2026 EMERGE Program Recipients
With our largest cohort yet, MTS is excited to welcome the 2026 EMERGE participants. This group of students and early career ocean professionals (ECOPs) will spend the next year building skills, growing their network, and deepening their engagement with the broader marine technology community through professional development and personalized mentorship. Meet the 2026 EMERGE cohort:
Aatmaj Bhayani, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
"The EMERGE Program represents an opportunity to learn from leaders in marine technology, exchange ideas with peers from around the world, and grow as a researcher. I am excited to build connections that will help shape my future contributions to marine robotics."
Aatmaj Bhayani is a Dual Degree student in Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, where he conducts research in marine robotics at the Marine Autonomous Vehicles Laboratory (MAV Lab). His research focuses on autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), underwater perception, digital twins, and 3D reconstruction for marine inspection and environmental monitoring.
He led the development of an indigenous AUV and represented IIT Madras at the Singapore Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Challenge (SAUVC) 2024. His current research has resulted in three accepted papers at the IEEE OES OCEANS Sanya 2026 conference. He was also selected as one of 18 finalists in the Student Poster Competition for his work on a virtual tethering framework for AUV-enabled coral reef monitoring, which uses neural scene representations and residual image transmission to enable change-aware inspection over low-bandwidth underwater communication channels.
He is passionate about advancing autonomous marine systems and looks forward to contributing to the marine robotics community through research and collaboration.
Andrew Bradfield, Northwestern Michigan College
“I am excited and grateful to be selected for the EMERGE Program. It feels like a real opportunity to grow, explore, and learn from people who are already doing the kind of work I hope to be part of.”
Andrew Bradfield is a Marine Technology student at Northwestern Michigan College and a 35-year-old returning student pursuing a new career path. Originally from Traverse City, Michigan, he has always had a strong connection to the water and the Great Lakes region. Since returning to school, Andrew has earned Dean’s List recognition each semester and found a field that truly matches his adventurous spirit and interest in hands-on learning. He has also been selected for a NOAA research trip out of Charleston in July and a Great Lakes research trip in August. Andrew is passionate about building a career that combines exploration, travel, and meaningful work on the water, and he is excited to attend Underwater Intervention in New Orleans this December.
Cierra Braga, Brevard Public Schools
“I am so excited and grateful to be a part of this year's EMERGE cohort! I'm looking forward to connecting with peers who are also in the early stage of their careers, meeting industry professionals, and having the support and guidance of a mentor.”
Cierra Braga completed her PhD in Oceanography at the Florida Institute of Technology in May 2025. Her dissertation research focused on biofouling prevention practices and impacts through the use of UVC as an antifoulant. She also holds an M.S. in Biological Oceanography and a B.S. in Marine Biology. She worked in a lab that combined engineering and biology so she was able to assist with projects involving not only biofouling communities, but with corrosion and ROVs too; meanwhile during her time as an undergraduate student she assisted in a lab that focused on genetics in echinoderms. Cierra currently teaches 5th grade science and has implemented an enrichment group focused on marine science where the 5th and 6th grade students can learn about different aspects of marine science including the technical skills involved in research.
Edoardo Ivan (Edo) Sarda, Lake Superior State University
"Being selected for the EMERGE Program is both an honor and an opportunity to grow as a leader. I look forward to learning from an exceptional cohort of colleagues while gaining new perspectives that will help me better serve my students, my institution, and the engineering community."
Dr. Edoardo I. Sarda is an Associate Professor of Robotics Engineering at Lake Superior State University (LSSU), where he serves as Robotics Engineering Program Coordinator and leads research in autonomous robotic systems, with a particular emphasis on maritime robotics and industrial automation. Before joining academia, he worked as an industrial robotics engineer, bringing extensive industry experience into the classroom and research laboratory.
Dr. Sarda has led the development and modernization of LSSU's Robotics Engineering curriculum, expanded interdisciplinary engineering programs, and directed numerous student research projects that have earned recognition at national and international competitions, including RoboBoat, RobotX, and the National Robotics Challenge. His research focuses on autonomous surface vehicles, artificial intelligence, robotic perception, and intelligent control systems, resulting in peer-reviewed publications and collaborations with industry and government partners.
Passionate about experiential learning, Dr. Sarda is committed to preparing the next generation of robotics engineers through hands-on education, applied research, and strong partnerships between academia and industry.
Elizabeth Estrada, Riverside City College
“It is an honor to be selected for the EMERGE program, this opportunity is meaningful for my career growth in marine conservation. It is a special opportunity to be given support from professionals who will help develop my independence as I enter academia. And I am excited to be around peers who are equally as dedicated as I to researching the ocean.” Elizabeth Estrada is an undergraduate student at Riverside City College interested in doing research in marine conservation. She is curious of the application of robotic technology within the field to find more efficient and accurate methods of monitoring marine ecosystems.
Elizabeth in the summer of 2025 was selected to be a research intern for the Mystic Aquarium REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) where she worked in the Evolutionary Fish Ecology Lab to observe the diurnal burying behavior of a fish called sand lance. Cameras were set up around a tank to record the fish, focusing on patterns in their schooling behavior during the day and most importantly the night. Allowing for the natural behavior of the animals to be seen without intrusion. Her role over the summer was to lead the fish husbandry and observations. It is here she learned the importance of technology in observing marine life and ecosystems.
She has had experience with marine data loggers and looks forward to explore more of the array of technology the field has to offer.
Jagadeesh Kadiyam, Dept. of Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture at IIT Kharagpur
"For a better tomorrow, we need better oceans. I see EMERGE as an opportunity to connect innovation, collaboration, and leadership in pursuit of that vision."
Jagadeesh Kadiyam is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture, at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. He was previously a faculty at the Centre for AI and Robotics at IIT Mandi, India. He completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at IIT Indore in 2021. With experience in product design and development, he specializes in the design, mathematical modelling, control, fabrication, integration, and testing of field robots and marine systems.
Throughout his career, he has been involved in various development projects, from conceptualization to prototype level, and has participated in significant launch and recovery missions for field robots in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. His contributions to marine robotics have earned him the prestigious ‘IEI Young Engineers Award 2020-21’ from The Institution of Engineers (India). He has also received two ‘Teaching Excellence Awards’ from IIT Mandi.
Jagadeesh is actively involved in some research projects, serving as Principal Investigator for various research grants. He has published in reputed peer reviewed journals and has been a reviewer for several academic journals. His research interests include unmanned vehicle navigation, teleoperation, and mobile manipulation in terrestrial and underwater robots.
Jomphol (Jom) Lamoonkit, University of Miami
“Being selected for the EMERGE Program is an incredible opportunity for me to learn from and collaborate with a community of professionals from diverse backgrounds. As someone who aspires to bridge the intersection between oceanography and ocean engineering, I am super excited to join the program and learn how to create greater impact through research and beyond.”
Jomphol (Jom) Lamoonkit is currently a Ph.D. student in Ocean Sciences at the University of Miami. His research focuses on integrating oceanography and oceanographic engineering. His current research spans the analysis of BGC-Argo float observations to investigate marine biogeochemical processes in the Bay of Bengal and the development of a shipboard analyzer for measuring thiosulfate and sulfite in seawater. He enjoys spending time on research cruises at sea as well as developing oceanographic instruments in the laboratory.
Prior to joining the University of Miami, Jom earned his M.S. in Ocean and Resources Engineering from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where he specialized in oceanographic instrumentation and developed an automated sampling system for measuring benthic biogeochemical fluxes.
As a senior undergraduate student at Tokyo Institute of Technology, he used spatial numerical modeling to investigate how rock weathering influences the ocean's capacity to absorb and store atmospheric carbon dioxide near the Sulawesi Islands. His interdisciplinary background in oceanography, engineering, instrumentation, and data analysis has shaped his interest in developing new tools and approaches for studying the ocean.
Kelsey Lane, Oregon State University
“Being selected for the EMERGE Program is a chance to connect with the marine technology community, learn from mentors across the Blue Economy, and bring those opportunities back to my students at Oregon State.”
Kelsey Lane is an Assistant Professor of Teaching in Oceanography at Oregon State University (OSU). She has a Ph.D. in Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from OSU, a master’s degree in Marine Resource Management from OSU, and a B.A. in Geology–Biology from Brown University. Before graduate school, she worked as a marine technician and merchant mariner. She has spent over 1,000 days at sea and sailed in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. She still loves sailing on research cruises and on her own small sailboat in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Kelsey is developing and teaching new course offerings focused on ocean technology careers. She is excited to collaborate with the Marine Technology Society and the MTS community and to bring their expertise and knowledge to her undergraduate students.
Kyle Abrahm, Ocean Aero
“I always thought combining my ocean passion with engineering skills was a small niche until I came across the Marine Technology Society. I am excited to learn how people are pursuing environmental ocean change through engineering and meet those change makers through the EMERGE program.”
At the age of ten, Kyle began working at his local dive shop in Colorado and founded a nonprofit dedicated to educating the next generation about the ocean through research and community events. He went on to study mechanical engineering at Duke University, where he worked as a dive guide in Indonesia and started a scuba diving club. Today, Kyle is a mechanical engineer at Ocean Aero, where he helps design and manufacture their next-generation sailing and diving autonomous ocean vehicle.
Mason Diaz, Rutgers University
“I’m incredibly grateful to be chosen for this year’s EMERGE cohort. Having already been exposed to the value of MTS through their glider training in collaboration with Rutgers, I’m excited to connect with peers who share a passion for ocean technology. I most look forward to learning from my mentors who can help me navigate my path as a mechanical engineer in the ocean tech industry.”
Mason Diaz is a junior undergraduate student at Rutgers University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. After being introduced to ocean technology through a marine science course and Rutgers’ frequent work with Slocum gliders, Mason had the opportunity to intern at the Rutgers Center for Ocean Observing Leadership (RUCOOL), supporting the Redwing glider and the Sentinel Mission. In this role, they processed and analyzed large engineering datasets, collaborating directly with Teledyne Webb Research to ensure successful mission deployment and glider performance. Currently, Mason now works as an intern at Teledyne Webb Research, assisting the Glider Support team in standard procedures, as well as optimization of flight dynamics for their line of Slocum Sentinel gliders.
Beyond their data-driven research, Mason demonstrates strong technical leadership on campus. They serve as the Propulsion Lead for RUAutonomous, Rutgers’ autonomous drone club, where they lead the physical integration and wiring of power and flight systems. Mason plans to expand the club’s scope to include underwater drones for the first time, aiming for the MATE ROV competition in 2027. To build momentum ahead of this upcoming fall, Mason is currently designing a 3D-printed prototype ROV to showcase its functionality and guide prospective club members through the hardware design process.
Mason is eager to participate in the EMERGE program to gain a deeper understanding of the technical design processes behind UUVs while building lasting connections within the global ocean technology community. He hopes to pursue a career in the mechanical design of ROVs and AUVs.
Mathew Schwartzman, NEREID Ocean Conservation
“I’m beyond ecstatic to be accepted into the MTS EMERGE program! I truly feel like the mentorship provided and the support of my cohort will help me build a marine robotics career in better service to the oceanographic community! We all have a part to play in supporting ocean health, and I know EMERGE will help me play mine!”
Mathew Schwartzman is a Marine Robotics Engineer studying operational multi-domain autonomy for practical scientific and oceanographic applications. He has published research at the IEEE Oceans Conferences and at ICRA on multi-agent autonomy, high-level maritime simulation, and ultra-low-cost sensing. An alum of both WPI’s robotics program and the WHOI Deep Submergence Lab, he works all along the tech stack as well as the water column, supporting robotic vehicles from the surface to the abyssal plain. Now he helps lead a non-profit dedicated to connecting ocean researchers, startups, and NGOs across the New England region. In his spare time he likes to experiment with cooking sustainable seafood dishes!
Miguel Sanchez, Birdon American Inc.
“As someone who grew up working in and studying the ocean, I was instilled with a love for both the natural environment and for marine technology from an early age. Being selected for the EMERGE PROGRAM is a huge opportunity for me to learn how to focus my abilities and career towards my personal and professional goals.”
Miguel Sanchez is from New Orleans, Louisiana, but grew up near San Francisco, California, and spent many years as a scientific scuba diver and research assistant at San Francisco State University. These experiences helped solidify his love for both the ocean and for working in a STEM field. This path led Miguel to the undergraduate program at Webb Institute, in Glen Cove, New York, where he graduated with a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Over the course of his degree, Miguel was able to intern at several companies and gain a wide experience working in the marine industry; he worked as a shipyard pipefitter, onboard marine technician, ROV operator/engineer, and as a naval architect assisting with both repair and new vessel construction. After graduation, Miguel joined Birdon America where he works as a naval architect. He is also currently working towards obtaining a Professional Engineer’s license.
Munir Zarea, University of Hawaii at Manoa
“I’m incredibly grateful to be selected for the EMERGE program. The ocean engineering community can seem like a small world, so being welcomed into a network of people who share my same passion for marine technology means a lot at this stage of my career. I am especially excited for the one-on-one mentorship as I navigate the field and to contribute to a sustainable ocean.”
Munir Zarea is a mechanical engineer and recent M.S. graduate from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (May 2026), where he conducted research in the Soft Robotics and Intelligent Machines Laboratory (SAIL) under Dr. Tianlu Wang. His graduate work centered on the design, fabrication, and field deployment of soft and rigid-bodied underwater robots. The culmination of his thesis, a soft robotic manipulator with buoyancy-induced orientation control and stiffness-tuning, was recently accepted to IEEE IROS 2026.
Munir holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University, where he volunteered at the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory and was an active member of the Marine Renewable Energy Club. His professional background spans nuclear facility mechanical and CFD engineering at Merrick & Company and wave energy simulation research at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. He is currently seeking opportunities in marine and defense technology.
He is an active member of the MTS O’ahu Student Chapter. In his spare time, Munir surfs, restores vehicles, and once bicycled 4,250 miles across the country from Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia.
Narayan Kumar, University of Delaware
“Being selected for the EMERGE Program is an incredible honor that bridges my doctoral research in computational fluid dynamics with real-world marine technology innovation."
Narayan Kumar is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Delaware's Center for Applied Coastal Research (CACR). His research focused on high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to simulate near-shore wave breaking, swash zone dynamics, and sediment transport. Narayan brings a unique multi-disciplinary background that combines physical laboratory testing at the U.S. Army ERDC with five years of corporate engineering experience as a Senior Production Engineer. As the first-generation engineering graduate from his community, he is deeply committed to diversity and scientific leadership, currently serving as the Vice President of the NSF NHERI Graduate Student Council and Secretary of the COPRI University of Delaware Chapter.
Nathan Obermiller, San Diego Miramar Community College
“Participating in EMERGE is meaningful to me because I will be able to receive guidance as I navigate the marine technology industry when I move to the California Bay Area for college. I was originally afraid of being unable to find resources on my own, but this program will hopefully give me the support needed to succeed.”
Nathan Obermiller is an incoming transfer student at UC Berkeley, majoring in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences. He started his marine tech journey with the MATE Floats program in 2024, and he continued to gain more experience in the industry while attending San Diego Miramar College. These experiences were driven by his participation in the school’s Engineering Club. He has organized events encouraging students to become introduced to marine technology, such as facility tours, networking event visits, and exhibitions to show off the club’s projects to professionals. Nathan led as the club’s team CEO at the 2025 MATE ROV World Championship, where Miramar won 2nd Place Overall and Best Marketing Display for the Pioneer class. In summer 2025, he interned at DeepWater Exploration Inc., assembling underwater cameras and other marine modules. In spring 2026, he was part of Oregon State University’s first cohort for its Marine Prototyping Microcredential Workshop at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. He seeks out learning opportunities in marine technology today, hoping to apply skills learned at the UC San Diego ExSTENT semiconductor training program he is taking over the summer to the marine tech industry. As he starts his studies at UC Berkeley, Nathan plans to use the EMERGE program’s support to continue to advance his career in marine technology.
Noelani Boise, University of Connecticut
“Ready to ‘dive in’ and explore all things marine tech with this cohort!”
Noelani Boise is an environmental microbiologist and Earth Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, specializing in coastal systems, biofouling, and community‑driven energy and resilience planning. With experience across microbiology, molecular methods, habitat restoration, community coordination, and marine field operations, Noelani brings a multidisciplinary perspective to advancing marine and coastal research.
Since joining PNNL in 2019, Noelani has supported projects involving HAB toxin assay development, cultivation of marine organisms, in‑situ monitoring, various fieldwork aboard research vessels, and ecosystem restoration. She also leads and coordinates technical efforts spanning laboratory operations, environmental sampling, stakeholder engagement, and strategic energy planning for remote coastal communities through ETIPP.
Noelani holds dual BA/BS degrees from Montana State University and is completing a Master of Energy and Environmental Management at the University of Connecticut, focusing on GIS, remote sensing, and data‑driven planning. Her work emphasizes cross‑sector collaboration, project management, and the integration of geospatial and biological tools to support resilient marine and freshwater systems.
Passionate about STEM outreach and workforce development, Noelani volunteers as a regional STEM coordinator and actively mentors students and early‑career researchers. Her interests center on expanding coastal monitoring capabilities, strengthening community resilience, and developing innovative approaches for marine ecosystem challenges.
Olalekan Odunaike, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN)
"Being selected for the MTS EMERGE Program means a great deal to me. I came into ocean technology the practical way — through hydrographic survey work, long days on the water, and slowly learning just how much careful measurement sits behind every safe passage and every sound decision made at sea. That hands-on start shaped the way I think, and it gave me real respect for the people and systems that keep marine operations running.
What draws me to this opportunity is the chance to keep building in the areas I care about most: ocean mapping, autonomous survey systems, data processing, and chart production. These fields are moving quickly, and I want to do more than simply keep up with them — I want to help shape where they go, and to contribute to marine operations that are safer, smarter, and more sustainable. There is a lot happening in Canada's marine technology sector right now, and I feel fortunate to be growing my career here.
Most of all, I'm looking forward to learning from a mentor who has walked this path before me, and to becoming part of a community that shares this work. Being chosen for EMERGE feels like an invitation into that community — one I intend to honour by learning as much as I can, contributing where I'm able, and supporting others coming up behind me."
Olalekan Odunaike is a hydrographic surveyor and ocean-mapping specialist based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, and a commissioned Canada Lands Surveyor (CLS, n.l.). He is currently completing a Master of Applied Ocean Technology in Ocean Mapping at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he is also a graduate intern with the Centre for Applied Ocean Technology (CTec).
His academic foundation is unusually deep for the field, spanning two internationally accredited FIG/IHO/ICA Category A hydrographic programs — an M.Sc. in Hydrographic Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and an M.Sc. in Hydrography from HafenCity University Hamburg — together with an M.Sc. in Surveying and Geoinformatics from the University of Lagos.
Olalekan brings over six years of hydrographic surveying and data-processing experience. As a Hydrographic Surveyor and Data Processor with XOCEAN, he processes multibeam, side-scan, and sub-bottom data collected by uncrewed surface vessels for clients including the UK Hydrographic Office. His earlier field experience includes serving as a survey party chief on Canadian Hydrographic Service multibeam programs in Western Hudson Bay, with additional offshore survey work in Mexico and the Niger Delta.
He is equally at home on the technical and developmental side of the discipline, having built a custom Python and C++ S-57/S-101 electronic navigational chart (ENC) producer, and he recently placed second in the Speed Mapping Challenge. His interests are increasingly drawn toward Arctic hydrography and ocean mapping that supports safer, smarter, and more sustainable marine operations.
Riley Smith, Oregon State University
“I am thrilled to be a part of the EMERGE program! I am very much looking forward to building a relationship with a mentor in the industry. I hope to continue building my skills and knowledge of marine technology at the Underwater Intervention Conference.”
Riley Smith is an undergraduate student at Oregon State University studying both Oceanography and Electrical and Computer Engineering. She was awarded the Mark Wiegardt Memorial Grant to help address the impacts of ocean acidification on the shellfish industry and coastal communities. She has participated in the MATE ROV competition, and has led several projects in optical sensing and monitoring systems.
Sarah Hudak, Sea Risk Solutions LLC
“We have a responsibility to stay curious, challenge assumptions, and remain open to new technologies that can help us better understand and steward our oceans. The future of ocean industries will depend on our ability to balance innovation with the people and environments they affect.”
Sarah Hudak is a Marine Consultant based in Seattle, Washington. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Environmental Science and a minor in Marine Biology. Sarah's early career was spent at sea, where she accumulated more than 440 days aboard commercial fishing vessels operating throughout the North Pacific, Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and Pacific Islands regions. Today, she supports offshore wind energy and subsea telecommunications projects, helping balance the needs of the fishing industry, coastal communities, and the marine environment. She is most passionate about ensuring human and environmental considerations are thoughtfully integrated into the future of ocean industries.
Sebastian Deggan, Open Ocean Robotics
“I am extremely grateful to have been selected for the EMERGE program. After hearing from colleagues about the value of the program for professional growth, I am excited to experience it firsthand and make the most of this opportunity.”
Sebastian grew up in the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia, where he developed a deep connection to the ocean and life at sea. Much of his early life was spent sailing between islands and exploring coastal waters with his family, experiences that helped shape both his perspective and career path.
During his undergraduate degree in Marine Biology at the University of Victoria, Sebastian enrolled in the co-op program to gain hands-on industry experience before graduation. He completed an eight-month co-op with Open Ocean Robotics (OOR), a marine technology startup focused on maritime security and ocean data collection using solar-powered autonomous uncrewed surface vehicles (USV). After graduating with a BSc in Marine Biology from UVic, Sebastian returned to OOR, first as an intern and later in a full-time role as a USV Operations Technician. In this role, he has supported and led successful USV operations both domestically and internationally, developed training programs for OOR’s customers, and supported business development efforts with government agencies, academic institutions, and domestic and international ports.
Through this work, Sebastian has gained extensive experience in marine autonomous systems, customer and stakeholder relations, client training, and international field operations, helping advance the adoption of Canadian-made USV technology across government, academic, and commercial sectors.
Patricia (Tricia) Perez, Responsible Offshore Science Alliance
“I'm thrilled to join the MTS EMERGE program and build the marine technology literacy to meaningfully contribute to crucial conversations that aim to match the right tools to real fisheries science and management needs, both in offshore wind and in the broader work of understanding the marine environment.”
Tricia is the Research Program Manager at the Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA) where she manages ROSA’s regional research programs that support and coordinate efforts for research and monitoring on offshore wind, fish, and fisheries. Her work focuses on organizing complex research landscapes so scientists, industry, and managers can better coordinate efforts, share knowledge, and make informed decisions. Tricia joined ROSA from the U.S. Department of Energy Wind Energy Technologies Office where she supported the offshore wind environmental and community engagement portfolios, as both a NOAA Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellow and an ORISE Fellow. She holds a Master's in Fisheries Oceanography from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) and served as a Northeast Fisheries Observer for 3 years throughout New England.
