US geologists at the Rothera Base in Antarctica welcomed 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 event as exciting and believed that the new administration would prioritize science. He mentioned feeling inspired by Obama's commitment to doubling basic research funding in the next decade. Amanda Savrda, a graduate student in geology working with Barbeau, also shared the sentiment of hope and appreciation for a president who values and supports science. She stated that it appears to be promising for her future and the future of many people in science. Barbeau and Savrda are attempting to determine the specific time when the ocean formed between Antarctica and South America millions of years ago. Scientists at the Rothera base are also researching various aspects such as ice sheets and starfish to understand how they could be impacted by climate change. Obama has pledged to prioritize the battle against global warming. Former President George W. Bush's decision to not adopt the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, the primary UN strategy for combating climate change, caused frustration among numerous scientists and foreign governments. All the other advanced nations support the Kyoto agreement.