Martin Girardi, an alumnus of the University of the West of England, Bristol, has been selected as a 2026 Video Systems Engineering Intern in the Science & Engineering Internship Program and will sail aboard Ocean Exploration Trust (OET)’s Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus during its 2026 expedition season.
Originally from Bend, Oregon, Martin was selected as one of nineteen interns from hundreds of applicants and will join the team aboard E/V Nautilus in September and October to explore the ocean around the Hawaiian Islands.
This 20-day expedition will start and end in Honolulu and utilize the ROV, mapping, and telepresence systems of E/V Nautilus to survey previously unsurveyed deep seafloor around the Hawaiian Islands, with a focus on unexplored ridges and seamounts in the eastern portion of the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary, and abyssal plain habitats southwest of the Main Hawaiian Islands.
“Assisting OET aboard E/V Nautilus in gathering and disseminating visuals of such thinly documented life in habitats as otherworldly as the abyssal benthos, whether directly to online viewers or through academic publication, is a thrilling and unique opportunity,” Girardi said.
Ocean Exploration Trust, a nonprofit founded by Dr. Robert Ballard, operates with a mission to explore the unknown parts of the ocean, seeking out new discoveries while pushing the boundaries of technological innovation, STEAM education, and outreach. Expeditions center on scientific exploration of the seafloor, collaboration with the broader scientific community, and engagement of audiences of all ages via telepresence technology. The team has traveled around the world, helping understand the deep ocean and sharing discoveries live with the world through NautilusLive.org.
As a Video Systems Engineering Intern, Martin will learn to operate camera controls for the ship and subsea video systems, and work with lead engineers in the operation and maintenance of all video systems aboard Nautilus.
OET’s internships train students in the at-sea environment and provide real-world experience to further develop academic interests and professional career paths via participation in the Nautilus Exploration Program. These interns come from community colleges, undergraduate, service academies, and graduate programs in ocean and atmospheric sciences, seafloor mapping, systems engineering, film, and electrical, mechanical, aerospace, and robotics engineering.
People worldwide can engage with Martin and the explorers onboard via NautilusLive.org, a 24-hour live-streaming web portal that brings expeditions from the field to explorers on shore through telepresence technology and social media. Local schools and community groups are encouraged to schedule free, live one-on-one Q&A sessions with explorers on the ship available daily.
