Category: Videos
Past to Present | the Inland Blue Holes
In 2008, Lombardi’s journeyed to Abaco to explore and document the inland blue holes with veteran cave explorer Brian Kakuk. These caves are deep, dark, even tedious at times – yet full of potential.The project was made possible with support from Bahamas Underground, the 1LT Gregory Zavota Memorial Fund, and Ocean Opportunity Inc.
Read MorePast to Present | Summertime Blues
In 2008, OO organized an eco-educational experience for a group to observe and interact with blue sharks off of the Rhode Island coast in cooperation with Dr. Brad Wetherbee of the University of Rhode Island and Snappa Charters. The work was featured in Rhode Island Monthly Magazine with the article receiving 2nd Place in Science…
Read MorePast to Present | Jamestown Bridge Reefs
Lombardi’s commercial and scientific work collide. Following the demolition of the ‘old’ Jamestown Bridge, he participates in post-demo survey and cleanup efforts. Debris from the site is placed offshore to create two artificial reef sites. Lombardi works in cooperation with Conusub, the RI Department of Environmental Management, and the University of Rhode Island to conduct…
Read MoreMaking Headlines | Diving a Dream
Matthew Johnston partners with Ocean Opportunity Inc., and with the culmination of 3 years of hard work and dedication, he becomes the world’s first ventilator dependent diver. The project is featured on NBC’s Today Show in January 2007. The project was a critical demonstration of advances in adaptive diving, and perhaps more importantly, the ability to…
Read MorePast to Present | first CCR dives on Lee Stocking Island
In 2004, Lombardi fights an uphill battle to gain approval to dive closed-circuit rebreathers under institutional auspices at NOAA’s Caribbean Marine Research Center. The effort results in new standards established for the organization, liability issues mitigated, and the first CCR dives conducted for science at this NURP facility.
Read MorePast to Present | Lusca’s Breath
Lombardi provides cave diving support at several locations in Exumas, Bahamas for Dr. Marc Slattery of the University of Mississippi, and during subsequent field projects for private biotechnology companies. Numerous new sponge species are discovered which reveal the potential for natural product discovery. This prompts a keen interest in the field, and an emerging professional…
Read MorePast to Present | Antarctica K068
Lombardi provides dive support for Antarctica K068, a cooperative research project between researchers at the University of New Hampshire and the University of Otago. The project investigated the effects of ultraviolet radiation on marine life below the Antarctic sea ice. Again faced with very real limitations in underwater efficiency, Lombardi continued to pursue innovations to…
Read MorePast to Present | Technical Diving for Science
Lombardi and Drs. Marc Slattery of the University of Mississippi and Michael Lesser of the University of New Hampshire make the first mixed-gas dives for science at NOAA’s Caribbean Marine Research Center. This marked a significant milestone in US government supported diving for science programs, where new operational standards were drafted for this NURC center.…
Read MoreBreakthrough Discovery | Fluorescent Mantis Shrimp
Lombardi, Albertson and McGauley work with Charlie Mazel on several night dives off of Lee Stocking Island during early experimentation of fluorescence discovery and imaging techniques. A fluorescent mantis shrimp was discovered preying on a small fish, and resulted in among the first descriptions of the functional role of fluorescence in the marine environment.
Read MorePast to Present | Mycobacterium Marinum
Lombardi suffers a deep gash on his right hand while working in a dirty marina. Several months later, a deep tissue infection reveals itself. A lengthy surgery and several months of strong antibiotics are required to fend off the Mycobacterium marinum infection. This results in further questions about career direction and how to improve health…
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