S5E9 - Interview with an Aquanaut: 2051 Sea Odyssey

What does it take to live, work, and do science on the ocean floor? 

In this episode of the BME Grad Podcast, host Devin Hubbard is joined by Dr. Dawn Kernagis (Scientific Director at Deep) and Dr. Virginia Papadopoulou (UNC Radiology & Biomedical Engineering) to explore the cutting edge of undersea research, human physiology, and biomedical innovation. 

From NASA-style underwater missions and saturation diving to ultrasound research on decompression and microbubbles, this conversation dives deep into how extreme environments are shaping the future of both human health and engineering design. 

The episode also highlights the 2051 Sea Odyssey initiative—a multidisciplinary effort combining research, storytelling, and a national student design competition aimed at solving real-world challenges in underwater environments. 

Learn about: 

• Nonlinear career paths from physics, diving, and biomedical research into frontier science 

• How extreme environments reveal new insights about human physiology 

• The growing role of biomedical engineers in space-analog and ocean exploration 

• Why communication, curiosity, and cross-disciplinary thinking are critical skills 

• Opportunities for students to get involved in cutting-edge underwater innovation 

Whether you’re interested in academia, industry, or exploration, this episode shows how BME skills can take you far beyond the lab—all the way to the ocean floor.