UGA faculty experts aboard Nat Geo vessel in Antarctica

On February 1, 2025, UGA faculty members Patricia Medeiros and Renato Castelao took part in a National Geographic-Lindblad Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula as part of their Visiting Scientist Program. Medeiros and Castelao, both professors in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences department of marine sciences, boarded the National Geographic Endurance in Ushuaia, Argentina, bound for the White Continent, along with several naturalists, staff members, and approximately 140 guests.

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions allow passengers to connect on a deeper level with the people, culture and wildlife of different locations around the globe. Throughout each voyage, guests are joined by a diverse team of experts - which can include scientists, naturalists, cultural experts and National Geographic experts - who are passionate about sharing their knowledge. 

The vessel’s planned route aligned directly with recent research investigations by Medeiros and Castelao as well as their study area, focusing on how glacial meltwater affects the chemistry, biology, and physics of the adjacent coastal ocean.

"We had a Zodiac boat dedicated to our collections, allowing us to sample water very close to the glaciers," said Medeiros, an expert in aquatic organic geochemistry. "We were fortunate to have had the valuable assistance of an NG glaciologist and skilled staff members, who were very helpful during sample collections." 

During the expedition, the pair gave talks about their research at UGA and their project onboard, demonstrated their sampling process to guests, and answered questions in the ship’s Science Hub.

"We were impressed by the guests' engagement," said Castelao, whose scholarship and teaching focus on coastal ocean dynamics and its impact on the marine ecosystem. "They were genuinely interested in learning more about the Antarctic environment and our research. We now have a list of over 30 guests who are eager for updates on our results." 

After a few days, one thing became clear to the two UGA marine scientists: there were other Bulldogs onboard. 

"We were especially struck by UGA’s strong presence on the vessel - several guests and staff members were UGA alumni, while others had studied with faculty now at UGA," Medeiros said. "It was inspiring to witness the enduring reach of the UGA campus experience during the expedition."

The pair rated the expedition as an unqualified success - both for their research and re-affirming their own ties to campus even in the polar regions.

"We collected valuable samples, shared UGA’s research, and met wonderful people," Castelao said. "We look forward to continuing to share the results of this expedition with those we met." 

Image: Patricia Medeiros and Renato Castelao aboard a Zodiac boat collecting samples.