Michael Lombardi consults in the ocean science and technology community, and is an explorer, author, and photographer. He has an extensive professional and exploration diving background, taking him throughout the east coast, USA , to the Gulf of Mexico, Belize, the Bahamas, and Antarctica. He is experienced in several modes of diving, including mixed-gas and rebreathers. Much of his work involves developing advanced techniques to safely support science in very deep habitats. Michael has worked with institutions including several US university marine programs, the Office of Naval Research, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Undersea Research Center (NURC), and the US Army Corps of Engineers. He is the former Diving Safety Officer for NOAA's Caribbean Marine Research Center. Michael started Ocean Opportunity, a not for profit organization, in 2003, as a vehicle to pursue his interests in exploration. This work has gone noticed recently (2007) with recognition among Providence Rhode Island's '40 Under 40'. Michael plans to take scientific diving to depths exceeding 500 feet within the next several years, to demonstrate the effectiveness of humans conducting investigations at this depth.

Email: m.lombardi@conservationinstitute.org