What is your background and what are you working on at the moment?
I did my undergrad at UC Davis in Marine and Coastal Science, which was amazing. It was a very free degree which allowed me to explore a ton of exciting topics and I was introduced to many parts of oceanography. Although it is a long-term goal of mine to go to graduate school for an oceanography degree, right after I graduated I wanted to get some work experience. This was at the end of 2019, so just before Covid, and the job market was already tough before the pandemic hit. I had a little bit of experience in engineering, so I took a job at an engineering startup “just for a few months,” and two years later, I was managing the engineering lab. It was a great experience, but it wasn’t what I’m passionate about. I left that job but struggled to find anything in oceanography (a classic Catch-22 moment where you need experience to get experience), which is why I took a job as a nanny for a bit because I love kids.

Last spring, Gabriela [Chavez, MOD Operations Manager] who I knew from before, reached out and told me that the MOD lab was looking for volunteers to go on a TFO (Task Force Ocean) cruise. I of course jumped at the opportunity, and I absolutely loved it. Everything from the amazing team, to the work, to getting to learn so many new things about the ocean every day. I told Matthew [Alford] that if there were ever an opening in the group I’d love to continue working with MOD. In September 2023 I started working part-time, and that became full-time a few months ago.

My current role is “development technician” and I guess I’m a bit of a floater, I help out with whatever project needs the most hands at the moment. I love it because it allows me to explore and learn more about what everyone in the lab is doing. My main task has been fabricating the microstructure probes that go on the epsilometer, not just making the probes but also streamlining the process and writing technical documentation, which has been a super fun hands-on project. I am also assembling our epsilometers and preparing mooring instruments.

What keeps you excited and interested in working in the field of oceanography?
You know that feeling that people describe when they look up at the stars at night and feel full of wonder and so small? That’s how I feel when I look at the ocean. I’ve always felt that way actually. I grew up in San Diego and loved the beach, but for some reason I didn’t figure out that you could study and have a career in that until I was in college. When I eventually took some oceanography classes during my undergrad, I instantly fell in love with it. I just really love learning about oceanography, and there is an infinite number of things to explore and learn about our oceans!

When you were a kid, did you expect to be a scientist or engineer?
Yes and no. My whole family are engineers, my sisters and parents, so I always thought that I would end up in STEM. But when I started taking engineering classes in college, I found them to be “meh” at best. I could do it, but I wasn’t really that interested. Growing up the only real career in marine science that I heard about was marine biology (some of my friends still think that’s what I do now), and I had no idea you could work with studying the physics of the ocean, but I really feel that it’s a good fit for me.

Were there any particular things from your childhood that drew you to study the ocean?
Ironically enough, I’ve always been really into the animals and ecology of the ocean, marine biology if you will. I’d say that I’ve been drawn to the ocean from an early age, even though my specific interests have shifted over the years. Growing up in San Diego the beach was always nearby, and it just feels like home.

What skills or abilities do you think are useful when going into oceanography or working in MOD?
Communication skills and creative problem-solving are two important skills to have, especially with a lab as big as ours. There are so many people involved, bringing different things to the table, and having all of those ideas come together in a productive way requires a lot of well-prepared communication. I’ve been surprised by how much creativity has been an aspect of the engineering and instrument development that we do in MOD. A lot of it is tinkering with things, developing our own stuff. I didn’t think I’d get to use that part of my brain much in engineering, but it’s actually very relevant and fun!

Becca (right) with parts of the TFO 2023 team

What does a typical workday look like for you?
Well, it varies! Recently I’ve been taking an introduction to circuitry course so I can help out with the electrical engineering work, and I’ve been putting some time into that every morning. Then I typically make myself a list of the most important things to get done that day. At the moment I’m doing a lot of work writing documentation for some of our instruments we make in the lab. I also typically spend at least a few hours making probes every day. And then there’s always something going on in the lab that could use an extra pair of hands, so I try to jump in and help out where I can.

What drew you to Scripps?
I think I first realized this was a place I could see myself working in when I was in college, and ever since then it’s been a dream of mine to get to be part of this community. I’m very proud of myself for making that dream a reality. I love that it’s right on the beach, the people are amazing and there’s just so much cool research going on!

Is there a particular scientist/person/engineer/something that inspires you?
The first person that comes to mind is David Attenborough. I’ve watched so many nature and ocean documentaries narrated by him. He has had a remarkable life and has made a beautiful impact on how I perceive the natural world around me. Sylvia Earle is another person who inspires me. Her book “Sea Change” is phenomenal. And of course Jacques Cousteau, he has been so influential in the field of oceanography in general.

Becca (second right, top row) and her kickball team

Do you have a fun fact that you'd like to share that not everyone knows about you?
I’m in an adult recreational kickball league. Many people, even those growing up in the US, have never heard about kickball. It’s typically something you play in elementary school and then never play again, but for me, it’s been this light in my life. I look forward to the games every week, I’ve met some of my best friends through the league, and it’s one of the favorite things I do, besides working in oceanography of course.

Written by Kerstin Bergentz