Nerina Holden   
Surface Based Science Team
Team Leader
BSc Biology, University of Sussex, England
MSc Marine Resources, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland

Nerina's work in science started after her first degree when she worked on commercial physical oceanography projects in the UK. After her Master's degree she became a senior scientist with the Environment Agency for England and Wales, and works there now for one of its National Centres of technical excellence.

As a senior scientist she developed and managed projects in aquatic ecotoxicology, testing how methods could be used to measure estuarine and river health. The results are now being used in the UK to develop an alternative means of regulating complex aquatic discharges. She currently works with a team assessing environmental risks and environmental values, and is producing a 'Risks and Values' guide for UK environmental regulation.

Her diving experience arose from sports diving in the UK whilst at University, and she is now a commercial diver, having qualified in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, in 1993. Whilst in the UK she goes leisure diving with friends, dives in aquaria shark tanks and helps teach new divers.

She has been involved with Tom Cronin's "Underwater Light Team" on a number of field trips around the world, and will be leading his surface dive team during the August 1999 Mission. Nerina will ensure that the team gathers data safely, and gets the most from its time at the Undersea Research Centre. She will also be the main communication link between the Aquanauts and the surface team, contacting them each day to check their progress and reporting on the surface team's activities. As well as undertaking their own work, the surface team will support the Aquanauts and dive to the habitat to deliver and collect equipment.