Shirley Pomponi – Diving, Cuba and meeting Fidel Castro

Shirley PomponeShirley Pomponi began her career in marine research while in college. She focuses on unique properties of sponges for biotechnological uses and that work led her onto the first U.S. vessel in 40 years on a trip to Cuba.

During a five week trip, with her husband, submersibles pilot, Don Liberatore (Johnson Sea Link) and underwater cinematographer, Al Giddings (Titanic, the Abyss), who were working on Forbidden Depths, a two-part documentary film for the Discovery Channel, she had the opportunity to discuss her scientific work with President Fidel Castro.

Among her many accomplishments, Shirley is also a member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, an honor society for women working in many different fields.

Find out more about Shirley and her work as the Executive Director, Ocean Science Technology and Development at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University.

 

 

About Elaine Masters

The Gathering Road podcast - Stories courage, passion and uncommon adventure. Hosted by dedicated traveler, Elaine J. Masters, Indie Excellence award-winning author and international scuba diver. The Indie Excellence Best Audio award winning author of Drivetime Yoga and Flytime Yoga is also a freelance travel writer and founder of the Tripwellness.com blog

When she's not on the road, Elaine is the co-organizer of the Travel Massive San Diego,  bringing together travel writers and industry professionals, a part of the global network of those working in the travel industry.

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