2007 UNOLS Council Slate

Elections will be held at the UNOLS Annual Meeting on October 11-12, 2007 to fill expiring Council terms. UNOLS Nominating Committee members Peter Ortner (Chair), Bruce Corliss, and Eileen Hofmann have assembled a slate of candidates for the UNOLS Council positions to be filled. This election will be held in accordance with the UNOLS Charter as readopted October 2004. The slate is included below. Statements of Interest and biographical sketches for each candidate follow.

 

NON-OPERATOR REPRESENTATIVE (3 year term) - from among designated UNOLS Member Non-Operator institutions:

·         Dr. Douglas Biggs, Texas A&M University

·         Dr. John M. Morrison, University of North Carolina at Wilmington

·         Dr. L. Scott Quackenbush, Humboldt State University

 

AT-LARGE (3 year term) - individual affiliated with any UNOLS Member Institution:

·         Dr. Nancy N. Rabalais, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium

·         Dr. Christopher I. Measures, University of Hawaii

·         Dr. Terry E. Whitledge, University of Alaska Fairbanks

 

Statements of Interest and Biographical Sketches

Non-Operator Representative

Dr. Douglas Biggs, Texas A&M University

Statement of Interest:

I am a seagoing oceanographer.  Beginning with my grad student days, I’ve averaged going to sea at least once a year on oceanographic research cruises.  I’ve been Chief or Co-Chief Scientist on 25 cruises and a participant in 16 others, on UNOLS research vessels of intermediate and global class and on US Coast Guard icebreakers, and on French, Mexican, and Argentine vessels.   And I take my grad students to sea.  Nine MS and ten PhD students that I’ve Chaired or Co-Chaired at TAMU went to sea with me on one or more cruises to the Southern Ocean or Gulf of Mexico, and each of their theses or dissertations drew heavily on data collected on these cruises.  I was a founding member of the UNOLS Research Vessel Technical Enhancement Committee (RVTEC) and I served UNOLS as Vice Chair of RVTEC, 1992-1993.  As the national and international oceanographic community receives ever more data from ocean observatories, access to the ocean via research vessels needs to continue to go hand-in-hand with access via OOI coastal and global nodes and via remote sensing from aircraft and from earth orbit.    

 

Biographical Sketch:

  • Professional Positions: 

-          Professor, Department of Oceanography, TAMU, since 1996.

-          Associate Professor, TAMU Oceanography, 1983-1995 with service as Manager, Seagoing Technical Support Services Group, 1984-1994.

  • Education: 

Ph.D. Oceanography, MIT-WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography, 1976 

A.B. magna cum laude, Biology, Franklin & Marshall College, 1972

·         Primary Research Interests: 

-          Nutrient enhanced coastal ocean productivity;

-          Biogeochemical processes in mesoscale cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies;

-          Zooplankton stock estimation from ADCP backscatter intensity;

-          Physical and biological habitat use by sperm whales and other apex predators.

  • Seagoing Experience:  Chief or Co-Chief Scientist on 25 cruises and a participant in 16 others, on UNOLS research vessels of intermediate and global class and on US Coast Guard icebreakers, and on French, Mexican, and Argentine vessels.

·         Committee Memberships: TOS, AGU, ASLO, AAAS, MTS, SigmaXi, PhiBetaKappa

Dr. John M. Morrison, University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Statement of Interest:

My research interests lie in descriptive physical oceanography; general ocean circulation; estuarine and coastal ocean processes; air-sea interaction; global ocean climate; biogeochemical processes and there effects on the biodiversity of the ocean; long-term and systematic ocean observations and management of large oceanographic field activities.

I am a seagoing oceanographer by experience and interest.  I have served many roles aboard ship, as a student, technician, researcher and chief scientist (I even served as a deck hand on one cruise!).  I have served as a scientist and organizer for many large-scale oceanographic expeditions, most of which were interdisciplinary in nature, during my career.  I have also served a number of roles within the academic fleet, from back in the early 1990’s when I worked for the National Academy on a report on the composition and status of the academic fleet, to a local role as Chair of the Policy Board and Chair of the Program Committee for the Duke/UNC Oceanographic Consortium.   I am currently serving as UNOLS Representative on the Regional Class Research Vessel review committee.  I have been and will continue to be a strong proponent for getting our students to sea --- even if they are modelers, they need to have seagoing experience. I am sure that my wide range of experience in the Academic Fleet will allow me to serve the community well during a time of great challenges for UNOLS and the research fleet, as the fleet ages, resources become more strained and we begin to get ready for large infrastructure programs such as ORION, IOOS and COOS.

Biographical Sketch:

·         Current Positions:

-          Full Professor, Center for Marine Science and Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 29403, 2006 – present.

-          Adjunct Full Professor, Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC  27695-8208, 2005 – present.

·         Education: 

B. A. in Physics, College of the Holy Cross, 1971

M. S. in Physical Oceanography, Texas A&M University, 1974

Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography, Texas A&M University, 1977

·         Research Interests:  Descriptive physical oceanography; general ocean circulation; air-sea interaction and climate; ocean observing systems.

  • Seagoing Experience:  Over the last 20 years, spent more than 30 months at sea as a student, technician and scientist; serving the role of Chief Scientist for many cruises.  Also served as logistics officer for a number of large, multi-institutional and multi-national cruises.  Cruise experience has included work aboard the Susan Hudson, Savannah, Cape Fear, Cape Henlopen, Cape Hatteras, Alaminos, Gyre, Knorr, Thompson, Thomas G. Thompson, Roger Revelle, Palmer, Researcher (Ronald H. Brown), Atlantis II, Melville and Explorer Of The Seas, and on international vessels, such as Sierra Negra, Yelcho, and Darwin, and on countless other smaller vessels.

·         Memberships and professional service (current and relevant):

-          Member International Pan Ocean Remote Sensing Conferences Executive Committee, 2002—present

-          Member, UNOLS Regional Class Advisory Committee (RCAC), 2003 –2004.

-          Member, NASA Ocean Color Research Team, 2002 – present.

-          Member, South Atlantic Bight Physical Oceanography and Meteorology, 2006 – present.

-          Member, Duke/UNC Oceanographic Consortium Program Committee, 1985 - 1996, 1998 - Present  (Chairman, 1986 -1992)

-          Member (Alternate), Council for Ocean Leadership, 2007 – present

  • Awards/Recognitions: 

-          Antarctic Service Medal of the United States, Awarded by Congress, 1983

-          Outstanding Performance Award, Ocean Science Division, National Science Foundation, 1986

-          Special Service Award, National Science Foundation, Contributions to Presidential Science and Technology Initiative, November 1985.

-          Faculty Fellow, US Navy - American Society Engineering Education, Summer 1991

-          Senior Faculty Fellow, US Navy - American Society Engineering Education, Summer, 1992

·         Grants and Publications: Over 40 publications and numerous published abstracts and reports.  PI or co-PI on over $6.5M in research grants.

Dr. L. Scott Quackenbush, Humboldt State University

Statement of Interest:

Humboldt State University has been a member of UNOLS for several years, and we have benefited from this organization in many ways. It is time someone from one of the smaller university member’s volunteers to participate in the UNOLS Council. At HSU we operate a coastal oceanographic vessel, R.V. Coral Sea. We use the vessel for teaching and research as well as outside contracts, about 150 days a year. We also operate a small coastal marine lab for teaching and research. HSU is a member of several regional associations for ocean observing including: PaCOOS, NANOOS and CeNCOOS. Our faculty are active in research in marine sciences; several have used UNOLS vessels in the past. 

I have shipboard experience on both UNOLS and non-UNOLS vessels, and served for several years as member of the advisory council and executive board of the Florida Institute of Oceanography. I am also currently an active member of the Small Boat Safety Association, a group of boat safety officers on the west coast of the U.S. I am a member-at-large of the Western Association of Marine Labs, part of the National Association of Marine Labs. I have experience in vessel operations, vessel safety and especially the challenge of funding education and research at smaller universities. I would welcome the opportunity to bring this perspective to the UNOLS Council.

 

Biographical Sketch:

·         Professional Positions:

-          2006 to Present: Professor. Department of Biological Sciences, Director of HSU Marine Lab, Associate Dean for Marine Science Programs, Humboldt State University, Arcata ,California.

-          2004 to 2006: Professor. Department of Biological Sciences, University North Carolina at

-          Wilmington, NC.

-          1998–2004: Professor and Chair. Department of Biological Sciences, University North Carolina at Wilmington, NC.

-          1986-1998: Assistant to Full Professor. Dept. Biological Sciences, Florida International University. Miami, FL.

·         Education: 

-          1978-1981: Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida., Ph.D.

-          1976-1978: University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, M.S.

-          1972-1974: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota B.A. in Biology

-          1970-1972: Boston University, Boston Massachusetts.

  • Seagoing Experience:  Teaching and Research Cruises on: R.V. Bellows: 1980, 1988-1998; R.V. Suncoaster: 1996, 1997; R.V Cape Hatteras 2001; R.V. Seahawk: 2000-2003; R.V. Chris Collier: 1994-1998, Mineral Management Services in Louisiana: Contract cruises for deployment of oceanographic equipment, 1981-1985.

·         Memberships and professional service (current):

-          American Association for Advancement of Science, 1981- present

-          Crustacean Society, 1985- present

-          Sigma XI, 1999 to present

-          South Eastern Biologists, 1998-present

-          North Carolina Academy of Sciences, 1998-present

  • Awards/Recognitions:  Awarded a University wide teaching award at FIU in 1996, in recognition of 5 continuous years of classroom teaching excellence.
  • Grants and Publications:

-          1985 to Present - 29 extramural research grants totaling in excess of $2 million.

-          20 full papers published since 1981.

 

AT-LARGE Council Position

 

Dr. Nancy N. Rabalais, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium

Statement of Interest:

I have been Chief Scientist for numerous cruises on research vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, and on the R/V Pelican since 1985 when it arrived at the LUMCON dock. My research focus is coastal ecosystems, in particular the interaction of the Mississippi River with the Gulf of Mexico.  Since becoming Executive Director of LUMCON in June 2005, I assumed the responsibility for the Pelican, and served as the Interim Marine Superintendent from August 2005 until February 2006, when I promoted Mr. Joe Malbrough to Marine Superintendent.  I have been closely involved with the scientific operations of the Pelican since 1985 (I had the second cruise on the ship), and intimately with the UNOLS operations since 2005.  I have led several proposals for equipment and overseen the annual reporting.  We had a successful UNOLS inspection in February 2007.  The Pelican is also one of the most heavily used UNOLS vessels.  In 2007 we gave days away from our schedule to provide work for the Hatteras which was destined to lay up.  We are well on our way to a successful year in 2008.  We are also considering the potential for another research vessel in the Gulf of Mexico to be centered at LUMCON.

I would bring the experience of a hands-on scientist on a medium class coastal research vessel, and knowledge of research needs in the Gulf of Mexico.  I would like to serve UNOLS more than just attend annual meetings, and serving on the Council seems appropriate.

 

Biographical Sketch:

·         Current Professional Position:

2005-present     Executive Director, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium

1997-present     Professor, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium

·         Education: 

B.S., Biology (Minor: Chemistry), Texas A&I University, Kingsville, Texas, 1972

M.S., Biology (Minor: Psychology), Texas A&I University, Kingsville, Texas, 1975

Ph.D., Zoology (Minor: Marine Studies), The University of Texas at Austin, 1983

·         Research Interests: 

-          Biological oceanography-continental shelf ecosystems influenced by large rivers; coastal eutrophication; distribution, dynamics and effects of hypoxia; animal/sediment relationships; pelagic-benthic coupling; land-ocean interactions.

-          Estuarine and benthic ecology; environmental effects of habitat alterations; pollutant effects

-          Integration of science and policy.

  • Seagoing Experience:  Chief Scientist for numerous cruises on research vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, and on the R/V Pelican since 1985, several cruises on the R/V Longhorn from 1976-1979 and 2004, and two cruises on the 250-ft Dong Fang Hong, Ocean University, Qingdao, China in 1986-1987.

·         Professional Service (current, select):

-          American Society of Limnology & Oceanography, Lifetime Achievement Award Committee, 2003-present

-          Gulf Estuarine Research Society - Member-at-Large, 1996-present, President Elect, President, Past President 1997-2002

-          Member, National Research Council, Mississippi River and the Clean Water Act committee, 2005 – present.

-          Member, National Research Council, Committee on the Review of Water and Environmental Systems (WATERS) Network, 2007 – present

-          Member, Board of Directors, GCOOS, Gulf of Mexico Regional Association, 2005 – present

-          Member, Advisory Committee, NSF Environmental Research and Education directorate, 2007 – present

-          Advisor, NOAA National Estuarine Eutrophication Assessment, 2005 to present.

-          Member and Vice Chair, Scientific Steering Committee, LOICZ (Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone) of IGBP, 2004-present.

-          Co-chair and co-organizer, IMBER/LOICZ Continental Margins Task Team and Open Science Meeting, Shanghai, September 2007

  • Awards, Commissions (since 2000):

-          Member, Ocean Research and Resources Advisory Panel, NOPP, 2002-2006.

-          Chair, Ocean Studies Board, National Research Council, 2002-2005, Member 2000-2005

-          Ian Morris Scholar in Residence, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Studies, 2004

-          Outstanding Reviewer, Estuaries, Estuarine Research Federation, 2001-2003

-          Gulf Guardian Award, First Place, Individual, Gulf of Mexico Program, 2003

-          Clean Water Act Hero, One of Thirty to Celebrate the Act’s 30th Anniversary, Clean Water Network, 2002

-          B. K. Ketchum award, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2002

-          National Associate, National Academies of Science, awarded December 2001, lifetime

-     American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow, since 1989

·         Publications:

-          Co-Authored 3 books

-          Authored or co-authored 27 book chapters

-          Over 80 refereed papers

-          23 reports/articles since 2001

·         Additional information about Dr. Rabalais and her research is available at :

<http://www.lumcon.edu/research/faculty.asp?name=nrabalais> and <http://www.gulfhypoxia.net>.

Dr. Christopher I. Measures, University of Hawaii

Statement of Interest:

I have been a seagoing oceanographer since the beginning of my graduate student days.  During the last 32 years I have spent more than 3 years at sea, most of it on UNOLS vessels, but I have also participated in 8 cruises on the vessels of 4 other countries, giving me experience of their operations. 

The existence and maintenance of a well equipped and modern research fleet is of vital importance to all US sea-going oceanographers, as it is the very foundation of the data sets and the hypotheses that drive our entire field. As a member of the GEOTRACES International Science Steering Committee, I plan to continue being an active user and promoter of US research vessels.

I served on the UNOLS Fleet Improvement Committee between 1998 and 2004 and helped draught the reports on the Biennial Review of sea-going oceanographic facilities and the input and replies that this committee produced to the FOFC fleet renewal plans.  As a member of that committee, I also participated in the workshop that helped to define the future needs of the UNOLS fleet.

I have benefited greatly from the availability of the high quality research platforms that UNOLS provides and I think it is vital that sea-going scientists take an active role in supporting and shaping the UNOLS fleet, particularly in times of budget difficulties.

 

Biographical Sketch:

·         Current Position:

-          Professor of Oceanography, July 1996 – Present.  Chair, Department of Oceanography,  July 2001-June 2003

·         Education: 

-          B. Sc. (Honors) in Chemistry, University of Southampton, June 1972

-          M. Sc. in Oceanography, University of Southampton, September 1974

-          Ph.D. in Oceanography, University of Southampton, April 1978

·         Research Interests:  Development and implementation of novel techniques for underway determination of trace elements on board ship using flow injection analysis.   Use of these and other land-based techniques to develop large-scale surface water trace element distributions to identify and quantify dust deposition to the surface oceans and its biogeochemical consequences.   Use of trace elements to identify and trace biogeochemical and physical pathways in the oceans.  Development of a complete understanding of the geochemical cycles of key trace elements by determination of their abundance in other natural materials e.g. rivers, rain, hydrothermal fluids and the aqueous digests of rocks etc. 

  • Seagoing Experience:  Participated in 46 oceanographic cruises since 1974 on board UNOLS, NOAA, and Navy vessels, as well as foreign owned ships.  Research aboard UNOLS vessels have included cruises on Atlantis II, Endeavor, Thompson, Knorr, Moana Wave, T.G. Thompson, Revelle, Melville, Kilo Moana, and diving in Research Submersible Alvin.

·         Memberships

-          American Geophysical Union

-          Geochemical Society

·         Professional Service (recent National and International, select):

-          Organizer, GEOTRACES Pacific Basin Planning Workshop, Honolulu, HI June 26-29, 2007

-          Co-Chair Data Management Sub Committee International GEOTRACES Science Steering Committee December 2006-present)

-          Member of the International Science Steering Committee of  GEOTRACES September 2006-present