Stephanie Schwabe
Encyclopedia
Stephanie Jutta Schwabe is a geomicrobiologist
. She completed a Ph.D. in the biogeochemical investigation of caves within the Bahamian
carbonate platforms, commonly referred to as blue hole
s. She is an expert geologic diver mostly in Bahamian blues holes, though her experience extends to expeditions in U.S. waters. Diver International named her one of the top 40 divers in the world. She earned a degree in law with a focus on international environmental law.
Schwabe is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
of London. She was named a NASA
fellow in exo-biology for her discovery of a unique life system found only in the black fresh water holes in the Bahamas, and was featured in the book titled Women of Discovery: A Celebration of Intrepid Women Who Explored the World.
In 2004, Schwabe was given the "Women of Discovery Courage Award" by Wings WorldQuest.
.
Schwabe discovered a species of purple sulfur bacteria
she named Allocromatium palmerii in 2003 after her late husband and diver Rob Palmer.
Schwabe is the founder and director of the Rob Palmer Blues Holes Foundation, a nonprofit organization. The foundation is dedicated to the scientific and physical exploration of blue holes within the Bahamas and related environment. The foundation's goals are to encourage education and conservation of Bahamian caves and blue holes.
that occurred to her while lost as she was solo diving
in a cave.
Her husband, British diving pioneer Rob Palmer, died on a pleasure dive in the Red Sea in 1997.
Microbiologist
A microbiologist is a scientist who works in the field of microbiology. Microbiologists study organisms called microbes. Microbes can take the form of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists...
. She completed a Ph.D. in the biogeochemical investigation of caves within the Bahamian
The Bahamas
The Bahamas , officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is a nation consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 islets . It is located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba and Hispaniola , northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeast of the United States...
carbonate platforms, commonly referred to as blue hole
Blue hole
A blue hole is a cave or underwater sinkhole. They are also called vertical caves. There are many different blue holes located around the world, typically in low-lying coastal regions...
s. She is an expert geologic diver mostly in Bahamian blues holes, though her experience extends to expeditions in U.S. waters. Diver International named her one of the top 40 divers in the world. She earned a degree in law with a focus on international environmental law.
Schwabe is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
of London. She was named a NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
fellow in exo-biology for her discovery of a unique life system found only in the black fresh water holes in the Bahamas, and was featured in the book titled Women of Discovery: A Celebration of Intrepid Women Who Explored the World.
In 2004, Schwabe was given the "Women of Discovery Courage Award" by Wings WorldQuest.
Exploration
Schwabe began diving in caves in 1992. Since that time, she has participated in eighteen scientific expeditions to the Bahamas, as subjects for masters and doctoral research. She has participated in a number of film expeditions. In 1999, Schwabe's discovery quest lead her to the Black Hole of Andros, BahamasAndros, Bahamas
Andros Island is an archipelago within the archipelago-nation of the Bahamas, the largest of the 26 inhabited Bahamian Islands. Geo-politically considered a single island, Andros has an area greater than all the other 700 Bahamian islands combined...
.
Schwabe discovered a species of purple sulfur bacteria
Purple sulfur bacteria
The purple sulfur bacteria are a group of Proteobacteria capable of photosynthesis, collectively referred to as purple bacteria. They are anaerobic or microaerophilic, and are often found in hot springs or stagnant water. Unlike plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, they do not use water as their...
she named Allocromatium palmerii in 2003 after her late husband and diver Rob Palmer.
Schwabe is the founder and director of the Rob Palmer Blues Holes Foundation, a nonprofit organization. The foundation is dedicated to the scientific and physical exploration of blue holes within the Bahamas and related environment. The foundation's goals are to encourage education and conservation of Bahamian caves and blue holes.
Third Man phenomenon
Schwabe also describes the Third Man phenomenonThird Man phenomenon
The Third Man factor or Third Man syndrome refers to the reported situations where an unseen presence such as a "spirit" provides comfort or support during traumatic experiences. Sir Ernest Shackleton in his book South, described his belief that an incorporeal being joined him and two others during...
that occurred to her while lost as she was solo diving
Solo diving
Solo diving is the practice of scuba diving alone without a "dive buddy". Solo diving, once discouraged, is now beginning to gain acceptance among experienced divers who have skills in self-sufficiency and redundant backup equipment....
in a cave.
Her husband, British diving pioneer Rob Palmer, died on a pleasure dive in the Red Sea in 1997.