An educator leads a teacher workshop in a large conference room. She is standing in the middle of teachers seated at tables. In the background is another educator standing on a stage in front of a projector screen.
Image: Calista Kerba © 2026 MBARI

Year: 2000

School: MIT

Project: Developing an AUV manual remote control system

Advisor: Drew Gashler

Currently: Educator

A summer at MBARI and a career that followed: How AnnMarie Thomas carried the experience forward.

More than two decades after her MBARI internship, AnnMarie Thomas still sees a direct line from that experience to her work today: shaping how people learn about science, technology, and the ocean.

Meet the educator

After more than 17 years as an engineering professor, Thomas now works as an education consultant, most recently helping to build out the education branch at OceanX.

Her work focuses on connecting people—especially students—to science and technology in meaningful, engaging ways.

A musician and an educator seated at a table discuss an educational lesson plan in a brightly lit classroom.
AnnMarie Thomas collaborated with the band OK Go to launch an online resource for educators that uses the band’s unique music videos as starting points for at-home science experiments. Image courtesy of Mike Ekern/University of St. Thomas

An early start at MBARI

As an MBARI intern, Thomas worked on autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge ocean technology.

That experience stayed with her.

“There is a direct line from my MBARI internship to my work 26 years later,” said Thomas, noting that while the technical skills were important, something else proved even more influential.

“MBARI internships give students a chance to see beyond the classroom and be part of a team working on cutting-edge ocean science and technology.”

—AnnMarie Thomas

The power of mentorship

According to Thomas, one of the most lasting impacts of her internship was the mentorship she received.

“George Matsumoto inspired my career in education,” she explained, noting that other MBARI mentors, including Drew Gashler and Paul McGill, helped her build many technical engineering skills that she continues to use in her work today.

Years later, that connection came full circle: “I was able to invite George to participate in an OceanX Hackathon, switching roles from 25 years prior,” she said.

An educator leads an interactive workshop for a group of people in a conference room. The participants are seated around a table with their computers.
AnnMarie Thomas developed several education initiatives with OceanX, including hackathons that turn real expedition data into immersive learning experiences. Image courtesy of OceanX

What made MBARI different

For Thomas, the community at MBARI was just as important as the work itself.

“I’m still in touch with colleagues from MBARI more than two decades later,” she said, explaining that the experience of being treated as a peer left a lasting impression. “It was remarkable to be treated as a colleague by engineers I so admired.”

A moment that stuck

Beyond the projects and mentorship, what stands out most to Thomas is how the experience felt.

“I remember being so excited to go to work each day. I felt like I was contributing to something important,” she said.

Why MBARI matters

Thomas sees internship programs like MBARI’s as rare opportunities for young scientists and engineers.

“They give students a chance to see beyond the classroom and be part of a team working on cutting-edge ocean science and technology,” she explained. “It’s a chance to meet role models and future collaborators.”

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