ODISEA welcomes Dr. Sam Purkis as Chief Scientist

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Sam Purkis, a renowned marine scientist with over 20 years of experience, is joining ODISEA as our Chief Scientist.

Dr. Purkis is currently the Chair of the Department of Marine Geosciences at the University of Miami, where he has established an illustrious career blending groundbreaking research, impactful conservation initiatives, and a passion for education. With a Ph.D. specializing in coral reefs and the application of geospatial tools in marine science, his work has significantly advanced our understanding of coral reef resilience and conservation.

At ODISEA, Dr. Purkis will lead formulating our core research goals while empowering local researchers. Sam will drive our ambitious collaborative moonshot project to revolutionize remote sensing technology for marine biodiversity monitoring at scale, using an array of in-situ monitoring techniques such as photogrammetry and fish ID stations. Our ultimate vision? To predict genetic diversity and map functional genes from space—a challenge that pushes the boundaries of science and technology.

We are deeply grateful to have Dr. Purkis join us at the start of this exciting journey. With his unparalleled expertise and leadership, we’re confident he will steer our scientific endeavors to new heights and help maximize the impact of our expeditions.

Welcome aboard, Sam!