On July 12, 2022, Dawn Wright journeyed in the deep submergence vehicle Limiting Factor to the previously unvisited southern edge of the Western Pool of Challenger Deep – 10,919 m below sea level. During the dive, Dawn and undersea explorer Victor Vescovo operated the first full-ocean-depth sidescan sonar to be installed and operated on a submersible. Other highlights of the dive included visual observation of deep-sea lifeforms such as hadal anemones and hydroids, and special geologic features associated with the tectonic nature of Challenger Deep.

Dr. Dawn Wright (’83 Geology) is Chief Scientist of the Environmental Systems Research Institute, a world-leading geographic information system (GIS) software and data science company. As Chief Scientist, Dawn has served on many advisory boards including the NOAA and EPA Science Advisory Boards, and the National Academy of Sciences Ocean Studies Board. Dawn is also Professor of Geography and Oceanography at Oregon State University. She enjoys road cycling, 18th-century pirates, her dog Riley, and SpongeBob Squarepants. She has been featured as a LEGO minifig and in a set of trading cards!

This event is free and open to the public. It will take place in Meyer Science Center (Room 145 - Buyse Lecture Hall) located at 430 Howard Street in Wheaton. For more information, visit our webpage or contact Fran Titcomb at 630.752.5627.