Student Involvement

Dakota Goldinger - Pilot
Toms River, NJ, Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES)
My name is Dakota, I am a marine science major working in the COOL room. I have been involved with both the construction and piloting of our gliders. This year I have also worked on making international connections and gaining data from other sources to aid in flight path planning. I will be one of the main pilots during Scarlet Knight's flight this year as it makes its way across the ocean.

Shannon Harrison - Pilot
Bayville, NJ, Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES)
Hi, my name is Shannon. This is my second year working with the gliders with the main focus being on the transatlantic crossing. I have been involved with both the piloting and construction of the gliders. This year I have also acted as an ambassador and was one of the students sent to the Azores to build our partnership with them. The knowledge I gained from that trip will help aid in the flight planning for this years mission. Along with Dakota I will be one of the main pilots for Scarlet Knight's voyage.

Emily Rogalsky - Engineering and Pilot
Jackson, NJ, Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES)
Hello, my name is Emily. My involvement with Transatlantic Crossing so far has been aiding with engineering improvements such as the construction of the battery packs. Once the glider is deployed I will help pilot it across the Atlantic Ocean.  I just returned from the Azores Islands where I served as an ambassador for the University. It is crucial to increase the involvement of students in science and we are doing that by creating a global community.

Kaycee Coleman - Biological Interactions and Flight Planning Hillsborough, NJ, Hillsborough High School
Hi, my name is Kaycee.  This is my second semester in the atlantic crossing class.  My main goal with Scarlet Knight, the Scarlet Knight, is to look at what biology might be attacking it, attaching to it, or slowing it down.  I can accomplish this by mapping out which species cross the gliders path across the North Atlantic by using OBIS, the Ocean Biogeographic Information System.  Additionally, I've been working on updating the website to keep a good public interface as well as learning about CODAR to help with the flight planning.

Dave Kaminsky - Biological Interactions and Flight Planning
Marlboro, NJ, Marlboro High School
Hey, my name is Dave. I am researching the types and locations (latitude, longitude, and depth) of biological interactions which the glider will encounter on its flight across the Atlantic. This will enable us to adjust the glider's flight path accordingly to minimize the potential biological danger threats to the glider and maximize the efficiency and safety of the glider. With this biological knowledge, combined with real-time physical oceanographic data, I am also planning the path on which we will pilot the glider to travel.

Danielle Holden - Flight Planning and Biological Interactions
Basking Ridge, NJ, Ridge High School
Hello!  My name is Dani.  I am working with others comparing CODAR maps and deployment maps to determine Scarlet Knight's path into the Gulf Stream. I am also using OBIS to uncover species that could affect Scarlet Knight's upcoming flights.

Kathrine Bianchini - Engineer
Hillsborough, NJ, Hillsborough High School
Hi, my name is Katie. I am currently majoring in Civil Environmental Engineering with a minor in Marine Sciences. Most of my work with the gliders is either software based or mechanical. To prepare Scarlet Knight for her flight I have been working on the flight characteristics such as the steering configuration, pitch, heading, etc... Before she is ready for deployment I will be adding on the finishing touches before we bid her farewell.

Rhea Reyes - Flight Path Planning
Metuchen, NJ, Metuchen High School
Hi, my name is Rhea. This is my first year doing the Atlantic Crossings Class and I am looking at the sea surface temperature satellite data to choose the route Scarlet Knight should take to get into the Gulf Stream.  Hope this is enough.

Nilsen Strandskov - Flight Path Planning
Towaco, NJ Montville Township High School
Hey, my name is Nilsen and I am majoring in biological oceanography with a minor in environmental and business economics and this is my second semester in the atlantic crossings class. I started off reading the United Nations Convention on The Law of the Sea which establishes guidelines for the appropriate use of the worlds oceans to make sure we don't violate any laws on our crossing. Now I am working with other students plotting CODAR data to see surface current vectors to help plot our path into the Gulf Stream.

Hi, my name is Justin Shapiro. My primary involvement with the Trans Atlantic crossing is operation path planning. My responsibilities range from creating data products to visualize the state of the ocean near the glider to choosing the direction that the robot will fly. I integrate datasets taken and collected on both sides of the Atlantic, and combine them in an open, freely accessible format. Over the past two years, I have also developed path planning software that simulates the potential routes of many 'virtual gliders' to see how we can maximize the distance that RU17 can cover by using the currents to its advantage.

Hi, my name is Anthony Lund. I have been involved with the flight characteristics and path planning for Ru17. We have been exploring inputs for optimizing our flight, as well as conserving power. We have also been planning way points which will place us in favorable currents, which will give us the most eastward distance traveled, analogous to having a tailwind.

Hi, my name is Evan Randall-Goodwin. The codar stations in Galicia will be very important for the last leg of the journey. This will give us very accurate, real time current data close to the coast of Spain. I am working on preparing the landing zone. I have studied some of the dominant currents in that area and have worked on some bathymetric charts. Everyone in Spain is hoping that it will land in Baiona seeing as it is where the Pinta arrived from the new world in 1493. Although I have not started yet, I will be working on an article for a spanish newspaper trying to sum up our mission. Andres (in Qualitas) hopes that this will be printed around October 12. Columbus Day is also very important here!

Hello, my name is Emily Rogalsky. My involvement with the Transatlantic Crossing has been with the setup of the website. I helped write the history page as well as put together a page of data links that will assist my team-mates who are planning the glider's path. I think it is essential to educate the public about what is going on in order for them to further understand our mission. Providing facts about past transatlantic journeys is one way to do that.

Hello, my name is Danielle Holden. My involvement with the Transatlantic Crossing has been identifying the biological disturbances of the glider, and setting the glider's course of travel. My main responsibility, however, is to inspect CODAR sites so that incoming glider missions are successful in the future.