US geologists at the Rothera Base in Antarctica celebrated President Barack Obama's inauguration and expressed optimism for a greater emphasis on science. David Barbeau, an assistant professor of geology at the University of South Carolina, described the inauguration as an exciting time and mentioned that there is a sense that the new administration will prioritize science. He also mentioned feeling encouraged by Obama's pledge to increase basic research funding over the next decade. Amanda Savrda, a graduate student in geology at the same university, echoed this sentiment, expressing hope for a president who values and supports science. "It appears to be a good sign for my own future and for the future of many individuals in the field of science," she stated. Barbeau and Savrda are currently working on determining the exact timeframe of when the ocean formed between Antarctica and South America millions of years ago. Meanwhile, at the Rothera base, other scientists are conducting research on various topics such as ice sheets and starfish to understand how they might be impacted by climate change. Obama has committed to making the battle against global warming a top priority. In contrast, former President George W Bush caused frustration among numerous scientists and foreign governments when he chose not to adopt the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, which is the primary UN strategy for combating climate change. Every other developed country supports the Kyoto Protocol.