Most people would think twice about diving into murky waters. Not ocean engineering alumna Karen Carlson, who despite with chronic autoimmune disease systemic lupus, is the first woman to graduate from the Cal Poly Pomona program.

As a teacher, Karen Carlson incorporates much of the information gleaned from her ocean engineering background.

There is an increasing demand for engineers who understand the dynamics of the ocean.

"Ocean engineers work from ships, submersibles and space platforms," says Sam Kelly, electronic & computer engineering lecturer. "It is a niche field that requires heavy travel, often on short notice."

Carlson completed her undergraduate degree in 1989 and her ocean engineering certification in 2001. In addition to her work underwater, she also teaches science and math for grades seven through 12 in the San Gabriel Valley. Carlson finds both careers very fulfilling.

"I have water in my soul," she says. "The ocean and its complexity are somehow part of me. When I am in the water, I feel both in awe and at home."

Carlson is continuing her studies by creating a satellite-based bathymetric map of the lagoon at Catalina Island. Once the Catalina map is completed, she hopes to join Kelly on a bioremediation project in the Salton Sea.

Carlson is proud to be the first woman to graduate from the university's ocean engineering program and pleased to see higher enrollment by women in science-based majors.

"I want to reach out to young people, especially other women, and tell them that life is what we make it," she says. "We can either have change thrust upon us, or we can choose our own paths."