Home > GCR > Vol. 36 > Iss. 1 (2025)
Alternate Title
Rivers to the Deep Sea – Thoughts on my Career and Profession
Document Type
Ocean Reflections
Abstract
Abstract: In this essay I review my 45+ year career and some of the significant changes I have observed. This journey involved research in rivers and streams, estuaries, coastal systems (including the continental shelf), and the deep sea to a depth of about 4,000 m. After completing undergraduate (BS, Duke University) and graduate (MA, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and PhD, NC State University) degrees in zoology, I found jobs as a Fishery Biologist (NC Division of Marine Fisheries), a program Research Coordinator (NC National Estuarine Research Reserve), and a Research Professor (University of NC – Wilmington). Between 1971 and 2023 I participated in 49 offshore research cruises using 19 different research ships, eight submersibles, six ROVs, and a diverse array of gear. The first cruise I led as Chief Scientist was in 1980, and since then I have led 32 other cruises. Between cruises my lab and colleagues analyzed, presented and published data, participated in meetings in a variety of capacities, advised graduate students, and conducted research in inshore ecosystems not requiring ships. Some of this work contributed to long term monitoring programs and large scale marine protected areas. I review some of the changes I have observed in both technological and sociological arenas during my career.
First Page
i
Last Page
xix
DOI Link
Steve W. Ross Biography
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Statement
No artificial intelligence (AI) was used in the preparation of this manuscript
Recommended Citation
Ross, S. W.
2025.
Rivers to the Deep Sea – Thoughts on my Career and Profession.
Gulf and Caribbean Research
36
(1):
i-xix.
Retrieved from https://aquila.usm.edu/gcr/vol36/iss1/10
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18785/gcr.3601.10
