Our first official event featured ocean engineers, scientists, and explorers who have some incredible field experience to share as they've gotten to lead or be a part of some fascinating discoveries at sea! You'll get to learn more about the innovations that enabled them to explore the depths of our blue planet, and connect with these leaders in the field!
About our panel:
Dr. Jeff Kaeli
Lead Scientist, Co-Founder, Co-Inventor - Armada Marine Robotics
Research Engineer - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Jeff received a PhD from the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanographic Engineering and has published research in underwater imaging, navigation, perception, and autonomy. He has operated underwater robots at naval bases from the United States to Europe and participated in field experiments ranging from imaging benthic communities in Antarctica to discovering centuries old shipwrecks in the Caribbean. Jeff has led the Asymmetric Propulsion development effort over the past several years at WHOI.
Ian Tomcho
Expedition Equipment Specialist - Lindblad Expeditions & National Geographic
Ian Tomcho is a Divemaster, expedition outfitter, and operations manager currently working at Lindblad Expeditions. He was a lead research assistant for the Dry Tortugas National Park Marine Science Program before joining Lindblad, and has dove in four of the world's five oceans. In 2015 he was a part of the first expedition dive team to successfully dive on the island of Isla de los Estados, a national preserve off the southern coast of Argentina. The media captured from these dives was included in a tourism management plan that helped preserve the cultural, historical and natural resources of the island. He now co-leads Lindblad's expedition dive program and manages logistics for their vessels worldwide. Ian graduated from the University of Miami RSMAS with a Master of Professional Science in Exploration Science.
Daniel Kleinman
Founder & CEO - Seaworthy Collective
Daniel Kleinman is Seaworthy Collective's Founder and CEO. Daniel received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida, focusing on ocean technology while following a passion for exploring and understanding the oceans. As an undergraduate, Daniel interned with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and became a University Innovation Fellow. After graduating in 2015, Daniel spent two years as a Pilot & Test Engineer for Bluefin Robotics' Bluefin-21 unmanned underwater vehicles in Boston. Daniel spent the following three years in San Diego as a Contractor for the Navy contributing to mechanical engineering R & D for maritime systems. Daniel recently started his Masters studies in Exploration Science at The University of Miami RSMAS. Daniel created Seaworthy Collective in early 2020, channeling his passion, network, and wealth of industry knowledge to help empower a community of current and aspiring ocean innovators and entrepreneurs.