Robert Ballard

Dr. Robert D. Ballard has been a pioneer in the development of advanced deep submergence and “telepresence” technology. Although his PhD is in Marine Geology and Geophysics, his scientific interests run the gamut from the volcanic, tectonic, and hydrothermal processes of the mid-ocean ridge to deep-sea archaeology and maritime history. Dr. Ballard also spends a great deal of his time involved in various educational outreach programs; including the JASON Project, Immersion Learning, NAUTILUS Live, and TV programs for the National Geographic Society, where he is one of their “Explorer-in-Residence”. In 2008, Dr. Ballard secured the E/V NAUTILUS, which has become his flag-ship for exploration funded in part by NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration. The NAUTILUS is connected by way of a high bandwidth satellite link to the Inner Space Center and from there to the world.