Ocean career plunges into global exploration

Category: Grad Success

Two scuba divers are underwater, swimming above the ocean floor.

From Antigonish, Katie says growing up in Nova Scotia sparked her curiosity and passion for the ocean from a very young age.

NSCC alum Katie MacIntosh’s unwavering love for the ocean has led to a global scientific career, with her latest expedition taking her to Antarctica as part of an all-female research team.

“Only 28% of our global oceans have been mapped and explored – we currently know more about the moon than we do our own deep sea here on Earth. I’m fascinated by this gap of knowledge and unexplored territory,” she says.

Beginning as a hydrographer working with AUV and ROV survey systems in deep‑sea environments, Katie advanced into senior leadership roles on multicultural vessel teams and is now a survey project manager with Subsea7 in London, currently overseeing survey delivery for a $1.25B project in Brazil.

“I’ve been fortunate to work in remote coastal and deepwater environments across North America, the UK, the EU, Norway, Turkey, Brazil and on long-term projects in Africa, including Egypt and Senegal,” says Katie.

As a three-time Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) alum, Katie (Survey Technician ’08, Geomatics Engineering Technology ‘09, Marine Geomatics ’10) credits her education with enabling early international opportunities and rapid growth in demanding environments.

“COGS has an international reputation of being one of the strongest geomatics-focused education programs in the world; largely due to their hands-on technical training that directly aligns with industry needs,” says Katie.

A selfie of a woman wearing a pink toque and light jacket while hiking in front of mountains.

Preparing for Antarctica requires both mental and physical endurance. To get expedition‑ready, she’s trading her scuba fins for hiking boots.

Taking ocean science to the ends of the earth

Selected from 200 global applicants, Katie is one of 25 women joining the Sea Women Expeditions journey to Antarctica in February 2026. The expedition focuses on advancing subsea exploration and research to help mitigate the impacts of climate change and support women's leadership development in the STEM fields.

“I’ve joined Sea Women Expeditions as their lead hydrographer, responsible for planning, overseeing, and executing the subsea mapping and scientific survey work. That includes the use of ROVs, subsea sensor integration, and geospatial technologies,” says Katie.

“We’ll be scouting, observing, and documenting historic whalebone graveyards and hydrothermal vent activity to study the microbial communities in these environments.”

Over 24 days, the team will sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, through the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Elephant Island, the Antarctic Peninsula and the Polar Circle aboard the world’s first registered Polar Class 6 vessel.

“I also co-lead the Wellness Committee for Sea Women Expeditions, helping to ensure the physical and mental well-being of the team, not only during the expedition but also in the lead-up and follow-through upon returning home,” she adds.

Inspiring the Next Wave of women in STEM

Growing up, Katie rarely saw visible female role models in subsea engineering, ocean sciences, or exploration – an absence that fuels her commitment to advancing inclusivity and equity in the industry and supporting young women entering STEM.

By sharing her journey, delivering keynotes, and mentoring women, Katie works to create the change she knows is needed.

With 16 years of experience, often as one of the few women on her team, Katie has seen the STEM industries gain increasing female representation and stronger company cultures, and has worked with men who are strong allies.

“Representation matters. When young women can see someone who looks like them in leadership roles, and driving subsea innovation, it expands their curiosity and removes limits to what they believe is possible for them,” explains Katie.