The new president of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences said interning with the organisation sparked a decades-long career in marine research.

Craig Carlson joined the institute, where he also serves as chief executive, as an intern in the 1980s, unsure of where to go next in his educational journey.

He reflected: “Coming to Bios was transformational for me, because it opened my eyes to what marine science and oceanography was and helped me find a passion for the topic.

“Because so many types of researchers, experts and scientists come to Bermuda, I was able to interact with people I never would have been able to interact with before and that helped guide my steps going forward.”

Dr Carlson conducted research at Bios while earning a PhD in marine science from the University of Maryland, completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the institute and served as faculty from 1996 to 2001.

He was a professor at the University of California Santa Barbara’s department of ecology, evolution and marine biology, and succeeded former Bios president and chief executive William Curry this year.

Dr Carlson said Bios has approximately the same number of faculty as in the 1990s, but its financial model has changed since merging with Arizona State University in 2021.

He explained: “We’re still in the transition phase of working with ASU.

“I think that merger has been positive from a financial stability point. Also, it provides a lot of opportunity and potential for taking Bios to the next level with investment in the physical plant and expertise in people that can serve the research programmes here.

“We’re looking forward to how this is all going to unfold, but I’m pleased to be part of it and am looking to interacting with our faculty and staff here to move that bar forward.”

Dr Carlson believes Bermuda’s proximity to deep-water sites such as Hydrostation S and the Bermuda Atlantic Time Series — the latter has a depth of about 4,800 metres — attracts researchers from around the world.

Alice Ren, postdoctoral scholar at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, will run the new glider programme at Bios starting in January.

Dr Carlson said gliders, which monitor areas for long periods of time without researchers having to board a ship, will provide better data on how the ocean is working.

Asked how Bermuda can combat climate change, he said: “Having the reinsurance community here is beneficial for folks that are minded on risk and understanding the ocean, climate and how big earth systems work helps them, so there's a lot of attention towards climate from the local community.”

Dr Curry told The Royal Gazettein April that proposed US federal budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could put research in jeopardy.

Dr Carlson said Bios is pursuing funds from other US agencies and “on the private foundation front” to continue research out at sea.

He encouraged aspiring scientists to pursue hands-on internships and experiences, saying: “I always tell new people to get going. It’s not a passive process, but a proactive process.

“You have to find people to engage with and talk, but a lot of people are very willing to open their doors for folks that are truly interested. The barrier to getting engaged is not that high.”

• Visitbios.asu.edu for more information about Bios