HZT PROJECT HEADS

Prof Alan Jamieson

Alan is a world-leading expert in marine biology, autonomous deep ocean vehicles and is the author of the book Hadal Zone: Life in the Deepest Oceans. He has published over 110 scientific papers and participated, and often led, over 70 deep sea expeditions. He recently concluded as the Chief Scientist on the 5- Deeps expedition, a $50M round the world expedition using a bespoke full ocean depth rated 2-person submersible. He has designed multiple Hadal-Landers and has deployed them over 500 times in the ultra-deep subduction trenches of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding areas. He has also descended 12 times into the deep sea, typically at hadal depths in a full ocean depth rated submersible and is one of the very few people to have visited depths greater than 10,000m more than once. Professor Jamieson started out at Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen UK where he progressed from mechanical technician to senior lecturer in Marine Biology (2000-2016), and later moved to Newcastle University’s School of Natural and Environmental Sciences as a senior lecturer in Marine Ecology from 2016-2021. He gained a PhD in 2004 for his thesis entitled Autonomous lander technology for biological research at mid-water, abyssal and hadal depths. He is an international authority on the deepest places in the oceans known as the ‘hadal zone’, meaning depths between 6000 and 11,000 metres. He has published over 120 peer reviewed scientific papers and book chapters and monographed the book The Hadal Zone: life in the deepest oceans for Cambridge University Press in 2015. He has participated in nearly 70 deep-sea expeditions on over 26 research vessels spanning every ocean. He also pioneered the design, construction and operations of the full ocean depth Hadal-Landers and has deployed these baited camera systems over 500 times throughout the world’s deepest trenches.

Dr Thom Linley

Thom has been working in deep-sea science since 2006 and has discovered several new species of deep-sea fish, including the world’s deepestfish. He has mainly focused on the use of autonomous vehicles to observe animals in their natural environment while causing minimal impact or disturbance. The necessity to repair and maintain equipment in the field has led to an understanding of current deep-sea technology and the development of Hadal Zone s unique technology.

Thomas has guest lectured at the New York Aquarium, giving public talks and teaching classes and has worked as an aquarist in the UK’s largest commercial aquarium.

Pete Johnson

Pete has worked alongside some of the biggest international companies in the world such as Microsoft Corporation, Intel & Hewlett Packard, Inmarsat Plc, the UK & European Space Agency, Armatus Oceanic and the Royal Navy. His companies have delivered a broad range of projectsand activities focussing on developing specialist applications, brands and deliverables to support international initiatives and market strategies. Pete was fully instrumental in supporting the HZT team in securing international contracts and has held office with the business since inception.