2025 EMERGE Program Recipients

Each year, the Marine Technology Society (MTS) proudly supports the growth and development of emerging professionals in the field of marine technology through our EMERGE Program. We are excited to introduce this year's participants, who have exhibited outstanding dedication and a strong commitment to advancing marine technology. Meet the individuals:

Madie (Madeleine) Bouvier-Brown, Open Ocean Robotics

" I am incredibly grateful to be part of this year’s EMERGE cohort. The last few years of my professional career have reaffirmed my passion for the intersection of technology and conservation, and being able to spend the next year learning from mentors who have so much knowledge and are aligned with the same values is the opportunity of a lifetime. I am excited to make the most of this program and connect with the mentors and the rest of the cohort.”

Bio: Madie is a Canadian early-career ocean professional who has spent her whole life around and in the ocean. She has a BSc in Marine Biology from the University of Victoria, and a MSc in Ecological Restoration from Simon Fraser University. Her master’s research focused on the effects of increased ambient noise levels on a local killer whale population, and her time up in the remote areas of British Columbia showed her how invaluable marine technology is to our understanding and protection of the oceans. Since graduating from SFU in 2022, Madie has worked at Open Ocean Robotics, a BC-based tech company dedicated to building and operating uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) for safer, more affordable, and sustainable ocean data collection and exploration. She is currently the Marine Operations Lead in their Ocean Services department, where she has worked on and headed projects for marine mammal monitoring, eDNA sampling, and illegal fishing mitigation, to name a few. When not working, Madie can often be found enjoying one of the many beautiful beaches or hikes that the Pacific Northwest offers.

Genevieve Coblentz-Strong, Oregon State University

"I’m incredibly grateful to MTS for the opportunity to participate in the EMERGE program. I’m excited to meet industry professionals, make connections with peers who are also in the early stage of their careers in marine technology, and to work with a mentor on fine-tuning my career path!”

Bio: Genevieve Coblentz-Strong is a class of 2025 graduate from Oregon State University where she received Bachelor of Science degrees in mechanical engineering and in oceanography. She has been passionate about the ocean since a young age and plans to apply her education, at-sea research, and technical experience toward a career in marine technology. Genevieve has spent the past three years working as a Technical Assistant at Oregon State University’s Innovation Lab (iLab) where she designed, built, and tested a low-cost environmental DNA sampler for use in marine-related research. She presented a poster on the eDNA sampler at the OCEANS 2024 Conference in Halifax and was the primary author on a paper published in the conference proceeding in IEEE. In association with MTS, Genevieve is developing a new microcredential course in marine prototyping that will be offered at the iLab. Genevieve is eager to continue applying her interdisciplinary experience to innovative solutions in ocean research and conservation!

Rebecca Cox, Duke University

"I am so excited to join a community of people dedicated to applying humanity’s technological progress to the betterment of marine environmental health. Having the support of a mentor through the EMERGE Program will enable me to build confidence in navigating professional spaces, finding opportunities for growth within this field, and forming a network that is a source of inspiration, collaboration, and fortification."

Bio: Rebecca Cox is a Master of Environmental Management student at Duke University. As a field researcher dedicated to environmental conservation, she is interested in the use of marine technology to conduct more ethical and accurate ocean research. Having recently studied seabirds and cetaceans with organizations including Point Blue Conservation Science and the Alaska Whale Foundation, Rebecca has experienced firsthand the disturbance that fieldwork can inflict on vulnerable ecosystems and organisms. She has realized the untapped potential for drone technologies to assist in reducing physical habitat disturbance; gathering holistic, accurate population estimates from an aerial perspective; and conducting non-invasive biological sampling. As part of her education, Rebecca is gaining expertise in drone building, operation, maintenance, and data processing so that she is equipped to conduct research that informs effective is spelled incorrectly, near the end of the paragraph marine management strategies.

Rabi Elabor, Florida A&M University 

"Receiving this scholarship is more than a recognition of my academic dedication—it is a transformative opportunity. It validates the impact of my research and strengthens my commitment to advancing environmental resilience and innovation. I’m honored to be selected for the EMERGE program again in 2025 and grateful for the continued opportunity to grow professionally and engage with leaders in the field."

Bio: Rabi Elabor is a driven and results-oriented environmental scientist with a unique blend of technical expertise and creative vision. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental Science at Florida A&M University (FAMU), where her work focuses on integrating environmental data, remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and design thinking to develop innovative solutions for marine technology, environmental resilience, environmental pollution, and sustainable water resource management.

With a strong foundation in environmental science, Rabi applies a multidisciplinary approach to addressing complex environmental challenges, utilizing tools such as GIS, nanoscience, microbial data interpretation, and advanced spatial modeling. Her work bridges science and technology, enabling her to communicate research findings in impactful and accessible ways.

She has contributed to nationally and internationally recognized projects, including the Rattlermoji Buoy Project and aquaculture spatial planning in the Gulf of Mexico. Rabi is passionate about harnessing the power of science, technology, and design to create meaningful environmental impact, drive innovation, and mentor the next generation of changemakers.

Joseph Gradone, Rutgers University

"Being selected for the EMERGE Program is deeply meaningful to me. MTS has played a key role in my growth as a scientist and communicator, and I’m excited for the chance to learn from others, expand my leadership skills, and give back to the community that’s been part of my journey from the start."

Bio: Joseph (Joe) Gradone is a physical oceanographer studying ocean circulation and its role in climate through a combination of autonomous glider observations, field campaigns, and numerical modeling. His current work as a postdoctoral researcher in the Rutgers University Center for Ocean Observing Leadership (RU COOL) focuses on the Caribbean region. Joe serves as a co-PI on an NSF-funded project that is utilizing both gliders and numerical ocean models to investigate water mass transport and mixing as part of a broader effort to understand global ocean-climate connections. Joe earned his Ph.D. in Oceanography with Dr. Travis Miles at Rutgers University (2020-2024), where his dissertation centered on understanding the dynamics of the Caribbean Through Flow using autonomous gliders equipped with a variety of sensors. Before that, he worked in marine technology at Teledyne Webb Research (2018-2020), supporting glider software testing, training, and field deployments. He also holds an M.S. in Oceanography from the University of Delaware (2016-2018), where I worked with Dr. Matthew Oliver, and a B.S. in Geology from the University of Colorado Boulder (2012-2016).

The Marine Technology Society has been influential throughout every step of his career. MTS sponsored Joe’s first glider training as a master’s student in 2017—a formative experience that helped shape his research path. During Joe’s Ph.D., he served as chair of the MTS New Jersey Student Section, where he organized a research symposium with funding support from MTS that fostered networking and research dissemination within the NJ ocean tech community.

Ara Hakim, Michigan Technological University

"I feel fortunate to be selected for the EMERGE program, which offers a valuable opportunity to broaden my perspective, particularly in exploring how my ongoing work in water resources management can contribute to sustainable solutions for the Great Lakes region. Through connections with industry partners, stakeholders engagement, and tailored mentorship, I look forward to growing both professionally and personally.”"

Bio: Ara Hakim’s career bridges academia and industry, specializing in water-related disciplines with a strong focus on renewable energy and marine consulting. Ara holds degrees in Oceanography, Coastal Geosciences, and Marine Science and Technology, with experience in sediment transport modeling, tidal energy resource assessment, operational forecasting, marine spatial planning, and metocean analysis for offshore operations. Over five years in consulting in Indonesia involved collaboration with stakeholders from provincial to federal levels, contributing to projects such as the ocean current forecast system development and marine renewable resource assessments. He also co-founded a private research group and served as technical director during its merger with a local, more established company.

Currently pursuing a PhD focused on hydrology and water resources modeling at Michigan Technological University, Ara combines research with practical teaching experience and have been recognized with a Best Teaching Award. His work aims to integrate science, policy, and industry practices to advance sustainable water and coastal system management.

Emma Havens, Northwestern University

"I'm very grateful to be participating in the MTS EMERGE program. It's very easy to feel directionless as a recent graduate, so I'm glad that there are still organizations and people willing to help get me where I want to go."

Bio: Emma Havens grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and attended Northwestern University for Computer Science and Earth Science. During her undergraduate, she worked closely with Trish Beddows and her research in the karst aquifers in the Yucatán Peninsula, aiding in the construction and testing of Arduino cave-drip sensors and temperature-pressure sensors. She has also participated in 2 field excursions to the Yucatán to learn about field methods and assist in sensor deployment and retrieval. She coded a numerical model on continent formation with Elvira Mulyukova, which she took to GSA 2023 and won the Cohen Junior Research Award.

Tyler Inkley, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

"I’m incredibly honored to join the EMERGE program. This opportunity represents a meaningful step in my journey to bridge innovative research and real-world impact in marine technology. I’m especially excited to learn from leaders across the field and contribute to a growing network of ocean engineers working toward a more connected, sustainable ocean future. "

Bio: Tyler Inkley is a PhD candidate in Ocean and Resources Engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where his research focuses on developing hybrid-class autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that integrate bio-inspired sensing and gyroscopic control for enhanced maneuverability. With a background in both academia and industry, Tyler brings over eight years of experience in marine technology and has been recognized with the Link Foundation Fellowship and UTIC Scholarship. He currently serves as Chair of the MTS Oʻahu Student Chapter.

Namith Kennedy, Northwestern Michigan College

"I am extremely grateful to be selected for the emerge program. It is a privilege and honor to be seen as part of the future. I will further strive to better myself and the Marine Technology field and return the investment I was gifted. "

Bio: Namith Kennedy is an undergraduate student at Northwestern Michigan College with a passion for marine technology and hands-on innovation. He works as a lead technician at the college’s makerspace, helping students and staff bring their ideas to life. Namith is actively growing his experience through conferences, specialized training, and a UNOLS MATE internship with the University of Delaware’s R/V Hugh R. Sharp. He looks forward to connecting and learning as an EMERGE Scholarship recipient at OCEANS 2025.

Narayan Kumar, University of Delaware

"Being selected for the MTS EMERGE Program is an incredible honor. It reflects how far I’ve come from a small village to advancing solutions for coastal resilience using marine technology and AI."

Bio: Narayan Kumar was born and raised in a small village in India. Fishing in ponds and paddy fields during his childhood, combined with the memory of rainwater, aggravated fluvial flood always intrigued him towards water and fluid mechanics processes. Narayan attended the National Institute of Technology in Agartala, India, earning a major in mechanical engineering (2016). There, Narayan became interested in fluid mechanics and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), specifically numerical modeling. In junior year, an industrial training at the shipyard raised his interest in ocean engineering and coastal processes. He joined the Process Engineering Team at Subros Limited, India, shortly after completing his undergraduate degree. 

Narayan worked as a process engineer on automotive air-conditioning system applications and largely focused on process and product establishment with computational fluid dynamics modelling of components. He furthered his education by pursuing a master’s in marine technology with a specialization in hydrodynamics for ocean engineering from École Centrale Nantes, France (2022). He is currently pursuing a PhD at the Center for Applied Coastal Research at the University of Delaware. His primary research interest is to apply high-fidelity numerical models to answer sediment transport-related research questions. His work bridges numerical modeling and sensor-based field data (using instruments like PIV, ADVP, OBS, CCP, and LIDAR) to better predict beach profile evolution and support sustainable coastal management. Narayan also uses machine learning models to enhance sediment transport predictions by integrating large-scale hydrodynamic datasets from simulations and field experiments, accelerating innovation in coastal engineering. Narayan was a 2023 Western Dredging Association (WEDA) Fellow and received awards and travel grants from the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the Hydrography Society of America (THSOA), the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA), and the USCRP for my contributions to marine technology and coastal research. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, working out, and being in the outdoors

Emma McGuiness, San Jose City College

"The EMERGE program is an opportunity for me to grow as both an environmental scientist and a conservationist. It allows me to step into spaces where I can learn from professionals advancing the frontiers of marine technology, and to connect with mentors and peers who share a commitment to protecting and understanding our oceans. I’m excited to build the technical skills and community that will support me through transfer, graduate study, and a lifelong career in marine research."

Bio: Emma McGuiness is an undergraduate student researcher with a strong interest in advancing non-invasive research methods for marine conservation. She is currently double majoring in Environmental Science and Biology at San Jose City College, where she also serves as the president of the campus’s Women in STEM club. Emma actively participates in citizen science initiatives across the San Francisco Bay Area, contributing to water quality monitoring and biodiversity assessments.

Emma's experience exploring environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis for marine biodiversity assessment and investigating the applications of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in environmental monitoring through intensive honors coursework at San Jose City College has helped her build a strong interdisciplinary foundation in both molecular and technological approaches to marine science.

Emma is passionate about the development and application of ethical, low-impact techniques such as eDNA analysis and remote sensing for studying sensitive or endangered marine species. Her long-term goal is to contribute to the field of marine biology through research that supports sustainable management of ocean ecosystems while minimizing disturbance to the organisms she studies.

Adyn McHugh, Northwestern Michigan College

"I am incredibly excited to be a recipient of the EMERGE scholarship through the Marine Tech Society, and believe that this will help me grow as an early career professional, and look forward to all it brings.”"

Bio: Adyn McHugh has been a student at Northwestern Michigan College for 4 years now. He started in 11th grade through the Early College Program. During his second year at NMC, he discovered the Bachelor of Science in Marine Technology program. Adyn knew instantly that this is what he wanted to do. Adyn is now a third year in the program and has been a recipient of the MTS Dieter Family Scholarship, EMERGE, THSOA US Hydro 25 Scholarship and student leader of the year because of his work with the Northwestern Michigan College Marine Technology Society Scholarship.

Olayinka Oshikoya, University of Southern Mississippi

 
"Being selected for the EMERGE Program affirms my commitment to advancing ocean mapping and marine technology. It inspires me to keep pushing boundaries through research, collaboration, and innovation.”

Bio: Olayinka is a Graduate Research Assistant and a Master’s student in the IHO CAT-A Hydrographic Science program at the University of Southern Mississippi. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Surveying and Geo-Informatics from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. His research at USM focuses on the application of machine learning and automation in hydrographic data processing, aiming to enhance the efficiency and quality control of seafloor mapping.

Professionally, he has over three years of experience in geospatial and hydrographic survey operations. Prior to graduate school, he worked as a Hydrographic Surveyor in a private survey firm, where he was involved in the planning and execution of offshore surveys. He has contributed to numerous offshore and AUV-based mapping projects in both the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Guinea.

Yixuan Song, University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography

"I am more than grateful to have been selected for the EMERGE program. This world class program’s network and mentorship will help me build meaningful connections and deepen my involvement in marine technology. I’m especially excited about attending the OCEANS conference to learn from experts and discuss emerging technologies."

Bio: Yixuan Song is postdoc research associate at University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography. Yixuan holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from Penn State University and made a transition to physical oceanography two years ago. His research interests include development of autonomous instruments and small-scale oceanic processes. Particularly, he is interested in bridging the laboratory experimentation with field observations. During his PhD, he developed novel laboratory and field instruments to study the mechanical properties of marine snow particles. At URI GSO, he is developing low-cost upward-facing underwater camera systems to measure the particulate organic carbon flux and particle sinking behaviors.

Venkata Madhav Tadavarthi, University of Maryland, College Park

"Being selected for the EMERGE Program is an incredible opportunity to grow as a leader and connect with a community that values innovation and purpose-driven impact, in the field of underwater robotics."

Bio: Madhav is currently pursuing a Master’s in Robotics at the University of Maryland, College Park. He completed his undergraduate degree in Computer Science at IIITDM Kancheepuram, Chennai, India. His passion for robotics began in childhood and was further fueled by his undergraduate experience on a student-led robotics team. Participating in international competitions such as SAUVC and MATE-ROV inspired him to explore underwater robotics research in greater depth.

With over three years of experience as a Robotics Developer during his undergraduate studies, Madhav developed strong expertise in Computer Vision, Path Planning, the ROS Navigation Stack, and Object Detection. His skills were further enhanced through multiple internships, where he tackled real-world robotics challenges in both academic and industry settings.

Among the various domains of robotics, Madhav has always been most fascinated by underwater systems. The complexity of working in unstructured, communication-limited environments—and the potential to make real-world contributions to marine research and exploration—strongly drew him to the field. This passion led him to spearhead the development of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), where he oversaw system design, perception modules, and navigation strategies. Under his leadership, the AUV team successfully competed in three major international competitions, reinforcing his commitment to advancing underwater robotics.

In addition to underwater robotics, Madhav has contributed to projects in multi-robot coordination, autonomous aerial vehicles, and intelligent control systems. His graduate studies have further deepened his expertise in Modeling, Controls, Planning, Perception, Multi-Robot Systems, Deep Learning, and Artificial Intelligence. He is currently engaged in research and simulation involving swarm behavior, emergent coordination strategies, and sonar-based perception for underwater environments.

Jackson Tunheim, EGS Americas

"Being selected for the EMERGE program validates the work I have put into my student section over the last 2 years, and will provide me with more opportunities for growth in the technical and dynamic field of marine technology."

Bio: I graduated from Eckerd College in May 2025 with a B.S. in Marine Science. Over the course of my undergraduate studies, I am most proud of founding a student chapter of MTS. I have presented a research poster which won the Odyssey Award, leading to interviews by the USF Radio station and Central Florida Public Radio. I have been on three research cruises, most recently aboard the R/V Sikuliaq, where I applied oceanographic principles to calibrate sensor packages and deepened my interest in hydrographic research tools. Shortly before graduation, I accepted a position as a Junior Surveyor at EGS Americas, where I am currently gaining practical experience in beach surveying and becoming proficient with equipment such as Side Scan Sonar, Multibeam Echosounders, and Sub-Bottom Profilers to support subsea cable route planning.