With a doctorate in the field of marine biology, New York native Christian Heesch uses the scientific method throughout his work. This method, when applied to marine studies, involves a four step process. The first step in the process is characterization, the act of observing the elements underwater and their functions. Next, he creates a hypothesis, which is an educated theoretical or hypothetical explanation for the events observed. Finally, he will predict what is to occur in the final phases and conduct his own experiment.