US geologists at Rothera Base in Antarctica were excited about President Barack Obama's inauguration and hopeful for a renewed focus on science. David Barbeau, an assistant professor of geology, expressed optimism about the new administration's commitment to increasing basic research funding. Amanda Savrda, a graduate student working with Barbeau, also felt inspired by Obama's support for science. "It appears to be a positive sign for my future and the future of many individuals in the field of science," she stated. Barbeau and Savrda are currently attempting to determine the exact timeline of when the ocean formed between Antarctica and South America millions of years ago. Meanwhile, at the Rothera base, other researchers are examining various aspects such as ice sheets and starfish to see how they might be impacted by climate change. Obama has committed to prioritizing the battle against global warming. In contrast, former President George W Bush faced criticism from numerous scientists and foreign governments for choosing not to adopt the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, which is the primary UN initiative aimed at combating climate change. All the other industrialized countries support the Kyoto agreement.