Nikki Arm

Nikki Arm

My passion for both robotics and marine biology have inspired me to pursue a career exploring, researching, and protecting the deep sea. I am an undergraduate student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where I major in Mechanical Engineering and also work as a technician and safety supervisor in the department's machine shops.
I'm thrilled to be spending my summers in my home town of San Diego working in the Deheyn lab at SIO, where my current research is studying communication and biological function of different invertebrates from electromagnetic energy generated by these organisms. I am also testing the function of a novel analytical device called the B.U.M.P. (Benthic Underwater Microscopic PAM). I've previously worked on and continue to support efforts focusing on image analysis and algorithm development to help quantify microplastics/microfiber pollution in the oceans, and the development of robotic systems able to precisely function in high pressure environments like the deep sea. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Marine Biology at Scripps after finishing my B.S. at Cal Poly, and ultimately aim to design and build research submarines and underwater ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) to explore the deepest parts of the ocean.