Navigating STEM as an ocean robotics engineer | Emery Nolasco

Careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) include diverse roles that go far beyond the traditional scientist in a lab coat. This is the first episode of a new video series called Navigating STEM, where we’re sharing how our staff navigated the waves on the way to a career at MBARI—and where they’re going from here. There are hundreds of paths to an ocean STEM career, and some of them may surprise you!

MBARI engineer Emery Nolasco talks about how tinkering and robotics led her to a career working with autonomous underwater vehicles to help scientists study the deep sea.

Senior Producers: Heidi Cullen, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun, Madison Pobis (MBARI video team)
Producer/Editor/Videographer: Madison Pobis
Production Support: Shari Bell
Music: Mind Games (pinegroove), Puzzling Discoveries (pinegroove), Anemoi Winds (Lance Conrad), Inside the Micro World (vitaminsound), Light of Hope (David Schuster)

Follow MBARI’s exploration and discoveries:

[ronroman]

Very inspiring. It made my four-year-old say “I want to make robots that go in the water.” That’s priceless. I am hopeful that MBARI will produce many more videos like this.

[Knax]

wow, very inspiring, thank you for sharing your story Emery.
I'm finishing my master's in a couple of months and i really appreciate this type of video. gives me perspective as I am about to enter the job market.

[lauraortega]

This is so inspiring. I live in CA near SF and I’ve been fascinated with the ocean/science/art/academics in general tbh since I was a kid!

[ryanmoeller]

I'm a Helicopter Mechanic and sometimes I question what engineer's are thinking when they make stuff a certain way.. Looks good on paper and in the CAD system, but in reality.. Not so much.. LOL.. Keep up the GREAT work! Much respect and support from Yuma, AZ. 👍👍

[sanches]

It is a good thing just to stop for a second and just soak in one of those moments when you're making stuff and designing stuff and it's all comming together. Just stop, look and enjoy that this is what you wanted to do and you're doing it at the moment. I've had a couple of those during my 16years of engineering life so far and it is an awesome feeling. Sometimes it is boring and mundane and nothing works andnthere are idiots, but when all starts comming together and the thing you're doing works - now that's when it pays off:)

[Someone-hvzz]

I wish my school had robotics!! Cool stuff you’re doing Emery, engineers rule!!

[sundeer]

I ONLY LOVE ABYSSAL FISHES !!, What fish can be found in point nemo? I can imagine it!

[Polaris]

Very inspiring story from you 😊 You are so beautiful and as a lady you have a unique career and outlook in life. Good luck with your career, cheers to you!

[chuckymystic]

I was on team 1612 the robosharks. I drove and did the electrical.

[aaronmcentee]

You have the most beautiful smile. You have a fantastic job, getting to see the things most people dont. Things that are as besutiful and wonderful as you 🙂