else could be down there?’ This sparked my curiosity and led me to reading and watching programs about the ocean, which further fueled my interest. These experiences inspired me to pursue a marine science degree and a career in deep-sea exploration.”
He credits his parents with inspiring and encouraging him the most to pursue his dreams.
“My parents have always supported my passion for the ocean,” he says. “They took me to aquariums, taught me how to snorkel, and helped me get SCUBA certified, which allowed me to dive in the oceans that I so loved. They have also fully supported my decision to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo to pursue my marine science degree. Their encouragement has played a huge role in fueling my love for the sea and inspiring me to explore it further.”
Hayden says his journey toward a career in deep-sea exploration began with his work as a fisheries intern at Blue Dog Lake State Fish Hatchery, where he gained hands-on experience in water chemistry monitoring, fish transportation, and population surveys, along with maintaining and operating hatchery water systems. Following this, he worked as a fisheries technician with South Dakota Game Fish and Parks, where he focused on fish population surveying and field sampling.
“As a marine science student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, I’ve further developed my skills through coursework and hands-on experiences, including SCUBA diving and underwater surveys,” he says. “Volunteering for marine-related projects has also helped expand my knowledge and passion for the ocean. These combined roles and experiences have provided me with technical and practical skills necessary to pursue my career in deep-sea exploration.”
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Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
