Hello! I would like to introduce myself. My name is Susan Cullum and I will be the teacher at sea for the next research cruise out into the Gulf of Mexico. The Deepwater Horizon blowout was such a significant environmental event and I am incredibly honored to be a part of the scientific crew which has been given the task of studying the impact of the oil to the ecosystem.
I have been teaching science at Wesley Chapel High School for 10 years which is located in Pasco County, Florida. I primarily teach Marine Science to upperclassmen but I have also taught Biology and Physical Science. Because I have a background in the field of marine science, I also teach a Dual Enrollment course in which students receive science credit from the high school as well as college credit from Pasco Hernando State College.
I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in marine science and from the University of Maine with a master’s degree in marine biology. I find myself lucky to be teaching students the subject that I am incredibly passionate about and which I have focused my world around.  My husband, Brian, and I have been happily married for 11 years and we have a 5 ½ year old daughter, Peyton. She is a bright and energetic little girl who is fascinated with all kinds of living creatures. In a small way, I hope that what I am participating in with this research cruise may have a positive impact on the world in which she will grow up.
I hope that you will follow along with me as I chronicle the scientific research aboard the R/V Weatherbird II during this upcoming cruise as well as behind-the scenes details of life at sea.