11 September 2017 R/V Sikuliaq Polar Profile: Dr. Mike Lowe!

My Polar Profile of the day will focus on Dr. Mike Lowe. Mike is a research scientist and works for the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. After seeing his first Great White shark off the coast of California when he was just 5, he imagined that he would become a Shark Biologist. That same year for Christmas he asked for The Book of Sharks by Richard Ellis...and A Master’s of the Universe play set!

Mike went on to pretty much live his childhood dream. He earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University at Galveston, his Masters degree at Auburn University and his Ph.D. in Coastal Sciences from the University of Southern Mississippi. He lives and works in Baton Rouge Louisiana. His primary responsibility for this research cruise is to use remote sensing technologies (specifically fisheries acoustics) and nets to quantify the abundance of fish and zooplankton in the Beaufort SeaThe Beaufort Sea lies to the north of Alaska and the Yukon and Northwest Territories. shelf area.

Professionally Mike is most excited to work with this team of highly successful senior scientists. He sees it as a great opportunity for professional growth, as well as an amazing opportunity to learn more about fish populations in this area utilizing both remote and hands on technologies.

The most essential item that he’s bringing on the ship, related to his research is, “as boring as it sounds, my laptop. Not only do I consider it essential to my research but I will need it to keep up with my tasks back home!”

Mike is personally most excited to see the Arctic for the very first time! Since he was a young child he’s always been drawn to the sea. Literary works that featured the Arctic, including Call of the Wild and White Fang by Jack London, and Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat, have always captivated him. “I know it sounds cheesy, but I still wonder what happened to Frankenstein’s monster after he floated away on that iceberg!” The most essential item that he’s brought on the R/V Sikuliaq for his personal use is his digital music collection. “If you ask me a question and I do not answer you, I am not ignoring you. I’m probably just listening to Pearl Jam!”

Getting To Know You!

When asked what he’ll miss most at sea he said he’d most miss his wife and their two dogs.

His favorite healthy and unhealthy food when he’s at home? He replied, “Pizza and pizza…. emotionally health counts too, right?”

His favorite activities at home when he’s not working at sea are playing X-box with his nephews, brewing beer and reading. His favorite movie is Star Wars and there is a tie for favorite book between, The Sea Wolf by Jack London and Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut.

Can you eat more bacon than Dr. Steve Okkonen?

Only if everyone signs a contract promising not to tell my wife.

Favorite quote?

“I bet a funny thing about driving a car off a cliff is, while you’re in midair, you still hit those brakes.” ~ Jack Handey

Fun Fact?

“On my sixth birthday, a tiger at the Indianapolis Zoo peed on me. Thirty-six years later, my mother still struggles to tell that story without tears of laughter. (I hope that is not too much information!).”