Steve Ruberg
Principal Investigator, Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab
Steve is the principal investigator for marine observing system research and development at NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab. His current research projects include the development of real-time coastal observation network (ReCON) buoys, the development of integrated circuit based microsensors capable of measuring multiple chemical parameters, and mapping and exploration of submerged sinkhole ecosystems in Lake Huron.
On Your Career…
What is your educational background?
Undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky
Masters degree in Systems Engineering from Wright State University
How did you end up in the field you are in today?
After graduation I worked for the US Air Force and US Navy as a civilian engineer then transferred to NOAA working as a Marine Instrumentation engineer. This led to being appointed Observing Systems Researcher where I lead our buoy-based observing system project called ReCON (Real-time Coastal Observation Network) and mapping research activities using vessel-towed vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). ROV mapping of the physical and chemical properties of the Lake Huron sinkhole plumes has been a key in understanding how this systems function.
Who or what inspired you to pursue this career?
I was led into this career by curiosity about the physical, chemical and biological components of the world we live in. In some ways, exploring Lake Huron sinkholes is no different than exploring the creek where I grew up. If you turned over a rock you might find a snake, lizard. Or sometimes even an arrowhead. The rock itself contains fossils. From there asking questions about where these things cam from you leads to some answers but most of the time more searching.
How and where do you conduct your work?
I conduct my primarily in the Great Lakes but also in other coastal waters of the US.
What tools and/or technologies do you use in your work?
My primary tool is a laptop computer. That is what I use to control instruments that are deployed and even view sonar data from ROVs. We use instruments to measure temperature, conductivity (water chemistry), pH and oxygen. These instruments are mounted on an ROV to get them into the sinkhole located 93 Meters under the surface. We can tell where the ROV is located with an acoustic device ca[bale of detecting its position. Sonar and video help us find our way around the sinkhole. We will use a manipulator arm (or claw) on the ROV to pick up wood in the sinkhole. We will test the wood to determine its age.
What research projects are you currently involved in?
I am involve in projects that use buoys to sense the environment to provide warnings of rip currents, harmful algal blooms, and low oxygen that effects drinking water. We will also deploy the system at Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) to investigate the ecology of reef fishes using fisheries acoustics and video.
What have you learned so far from your research?
We have learned that the groundwater flowing into Lake Huron through the sinkholes flows through rock layers that are about 400 million years old. The ancient seabed deposited sulfate and chloride. These chemicals combined with a low oxygen environment create a unique habitat for microbial mats.
What do you like the best about your job?
Using technology to investigate the Great Lakes and coastal areas.
What do you like the least about your job?
The large amount paperwork required to convince sponsors that our research is worthwhile to invest in.
What are the most common misconceptions that people have about what you do?
That it is always fun to be out on a research vessel. Many times cold weather and large waves make life on the boat very miserable and difficult.
Where have you traveled for your work?
All over the United States and Canada
Where’s your favorite place that you’ve been to so far?
The Olympic National Park Seashore
What is the most incredible thing that has happened to you while conducting your work?
Storms, sunsets, discoveries.
What are some of the different career opportunities that are associated with the work that you do?
Developing new sensors to detect environmental contaminants, developing new robots for exploration.
What advice would you give to kids who are interested in studying science?
Find the thing in life that you love to do, determine what kind of education it takes to get there, and no matter what adults say about how good your grades have to be in math, science, history, English, etc pursue your dream. Do your best in these subjects but doors will open if you keep trying. Don’t give up because you are struggling with a subject, a teacher, or even friend.
On Exploring the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary…
Why do research in the ocean in general and in the Thunder Bay region specifically?
Research in the Ocean can provide answers to questions that affect the world and so much of it is yet to be explored. Working in the Thunder Bay sinkholes can help us understand better the amount of groundwater flowing into Lake Huron which could help us improve Great Lakes water level forecasts. These investigations help us understand the extremophile microes in these systems – they function without oxygen using sulfate to “breath”. This kind of unique creature might help us grasp the potential for life on other on other planets. The microbes are also being evaluated for potential use as pharmaceuticals. There may be organisms in the Great Lakes or in the oceans that might lead to better germ killing antibiotics or maybe even a cure for some forms of cancer.
What about doing work in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is most exciting to you?
The TBNMS sinkholes represent an unknown, un-explored system. No one has been to the deeper sinkholes and investigating how these systems interact with Lake Huron is fascinating. I think this idea that the sinkhole groundwater cascades over the edge of the Middle Island sinkhole, creating an underwater waterfall, is just an unusual concept (not very interesting visually unfortunately). Also we ‘ve been involved in some of the TBNMS shipwreck work and that is very interesting too.
What one thing would you most like kids to learn from studying the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary?
That the life forms we see breathing the same oxygen that we do are not the only ones that exist. That things that happened 400 million years ago can effect our world and life on this planet today.
On Being a Kid…
What kinds of books did you like to read when you were a kid? Why?
Call of the Wild by Jack London because the book is about survival and adventure in the wilderness.
What was your favorite subject when you were in middle school?
Math and art
What did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
I can remember a variety of thoughts. I was a big fan of National Geographic specials and Jacques Cousteau. And as many kids thought during the 70s, I thought being an astronaut would be pretty cool.
What advice do you wish that someone had given you when you were a kid?
Well I have no regrets on things have turned out in my life and I think that is because I pursued an area of work that I truly love – working on the water on environmental issues. But the process could have been made easier if there had been someone involved who could demonstrate the value of making observations about the physical, chemical, and biological components of the world ( a world that I am fascinated by) and apply reading, (research), writing, and mathematics to my understanding at an early age.
On the Rest of Life…
Who are some of the people you look up to or admire?
I admire people who are concerned about clean drinking water, food, shelter, and education that leads to a life that is full. Most of the world and many in our own country don’t have access to these things that should be basic to human life.
When you are not working, what do you like to do for fun?
I like to go hiking with Mary Ann, my wife; backpacking with my grown children and friends and fly fishing. And just spending time talking with friends is fun.
Do you have any final thoughts or words of advice that you would like to share?
Find the thing in life that you love to do, determine what kind of education it takes to get there, and no matter what adults say about how good your grades have to be in math, science, history, English, etc pursue your dream. Do your best in these subjects but doors will open if you keep trying. Don’t give up because you are struggling with a subject, a teacher, or even friend.