As an Expedition Leader aboard E/V Nautilus, my responsibilities include overseeing the health and well-being of our science team, communicating with the captain and crew, sending out daily Situation Reports, updating our schedule, and ensuring expedition goals/objectives are met.

As the Communications Lead aboard E/V Nautilus, I host dozens of live video broadcasts from the ship. I also provide mentorship and training to our Science Communication Fellows, as well as produce professional content (photography, video clips, and written features) that highlight the goals and accomplishments of our expedition.

As a video engineer aboard E/V Nautilus, I control live cameras on deep-sea remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) up to a depth of 4,000 meters. I also assist with maintaining over two dozen live topside cameras, and managing video routers, broadcast intercoms and data systems.

Since 2018, I have joined over 20 major ocean science expeditions on vessels in the Pacific, the North Atlantic, the Caribbean, and the Antarctic Peninsula. I have worked with a wide variety of research teams on both domestic and international projects sponsored by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Ocean Exploration Trust, and many others. My work has been featured in major media outlets including CNN and CBS, as well as a Ted Talk at the National Academy of Sciences. Learn more about my work at sea and the stories I produce at mlparkermedia.com

Each fall and spring, I teach an online course focused on how to build a business (and career) as a freelance science communicator. The four-week course provides students with essential tools and insights including:Get tech savvy: learn the basics of website design, professional social media presence, email newsletters, and personal branding.Grow your network: learn what approaches actually work for making professional connections and getting hired for science communication projects.Get paid: learn how to establish your rates, know your worth, and find resources to help you navigate the self-employment world, from taxes to accounting to financial planning.Keep it real: recognize that full-time freelance work is tough at times. Engage in thoughtful discussions about overcoming insecurities, coping with self-doubt or uncertainty, and building confidence and community.

I've had the pleasure of working alongside WHOI scientists and engineers during four different expeditions (aboard three different vessels). In August 2022, I documented the Alvin Science Verification expedition in the Caribbean. My photos from that expedition were published by CNN (and several other media outlets) and my video "A Look back at Alvin Science Verification" was honored in WHOI's Best of 2022.Most recently, I documented WHOI engineers working aboard the E/V Nautilus as they conducted dive operations with AUV Mesobot.

* Long-form feature writing for the Arts & Sciences Magazine * Feature writing for unc.edu and UNC Global

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, I wrote and edited a series of features about FastTraCS and their production of devices to make face masks more effective.

During three expeditions aboard the R/V Falkor, I produced 10 feature videos, wrote 35 blog posts, and took thousands of photos.

* Reported on the impact of UNC Research in North Carolina and around the world.* Planned, filmed, and edited all video content for UNC Research. * Conducted interviews with researchers for both video and written features. * Wrote long-form feature articles about science, health, and social issues.* Produced articles and photo essays for various print publications on campus.

* Created short video spotlights for various departments in the College of Arts & Sciences. * Filmed interviews and b-roll, edited all content, and managed all post-production. * Uploaded videos to the web and promoted them via social media. * Photographed special events on campus. * Contributed photography and copy editing to the College of Arts & Sciences magazine.

* Traveled across North Carolina to film and conduct interviews with students, teachers, school administrators, and hospital staff. * Filmed b-roll footage and edited all content to produce seven video spotlights on the organization's efforts to promote tobacco cessation, balanced nutrition, and active lifestyles. * Managed branding and organization of the organization's YouTube channel.

* Photographed people and events at UNC and around the Chapel Hill area. * Managed daily assignments for the DTH photo staff. * Formatted all images and captions for the newspaper by deadline.