Maria Vernet
Maria Vernet, an assistant research biologist
in the Marine Research
Division, has sampling bottles of almost every size and shape in her
laboratory, that are home to the some of the smallest organisms in the world, phytoplankton. These organisms are actually microscopic plants that are found throughout the world's oceans.
She studies the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on phytoplankton looking for certain species able to produce UV absorbing compounds during this photosynthesis process. These special compounds screen out harmful frequencies of sunlight. The research she is conducting will lead to a more complete understanding of the cycling of carbon in the oceans since photosynthesis is the first step in the production of organic carbon.
Vernet was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and received a bachelor's degree in biological sciences at the University of Buenos Aires. She chose to leave South America and headed for the Pacific Northwest where she earned a master's degree and Ph.D. in oceanography at the University of Washington, Seattle. In 1986, she came south to Scripps as a postgraduate researcher.
For Vernet, the reasons for pursuing a career in oceanography were many. As a student, she found the scientific process fascinating. As a scientist, lab work, research cruises, and field studies hold more appeal than working in an office. Research expeditions, often lasting a few weeks to several months, take her to remote locations such as the North Atlantic Ocean and the polar waters of Antarctica.
Being a part of the international scientific community also gives Vernet great satisfaction. "I like the way scientists relate to each other," said Vernet. "There has always been a lot of free exchange between scientists. You always have friends everywhere." She added, "I think that's what keeps me in science."
In the future, she hopes to become more active in national and international environmental issues, such as the study of UV radiation and the ozone layer.
Her free time centers on family activities, including her children's soccer games and hiking and camping trips in the mountains.
Although family commitments sometimes compete with her research responsibilities, she believes that women should not overlook science as a career. If they think they like it, they should go for it. I don't think it's more difficult to be a female scientist than to have a career somewhere else."
© 1995