Brandon Doheny is a marine scientist, diver, and sailor. Our conversation today ranges from crazy two hundred plus foot dives to eDNA sampling to teaching technology to identify sea creatures. Currently Brandon is on an extended sailing trip with his family, sailing from California to New Zealand, so of course we chat a bit about this adventure.
Connect with Brandon: website| instagram
Quick Links
Adventure Divers Channel Island Boat
Ocean Oil Platform
Bren School of Environmental Science and Management
Benthic Marine Ecology
Machine Learning
eDNA
AI Image Analysis Software ViQi
e3 Scientific Consulting Company
Dogtooth Tuna
Show Notes
0:19 Brandon starts off by sharing a little bit about his sailing adventures and what sparked his desire to sail the world from a young age.
2:01 With a childhood full of ocean and wilderness experiences, Brandon speaks about what inspired him to pursue a career in marine science.
3:42 We hear how Brandon was not solely focused on marine biology during his time in college and he shares how his path was filled with challenges and turning points that ultimately led him to where he is today. With perseverance, commitment, and a little flair Brandon was able to get a job working on a dive boat which finally got him hooked on the underwater world.
7:12 Diving to 230ft is something that any diver rarely has the chance to do. Brandon is one of the few that has experienced diving at that extreme depth, and he shares his experience with what diving to that depth is like.
9:16 After a lot of fun and excitement working on dive boats, Brandon knew that there was more he wanted to accomplish. Through a sailing adventure across the world, he was inspired to return to academia to become more involved in helping the ocean.
10:41 Brandon tells us why his experience at Bren School of Environmental Science was so valuable to him. In particular, how the school helped to really prepare him for life after college.
12:29 Creating a network is so important! After completing his masters at Bren, Brandon speaks about his first job as a researcher in the Santa Barbara channel with scientists he connected with while still at school.
14:52 How did Brandon’s love for underwater photography begin?
16:28 Brandon shares what his observations have been while diving the same ecosystems for years. How do dynamic reef structures and kelp forest change over time and what is the impact of oil rigs on these communities?
18:21 Data analysis using imagery is a very complex and time-consuming endeavor which is why Brandon worked closely with many people involved with machine learning. By combining artificial intelligence, machine learning, imagery, and marine research into one project, he used artificial intelligence programs to identify species in the images taken.
22:18 Brandon explains what environmental DNA (eDNA) is, how he has gotten involved with eDNA work, and why it is such an exciting and useful tool for the marine science field.
24:50 We hear Brandon talk about his goals of helping to bridge relationships between sailors on the ocean and the research world, including citizen science on the high seas.
26:44 Going back to the sailing side of Brandon’s life, we hear some great tips for anyone interested in taking on a sailing adventure across the ocean, especially with a young family on board.
29:23 Brandon talks about what the future hold for his family in New Zealand.
32:23 What is Brandon’s favorite sea creature? It’s a new one!
33:43 Freediving or Scuba?
33:53 Favorite field stories in the Santa Barbara channel.
35:55 Brandon answers the big blank check question.
38:09 Brandon’s conservation ask for the audience.
39:54 Connect with Brandon!
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