A Journey into the Deep Ocean

Cindy Lee Van Dover is the first woman and first Ph.D. recipient to complete the rigorous training necessary to pilot the Alvin submersible research vehicle. Her experience has allowed her to explore the ocean floor to depths of more than 3,600 meters, and to serve as an active participant and chief scientist in NSF-, NASA-, and NOAA-sponsored field programs to hydrothermal vents and other chemosynthetic environments worldwide.

In 2006, Van Dover was named the first women director of the Duke University Marine Laboratory. She also serves as chair of the Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment. The recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Award, Van Dover obtained a master’s degree in ecology from UCLA and completed her doctoral work in biological oceanography through the MIT/WHOI Joint Program. She has received numerous professional recognitions for her teaching and research and has published more than 70 articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Van Dover has also authored a popular book, The Octopus’s Garden (aka Deep-Ocean Journeys) and a textbook, The Ecology of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents.

RSVP to Beth Ryan (bryan@whoi.edu) or (508) 289-2414.