Participant Interview:
Kate Grof-Tisza
U.S. Naval Academy

Last night I had the opportunity to interview Kate Grof-Tisza, a senior interning aboard NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown. Kate will be graduating in May of 2001 from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. She will be graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Honors Oceanography. What are Kate's plans after graduation? She hopes to become a Naval Aviator, requiring her to remain in the Navy an additional 9 years.

This cruise marks Kate's 4th trip to sea. Kate has been aboard the John C. Stennis Aircraft Carrier in Australia as well as DD9-966 Hewitt, from San Diego. Kate says her favorite part about being at sea is meeting new people and learning about the new advances in oceanographic research.

Kate chose to participate in this cruise to help develop her Honors Research project. She will be attempting to develop a method for early detection of harmful algae plumes. She is helping the science team from 6:00p.m.until 6:00a.m. Her responsibilities include plotting points for tows, running the CTD computer and helping prepare the CTD for deployment.

When not working on deck, you can often find Kate running on the treadmill, reading a good book, emailing her family and friends in Pennsylvania or just catching up on sleep. When on land, Kate enjoys running, kayaking, hiking, water-skiing and snow skiing. Good luck Kate! Thanks for the interview!

Kate at the CTD control center.