Kelley Santos is the Director of The Centre for Applied Ocean Technology, located at The Launch, the Fisheries and Marine Institute’s and Memorial University’s state of the art living lab and ocean innovation centre, based in Holyrood, NL. Her leadership provides invaluable support to industry, researchers, students, and stakeholders in a unique operational field environment where she collaborates with highly skilled engineering and technical teams, facilitating access to research focused on ocean mapping, habitat delineation, forecasting, modelling, management, and operational decisions, providing ideal conditions for industry, academia, and other stakeholders to come together and collaboratively implement leading initiatives.

For 15 years, Kelley’s work with Memorial University of Newfoundland has focused on the development and management of multidisciplinary research initiatives that connect the talents and abilities of academic and student researchers with the innovation and ingenuity of the public and private sector. Her work with the Marine Institute supports initiatives that leverage the talents and capabilities of Canada’s oceans communities and the adoption of technology in the ocean sector.

Kelley’s passion for supporting greater diversity and inclusion across STEM fields and ocean sectors is reflected in her roles as a core team member with the Canadian Women in Ocean Industries Leadership (CWOIL) initiative, Chair of the Board of Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador and her contributions to Memorial’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Strategic Plan.  She holds a Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University and a Masters of Marine Studies from Memorial University.

Michaela Barnes is a professional hydrographer with years of experience in the ocean mapping industry. Working offshore on survey vessels, she collected bathymetric data to map the seafloor for various applications such as marine construction, cable laying, and scientific research. Michaela is an experienced data processor, familiar with many forms of hydrographic datasets and the software used to process them. She also worked in the remote sensing industry, managing Satellite Derived Bathymetry projects.

Michaela holds a Diploma of Technology and Bachelor of Technology in Ocean Mapping from the Marine Institute. Outside of work, she is a passionate volunteer for robotics-based education programs, including MATE ROV and FIRST LEGO League. Her professional interests include GIS applications, hydrographic datasets, robotics, and youth education initiatives.

Scott is an ocean data specialist with the Centre for Applied Ocean Technology (CTec) and is currently assigned to the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observation System (CIOOS) project.  Before joining CTec, Scott worked as a programmer/analyst with the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) department of the Marine Institute, where he held several roles including development support, application management, information security and server administration.

Prior to working with the Marine Institute, Scott was programmer/analyst with the Canadian Centre for Marine Communications (CCMC). In that capacity he was responsible for creating and maintaining the SmartBay and Journal of Ocean Technology websites as well as other projects.

Scott is a graduate of the College of the North Atlantic with a diploma in Programmer/Analyst co-op program.

Eric Davis, PTec, Senior Technologist with CTec, is a graduate of the Electrical Engineering Technology diploma program from the Institute of Fisheries and Marine Technology.

Prior to joining CTec, Eric worked with the Canadian Centre for Marine Communications for 14 years, initially as an engineering technologist and then as network administrator. In 2006 Eric was named technical lead for the SmartBay project. In this capacity he is responsible for maintenance of offshore systems, sensor installations, wireless communication services and data/network services.

Eric also provides technical support for the Holyrood Marine Base. With over 30+ years experience in the marine technology industry, Eric provides advice and guidance to colleagues and external clients.

Eric is a member of the Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc. (AETTNL) and currently sits as Co-Chair on the Marine Institute -Holyrood Marine Base Occupational Health and Safety Committee.

Marilyn Douglas is the Administrative Officer for the Launch and the Centre for Ocean Technology, where she oversees program events, document controls, and project organization.

With over 30 years of experience in the education, engineering, and public service sectors.  Marilyn has extensive knowledge in preparing and maintaining budgets, project controls, accounts payable, purchasing, grant preparation, health & safety matters, scheduling, and timekeeping.  She prides herself in her attention to detail and her organizational skills.

She holds an associate in science degree in Business Management and a certificate of achievement in Business Administration from San Diego Mesa College.

In my spare time, I like to assemble jigsaw puzzles, paint, and kayak at the cabin.

Comfort Eboigbe is an Ocean Data Specialist with the CTEC team, working on the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observation System (CIOOS) project. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master's degree in Environmental and systems engineering. Before transitioning to ocean data, Comfort worked as an Environmental Engineer, focusing on air quality, environmental assessments, and climate change assessment projects.

Through her work at CIOOS, she now specializes in processing, integrating, and making ocean data open and accessible. With a strong interest in artificial intelligence, she explores innovative ways to apply AI in processing and visualizing ocean data, particularly underwater video data.

Beyond her work, Comfort enjoys reading both fiction and non-fiction and writing about compelling characters and stories.

Stephen King joined the C-Tec team as a project engineer in 2025. He holds a bachelor of engineering (mechanical) from Memorial University of Newfoundland and is a registered professional engineer with PEGNL. He has a comprehensive technical background in industrial product development.

Stephen has over 30 years of experience in R&D and equipment design and has worked on projects in a variety of industry sectors. His primary areas of interest include process automation, industrial design for challenging environments, vision and x-ray inspection technologies, and 3D parametric modelling of mechanical systems.

His applied research and design work at the Marine Institute has contributed to two patents including work on applying ultra high-pressure processing (HPP) and vision guided robotics to crab processing.

Stephen is an avid Sci-Fi enthusiast with a keen interest in anything strange, futuristic, or a little bit mind bending.

Christopher Morrissey is an experienced ROV Pilot & Technician with a background in underwater vehicle technology. Over the years, he has worked on a variety of research expeditions, from Arctic exploration to sampling hydrothermal vents in the Indian ocean. His expertise lies in designing, maintaining, and operating ROV systems that help scientists and researchers achieve their goals in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
Christopher’s work focuses on four key areas:

• Customized ROV Solutions – Developing and integrating specialized tools to meet unique scientific and industrial needs.
• Mission Planning & Execution – Translating research objectives into actionable plans, ensuring smooth operations in remote and extreme conditions.
• ROV Maintenance & Optimization – Enhancing system reliability and performance through proactive maintenance and technical upgrades.
• Continued Pilot Development – Strengthening pilot skills through hands-on experience in research expeditions, ensuring adaptability and precision in complex underwater operations.

Outside of work, Christopher is an avid adventurer who enjoys downhill biking, rock climbing, and hiking with his dogs—always seeking new challenges on land and at sea.

Bethany Randell is a project engineer with the Centre for Applied Ocean Technology at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University. She proudly serves as assistant editor for the Journal of Ocean Technology. Bethany has been engaged in the ocean technology sector since she was 14 through various robotics competitions, including FIRST LEGO League and the MATE ROV competition. She was a member of Eastern Edge Robotics while completing her Bachelor of Engineering at Memorial University and competed internationally with the team 5 times.

Upon graduating, Bethany turned her hobby into a career when she was hired by Kraken Robotics as an electrical engineer. She worked on many of Kraken’s products, including the KATFISH, and was named lead electrical engineer of their AUV program. Under the guidance of several of Kraken's talented engineers, Bethany achieved her Professional Engineer status in 2021.

After 8 years at Kraken, Bethany moved to the Marine Institute. She has since flown an ROV in Norway from her office in Holyrood, Newfoundland, is working on establishing Canada’s first Marine Autonomous Test Zone, is the technical lead for MI’s Remote Operation Centre. Her areas of interest include marine robotics, autonomous and remotely operated vehicles, printed circuit board design, and the intersection of marine biology and engineering.

As a spatial data analyst with more than 30 years experience, Kirk has worked primarily in the natural resources sector.  Prior to working at the Marine Institute, Kirk has been the owner of a spatial data consulting business where he worked on a variety of projects applied to fisheries management, oil and gas, and mineral exploration for both public and private industry clients.  He also worked briefly in academia at a post-secondary level and privately through a partnership with international GIS companies providing sales, training and support.  Some career highlights include being an expert witness during to prosecutions of fisheries violations, a planning advisor to ECRC’s oil spill response team, a board member on industry associations representing technology, geomatics and recently maritime archaeology, and initial involvement in the first trans-Atlantic mapping survey under the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance.

His career as a spatial analyst began during his education at Memorial University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Geography.  While attending MUN he worked on early GIS projects with University, the initial GIS with the City of St. John’s and has been working in the geomatics sector ever since.

While at CTec, Kirk has played a project development role with ocean mapping and related technologies.  Seabed mapping projects play a large part of fisheries habitat and geoscience research both locally and in the Arctic.  Through Kirk’s efforts, CTec has collaborated to enable others to gain access to seabed research through acquiring ocean technologies and a consulting role with indigenous organizations in Canada’s North such as Government of Nunavut, Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, and engagement with several communities expanding on their local knowledge to collect more citizen science.

Dawn Roche is the managing editor of the Journal of Ocean Technology (JOT), published by the Centre for Applied Ocean Technology. She has been working in the publishing industry since 2001 bringing fiction and non-fiction books, events and entertainment guides, alumni magazines, and journals to fruition. Prior to joining CTec, she worked in the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) film industry as well as economic and infrastructure development in rural NL.

Dawn likes innovation – particularly “outside-of-the-box” thinking to solve problems – and discovering new ways to use existing technologies. Her interests include linking people together, sharing information, and making connections. She welcomes new ideas and working in collaboration with others to achieve success.

Meghan Tucker is the Manager of Operations for Marine Institute’s Launch work site. She is a key member of our team as she manages a range of industrial activity, internal staff and student access, and safely plans marine projects. She has a keen interest in spatial planning and is a highly motivated results-driven professional. Meghan’s background includes instrumentation, subsea survey, and marine project management.

Sarah Walsh is a geomatic specialist with the Centre for Applied Ocean Technology (CTec) and is currently working as lead hydrographer for the Marine Conservation Areas project led by the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research (CFER). Additionally, she’s available as hydrographer for other projects carried out by the Marine Institute and is leading the work of Marine Institute’s partnership with the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project. Prior to joining CTec in 2022, Sarah worked as a multidisciplinary hydrographer with the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) in St. John’s for five years, as well as a hydrographer for IT International Telecom Inc. and the Ocean Exploration Trust.

Sarah is a graduate of the Ocean Mapping diploma program at the Marine Institute, which has received international recognition under the IHO/FIG/ICA International Board of Standards and Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors as a Category B Hydrographic Surveyor program. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology), a Bachelor of Technology, and a Technology Management (Engineering Technology and Applied Science) Master’s degree. Currently, she is working towards a Bachelor of Education in Post-Secondary, with the goal of teaching in the future.

Sarah enjoys teaching the public about the importance of keeping our oceans healthy and has worked with several organizations across the province as a marine interpreter while she was completing her studies in Ocean Mapping. She continues this work by volunteering for ocean education events through the Marine Institute, as well as other volunteer programs within the province and in northern communities in Canada. Sarah believes that education is key to keeping our oceans healthy for our future and wants to continue this work, either through volunteering or through post-secondary education.