• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
August 13, 2026
Ponant Explorations has announced the expert team for its 2027 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Antarctica voyages, featuring four leading scientists.
The voyage will test new ideas and technologies, according to Emmy and Peabody Award-winner Richard Vevers.PHOTO: PONANT EXPLORATIONS
Ponant Explorations revealed the group of experts joining its 2027 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution voyages in Antarctica.
Dr Catherine Walker, a glaciologist and planetary scientist, will join the expedition to share her research on the relationship between Antarctica's ice shelves and the surrounding ocean. Using satellite observations, autonomous technologies and field expeditions, she studies how the polar ice sheets are changing and what those shifts could mean for future sea-level rise. On board, she will share stories from Antarctic fieldwork and reveal how research in Earth's polar regions is also helping scientists prepare to explore oceans hidden beneath the icy surfaces of distant moons.
Dr Ted Maksym, a polar oceanographer and sea ice physicist who has participated in more than a dozen Arctic and Antarctic research expeditions, will examine Antarctica's dynamic sea ice and its influence on global ocean circulation, ecosystems and climate. His work uses autonomous underwater vehicles, satellite observations and field measurements. Passengers will gain an insider's perspective on life and research in the polar regions while learning about the remarkable forces shaping one of the most remote places on Earth.
Dr Kilaparti "Rama" Ramakrishna, a leading expert on ocean and climate policy, brings together science, diplomacy and international law to advance global environmental action. As senior advisor to the WHOI president and director on ocean and climate policy at WHOI, he works to ensure that ocean science informs international decision-making. On board, he will explore the Southern Ocean's role in Earth's climate system, the future of international ocean governance and how emerging technologies are transforming scientific discovery and environmental stewardship.
Richard Vevers, an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning ocean communicator and conservation innovator, is dedicated to changing the way people see the ocean. As director of Room 71 and the Ocean Communication Academy at WHOI, he develops creative initiatives that build public understanding and support for ocean science. His pioneering work includes bringing Google Street View underwater and helping create the Netflix documentary Chasing Coral. On board, he will share stories from the front lines of ocean exploration and offer a new perspective on the world hidden beneath Antarctica's icy waters.
"We couldn't be more excited about this landmark expedition to Antarctica made possible through our partnership with Ponant Explorations," remarked Vevers. "We are reimagining educational travel and its potential for impact – it won't just be a wonderful experience for those onboard, it will be an important scientific mission designed to test new ideas and technologies. Guests will be actively involved in advancing global understanding of one of the most important environments on the planet."
Source: sea-trade cruise
