Earth Sciences Doctoral Candidate Becomes Mentor At Sea

Jeanette deCuba shares her experience as a near-peer mentor on a STEMSEAS expedition aboard the RV Atlantis.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jeanette deCuba, a doctoral candidate in Earth Sciences at Binghamton University, recently participated in the STEMSEAS program as a near-peer mentor. STEMSEAS provides undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to experience onboard research aboard oceanographic research vessels. During a transit cruise from Panama City to Tampa, Florida, deCuba shared her own educational and research experiences with the students and learned about the instrumentation and science conducted on the RV Atlantis.

Why it matters

STEMSEAS aims to introduce underrepresented students to ocean sciences and potential STEM career paths through hands-on experiences. As a near-peer mentor, deCuba was able to provide valuable insights to the students about navigating an academic and research journey in the Earth Sciences.

The details

On the 8-day expedition, deCuba worked alongside two faculty mentors to engage the diverse group of undergraduate participants, many of whom were unsure about pursuing STEM fields. She shared details about her own educational trajectory and doctoral research, while also learning about the capabilities of the RV Atlantis, including its remotely operated vehicle used for deep-sea exploration. deCuba noted that the experience was likely transformative for the students, potentially solidifying career choices or opening new avenues of scientific inquiry.

  • The expedition sailed from Panama City to Tampa, Florida from February 2-9, 2026.
  • deCuba learned about the upcoming STEMSEAS cruise at a conference in October 2025.

The players

Jeanette deCuba

A doctoral candidate in Earth Sciences at Binghamton University who participated in the STEMSEAS program as a near-peer mentor.

Adriane Lam

An Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences at Binghamton University who has collaborated with the STEMSEAS program directors on prior education and outreach initiatives.

RV Atlantis

An oceanographic research ship owned by the U.S. Navy and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS)

A fleet of research vessels associated with universities across the country that STEMSEAS utilizes for its expeditions.

STEMSEAS

A National Science Foundation-funded program that provides undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to experience onboard research.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Having graduate students sail on seagoing expeditions, aboard some of the finest research vessels in the world, is a game changer for them. It opens new doors and introduces them to a broad array of research and researchers.”

— Adriane Lam, Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences, Binghamton University (Mirage News)

“One of the main things I took away was how important an experience this is for the undergrads. It may have been an integral point in their journey that solidified a career choice or led them to a certain pursuit they wanted to continue. This is probably an experience they're never going to forget.”

— Jeanette deCuba, Earth Sciences Doctoral Candidate, Binghamton University (Mirage News)

What’s next

deCuba plans to continue mentoring undergraduate students and sharing her experiences from the STEMSEAS expedition to inspire the next generation of Earth scientists.

The takeaway

The STEMSEAS program provides a transformative opportunity for underrepresented undergraduate students to explore ocean sciences and potential STEM careers through hands-on research experiences aboard state-of-the-art oceanographic vessels, with the guidance of near-peer mentors like Jeanette deCuba.