I'm Dan Vallentyne, a marine technologist working across research software, underwater imaging, and product design.
I build tools for marine science and environmental organizations. My work can begin with collecting images underwater and continue through processing, mapping, and building an interface for exploring the results.
A background in making complex work understandable
My background is in design and software development. I've worked on enterprise applications, educational experiences, and tools for commercial, government, and nonprofit organizations.
At Morgan Stanley, I led design and research for enterprise applications. My redesign of key MyBooking workflows reduced task completion time by 60%. I also worked on shared platform patterns, mentored designers, and facilitated product development workshops.
That experience shapes how I approach research tools: learn how people work, understand the information they need, and make the next step clearer.
Working with the data, from its source
My marine work includes reef surveys in Bonaire, underwater photogrammetry for Reef Check California, and marine megafauna field data collection in Mozambique.
I've developed custom survey equipment, automated the processing of underwater imagery, and built tools for inspecting reef maps and marine debris. I'm also the first author of a study on mercury in dried market fish and a coauthor of research on marine megafauna vulnerability to tuna fisheries.
At Ocean Agentics, I lead product work and volunteer research teams developing ocean data tools. I wrote and won the organization's first grant, securing $100,000 from Docusign for collaborative workshops.
What guides my work
I'm interested in ecological change, deep time, and how people participate in thriving ecosystems across generations. These interests connect my work in the field with the software, research, and communication projects I take on.
Background
- PADI Divemaster with more than 1,000 dives.
- BA, Design and Digital Application, California State University Monterey Bay, 2003.
- Additional work in museum interpretation, design education, coral photography, and recording whale song.