Way back in 2015 (not actually that long ago, but feels like a lifetime ago after this incredible, crazy year) I was a research intern at Divers Alert Network under the guidance of Dr. Peter Buzzacott and Dr. Petar Denoble. The three of us worked closely for nearly a year researching cave diving fatalities. Upon finding out that I was the next OWUSS North American Rolex Scholar, Peter and Petar immediately put me in contact with their colleague in China, Dr. Lu Shi. Dr. Shi is an associate professor at the Chinese Underwater Technology Institute, part of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). Dr. Shi’s research focuses primarily on diver physiology inside manned submersibles and at altitude, so you can imagine my excitement to learn from him!
After squeezing in some laundry and family time at home post-Malta, I boarded my first of several flights to reach Shanghai, prepared for the 24 hours of travel it would take to get there. Jet-lagged and in awe of the massive city, I was lucky to be met at the airport by Dr. Shi’s kind assistant. She escorted me to my small apartment, where I would be living for the next few weeks.
Every day in Shanghai was a new adventure. Dr. Shi is possibly one of the busiest researchers I have ever met and each day in his lab there was something new going on. He showed me how he conducts hyperbaric therapy experiments on rats and mice, as well as the manned submersible simulator program that was created in house to study blood flow to divers’ brains while performing various tasks.
Dr. Shi also took me on an experiment he had planned in the nearby city of Wuxi, which involved studying divers inside a new Chinese Navy submersible. Towards the end of my stay he took me around the campus of SJTU, the number two ranked university in China and an extremely difficult school to get into. I was able to witness research taking place at the university’s brand new 300 meter long towing tank, which was developed to study ship models.
I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to witness such interesting science taking place in Shanghai. Thank you so much to Dr. Shi and his assistants for hosting me, as well as Peter and Petar of DAN for making this connection. Much thanks also to Rolex and OWUSS for the adventure of a lifetime!
P.S. During my stay in Shanghai I put the final touches on this video highlighting the first half of my scholarship year (April 2017-September 2017). Check it out for a closer look at what I’ve been up to!
