Our Story
In 2005, Prof. Nasreen Haque (Barnard College, Columbia University) and Prof. Nilofar Haque (NYCCT, CUNY) established a program "What Lies Beneath" to educate and raise awareness about the underwater world. This program provided a real-life experience for students enabling their active participation. The enthusiastic support from many individuals and groups was fundamental to its success — the NYPD scuba diving team, Life Support Technologies (hyperbaric medicine), Urban Divers, NYSMEA, Columbia University and the City University of New York. Due to its huge success, annual programs were organized.
As research in the professors' lab corresponded with the work of oceanographer Sylvia Earle, they were invited by the World Science Festival Pioneers — students following her work. The students had the opportunity to spend time in the lab and were introduced to hands-on experience in both scuba diving and biological methodology.
In 2009, "What Lies Beneath" became "Science of Underwater Exploration" and was offered to a larger audience (an estimated 175,000 people) at the annual World Science Festival. A non-profit organization, Genomic Observatory (GO), was established to convey awareness about the importance of environment on human health using DNA technology. In 2012, WSF organized an exposition/symposium accompanied by the Science of Underwater Exploration, where students across the city presented their findings and celebrated the underwater world.
Genomic Observatory, CSO presents "The Evolutionary Map to Joy: A Human Explorer's Journey" at the United Nations University of Peace, Costa Rica · 1:30–2:15 PM
Genomic Observatory at the 14th Geneva Forum, United Nations, Geneva
Recovery and Turtle Farming in the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
NY Aquarium Dive Team at the "Diving For Cures" Workshop, organized by Genomic Observatory
Aquarius Mission: Deep Microbe
Aquarius Reef Base is the only underwater research laboratory in the world, deployed 60 feet beneath the surface in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It is also a training site for NASA/NOAA missions. Aquarius Mission: Deep Microbe is the first study undertaken to understand the microbial dynamics of human-created spaces underwater. We initiated the pilot study to establish the logistics of a long-term study.
Expedition: Evolutionary Landscapes of the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago
Carrying the Explorers Club Flag #89 for "The Indus Valley Biodiversity Expedition," Dwarka, India
DNA ID Workshop, City Tech, CUNY, NY
Students Unite for Water, City Tech, NY
At the World Science Festival
Science of Underwater Exploration at the annual World Science Festival 2009 was offered to an estimated 175,000 people. Invited by the World Science Festival Pioneers — students following Sylvia Earle's work — participants gained hands-on experience in both scuba diving and biological methodology. In 2012, WSF organized an exposition/symposium accompanied by the Science of Underwater Exploration, where students across the city presented their findings.
Program Timeline
What Lies Beneath — New York City College of Technology, CUNY. Participants: NYPD scuba, NYSMEA, Urban Divers, Life Support Technologies, Lamont-Doherty Observatory, Columbia University, and Fort Hamilton High School. Exploration: Searching for cures — Gowanus Microbial Observatory; Expedition: The Indus Valley Civilization Biodiversity Project.
Underwater Exploration: From Oceans to Human Health at SCCS-NY 2011, American Museum of Natural History.
Walk4Water — a 4-mile walk from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Gowanus Canal to raise awareness of the worldwide water crisis on World Water Day. Also "Beneath the Sea: Exploring underwater science in real time."
Science of Underwater Exploration at the annual World Science Festival 2012. Theme: Conservation — Underwater Festival.