2005 UNOLS Council Slate

Elections will be held at the UNOLS Annual Meeting on 14 October to fill expiring Council terms. UNOLS Nominating Committee members Bruce Corliss (Chair), Eileen Hofmann, and Denis Wiesenburg 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. Additional information about the candidates can be found by clicking on his or her name below in the Statement of Interest section.

A copy of the slate can be downloaded as a pdf at <slate05.pdf>

UNOLS COUNCIL SLATE- 2005

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

Dr John Diebold – Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

 

Dr. Peter Ortner - University of Miami/Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories

 

Dr. Brian Taylor – University of Hawaii

 

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

 

Dr. John Farrell – University of Rhode Island

 

Dr. Robert Pinkel– Scripps Institution of Oceanography

 

Dr. Joseph Torres – University of South Florida

 

                       


Candidates Statements of Interest and Biographical Sketches

Candidates for the Operator Representative Position

Dr. John Diebold – Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

 

Statement of Interest:

I hope to have the opportunity to help support the UNOLS community during the increasingly difficult but interesting times we are beginning to experience. I am a team player, and have served in many roles aboard many research ships over the past 38 years. Those roles have included technical support, scientific research, data processing and administration. I am sure that this broad range of experience can be put to use as a member of the UNOLS council.

 

Biographical Sketch:

·         Membership in Professional Societies:  Marine Technology Society, American Geophysical Union, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Sigma Xi, Phi Beta Kappa

·         Memberships on Boards; Activities:

-          August 1, 1998 – July ‘02 Chairman, JOIDES Site Survey Panel

-          June, 1996 – June, ‘98 ODP-Antarctic Drilling Detailed Planning Group

-          May, 1996 – Jan., 2000 Science Oversight Panel; AMNH Hall of Planet Earth

-          July, 1995 – July ‘02 Member JOIDES Site Survey Panel

-          Jan., 1994 - Jan., ’98 Vice Chairman Shipboard Science and Planning Committee

-          1992 - 1994 Member GEOLOGY Editorial Board

-          March 1993 – July '93 Co-Chairman Research Vessel Planning Committee

·         First or co-author of 45 publications in refereed journals, 100+ published abstracts

·         Research Vessel Experience, 1967 - 2005:  Technician – 24 Cruises, Scientist – 31 Cruises, Chief or Co-Chief Scientist – 20 Cruises.

 

Dr. Peter Ortner - University of Miami/Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories

 

Statement of Interest:

I have served UNOLS as a Council member these past three years.  I was honored to have been elected and have endeavored to serve the Council in every way I could.   From this perspective it is apparent to me, that the coming years represent a particularly challenging period for the oceanographic community and the university fleet.  We hope to initiate a major and much needed fleet replacement.  At the same time, the Navy has compelling and conflicting priorities and the National Science Foundation budget is under tremendous pressures that are already affecting ship scheduling. The icebreakers on which our polar programs depend require expensive refits with new machinery yet the USCG directing all its resources towards homeland security.  Seismic and sonar sound sources are being blamed for marine mammal beachings.  The radio frequency spectrum reserved required for planned oceanographic applications is rapidly being auctioned off. Ambitious ocean observatory and ocean observing systems are being planned the installation and maintenance of would stress the capacities of even a markedly enlarged research fleet.  To these and other issues I bring thirty years of experience as an interdisciplinary seagoing oceanographer and major user of UNOLS and federal government vessels as well as my three prior “learning” years on the Council.

           

Biographical Sketch:

·         Ph.D., 1978, Biological Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

·         1992 J.D., 1992, Environmental Law, University of Miami School of Law

·         Chief Scientist, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory

·         Adjunct Full Professor and Member Graduate Faculty, University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Marine Biology and Fisheries

·         University of Miami, School of Law, Adjunct Faculty 1994-present

·         Research Interests - Trophic relationships in marine plankton communities; phytoplankton physiology, nutrient uptake and trace metal interactions; zooplankton biochemistry; fisheries oceanography, marine sources of biogenic volatiles; zooplankton sampling technology particularly optical and acoustic; physical regulation of biological systems; ecosystem restoration science and policy; coastal zone and fisheries management science and policy.

·         Special Programs Director, Division of Ocean Sciences, National Science Foundation (1987-1988)

·         Present Chair RSMAS Ship Operations Subcommittee, member from 1994

·         Sea Going Experience (1971-present) - Participant in over eighty research cruises aboard UNOLS and NOAA vessels.  Chief Scientist on more than thirty cruises.

·         UNOLS Council Operator Institution Representative (2002-2005)

  

Dr. Brian Taylor -School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology, University of Hawaii

 

Statement of Interest

The infrastructure of US oceanography is undergoing substantial change. The conversion of the R/V Marcus Langseth is underway; new regional and ocean class ships are proposed, as is a DSRV Alvin replacement. The mix of autonomous vehicles, and access to buoyed and cabled observatories, is growing. ORION is in its formative stages. At the same time as the report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy advocates expansion of the ocean research enterprise, there are immediate pressures on facilities budgets from increasing fuel and security costs, and continuing concerns for maintaining the expertise of marine personnel. UNOLS is an important representative of the ocean science community as we navigate this changing environment and better position ourselves to respond to the needs of the future.

I remain an active sea-going scientist, having averaged one month per year at sea since 1977. I also oversee ship operations and marine technicians at one of UNOLS’ founding institutions. UH/SOEST operates both UNOLS (R/V Kilo Moana 186’x88’ SWATH; HMR1 and IMI-30 towed sonars) and non-UNOLS marine facilities (223’ R/V Ka’imikai-O-Kanaloa, 2 Pisces 2000m submarines, 57’ R/V Klaus Wyrtki). Therefore I have the perspective of a ship-user as well as of a ship operator within and outside UNOLS. I was also heavily involved in all the science mission aspects of the design, construction and outfitting of R/V Kilo Moana. I offer this experience to serve as a member of the UNOLS Council.

 

Biographical Sketch - Brian Taylor

·         Ph.D., 1982, Fulbright Scholar at Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University in Marine Geology and Geophysics;

·         B.Sc.Hons.(1st), 1976, University of Sydney in Geology and Geophysics.

·         Acting Associate Dean of Research, SOEST, University of Hawaii

·         Professor, Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Hawaii

·         Research foci: geomorphology, structure, stratigraphy, magmatism, and tectonics of rifted margins, trench-forearcs, volcanic arcs and back-arc basins, Hawaii.

·         Joint Oceanographic Institutions Board of Governors EXCOM member

·         Lead Proponent (2001) for the RIDGE Integrated Studies Site in the Lau backarc basin        

·         Chairman, MARGINS Program 1997-2000

·         JOIDES Planning Committee member 1991-1995.

·         American Geophysical Union member since 1977; SEG member 1974-1982.

·         Research tools: MCS, multibeam bathymetry, surface- & deep-towed sonars/ROVs, magnetics, gravity,  heat flow, Alvin & Shinkai 6500 dives, drilling, dredging, coring, bottom photography, OBS/H. (Auxiliary tools: ADCP, CTD tow-yo, MAPR, VISA).

·         >30 MGG cruises, 26 as chief/co-chief scientist (Vema, Kana Keoki, Moana Wave, Atlantis II, Fred Moore, JOIDES Resolution, Sonne, Maurice Ewing, Yokosuka, KOK, Kilo Moana)

·         UNOLS rep for SOEST since 1993; oversee SOEST Ship Ops & Marine Techs

 

Candidates for the At-Large Representative Position

 

Dr. John Farrell – University of Rhode Island

 

Statement of Interest:

My interest in serving on the Council is to assist with fleet renewal and improvement activities and issues. URI/GSO has been a successful UNOLS operator and as Associate Dean of Research and Administration at this institution, my responsibilities include both marine operations as well as oceanographic research. Specifically, I’m interested in representing the US scientific oceanographic community on the many issues before us, which include, but are not limited to, permitting issues (marine mammal and acoustic), ensuring proper infrastructure (logistical and operational support) for major ocean observatory initiatives (e.g., ORION), icebreakers, and fleet renewal in light of limited resources. I’d like to help the Council provide advice and guidance to the sponsors such that they may continue to support a vital program of research and education in the ocean sciences.

The experience I would bring to the committee is rooted in 20 years of professional experience as an oceanographer (marine geologist by training), including a total of 8 months at sea on traditional vessels (R/V Robert Conrad) as well as drill ships (JOIDES Resolution), and Arctic class icebreakers (diesel electric Oden, Vidar Viking, and nuclear Sovietsky Soyuz).

I also bring program management experience in that I worked for 9 years at Joint Oceanographic Institutions, Inc. as a director in the Ocean Drilling Program and the US Science Support Program. This provided an understanding of the Federal planning and budgetary process as well as an appreciation of domestic and international marine geology research activities and their management.

To be candid, I’m not deeply steeped in UNOLS as I am in other ocean science activities, but I have frequently been on the edges of UNOLS for a long time, such as serving on Lamont’s Steering Committee for the R/V Maurice Ewing midlife refit, which ultimately led to the purchase of their replacement vessel. Given my current position and responsibilities, I’ve been learning a lot from people like Dave Hebert (FIC Chair), marine superintendents Jack Bash and Bill Hahn, former Council members Tom Rossby and Roger Larson and colleagues in UNOLS that were also affiliated with scientific ocean drilling (Patty Fryer, Margo Edwards, John Diebold, and Debbie Kelley, among others) and I would look forward to learning more while providing a perspective that might be considered novel. I understand large science programs, appreciate their cultures, interactions with sponsors, and so on. As such, I think I can make a contribution.

Thanks for your consideration.

Biographical Sketch:

·         1991, Ph.D., Brown University, Geology

·         1986, M.Sc., Brown University, Geology

·         1983, B.A., Franklin & Marshall College, Geology  •Honors: Geology Award Recipient

·         Associate Dean of Research & Admin., Grad. School of Oceanography, URI – 3/05 to present.

·         Assistant Dean, Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island - 3/04-3/05.

·         Director and Co-PI, US Science Support Program (NSF) - 1/98-3/04.

·         Associate Program Director, Ocean Drilling Program (NSF & intl’ partners) - 1/98-3/04

·         JOI Management Representative, Intl’ Working Group Support Office - 11/99-3/04

·         Research Interests - Quantitative Cenozoic oceanography and climatology, biogeochemistry, Sr, C, O, and N cycling.

·         Professional Affiliations: - Geological Society of America, American Geophysical Union, Sigma Xi, Geological Society of Washington, National Press Club, GSO Friends of Oceanography, Marine Technology Society

·         Service to the Profession:

-          Alternate Governor on Boards of JOI Inc. and IODP Management International Inc. (2004-)

-          Member, Evaluation Panel to ECORD interim council on European Management Agency (2002-2003)

-          Member, Steering Committee of R/V Maurice Ewing midlife refit (Columbia U.) (2002-2003)

-          Member, NSF’s Earth System History Steering Committee (2001-2002)

-          Member, Editorial Review Board of Iranian National Center for Oceanography (1998-)

-          Nominated Officer for AGU’s Secretary, Marine Geology & Geophysics (1998-2000)

-          Member, Editorial Review Board of Geology (1995-1998)

-          Member, AGU Paleoceanography & Paleoclimatology Committee (1994-1998)

·         Refereed publications (30 peer-reviewed papers 10 representative)

·         A total of 8 months at sea over the course of 20 years on traditional vessels (R/V Robert Conrad) as well as drill ships (JOIDES Resolution), and Arctic class icebreakers (diesel electric Oden, Vidar Viking, and nuclear Sovietsky Soyuz).

 
Dr. Robert Pinkel – Scripps Institution of Oceanography

 

Statement of Interest:

My scientific interest is in the transfer of energy from large to micro (turbulent) scales in the sea.  To progress it has been necessary to develop specialized tools, to use specialized platforms, and to use conventional platforms in non-conventional operating modes. 

 

In the course of this effort, I've developed an appreciation of the breadth of capabilities of our research fleet.  We are challenged to maintain and expand these capabilities in an era of aging ships and tight funding.  This challenge is manifested in the effort to renew the UNOLS Fleet and to recruit and maintain the highest quality seagoing personnel.

 

There is a parallel challenge, not widely appreciated, to “renew” the national cadre of seagoing scientists. To an increasing extent, it is the senior members of our community who have the motivation and can raise the funds to support research at sea. Younger investigators find it more productive, in the short term, to work with previously collected or synthetic data (model output). Yet seagoing skills, like math and music, are best acquired when one is young. UNOLS must work with the federal sponsors and its member institutions to maximize the exposure of young scientists to state-of-the-art marine research practice.

 

In terms of experience, I have participated in numerous research cruises on UNOLS vessels, on the R.P. FLIP, and in arctic ice-camps. In 1992-4, I chaired the SOONS (Scientific Opportunities on Nuclear Submarines) sub-committee of the UNOLS Fleet Improvement Committee. The report that was produced contributed, in some measure, to the eventual creation of the SCICEX series of Arctic scientific cruises on 637- Class submarines. From 1999-2004, I served as Chair of the SIO Marine Operations Committee, the group of researchers that oversees Scripps marine operations. Through participation on the UNOLS Council, I hope to continue to contribute to the preservation and expansion of our marine capabilities.

 

Biographical Sketch:

-          Applied Ocean Science Group Curricular Coordinator, SIO

-          Marine Operations Committee, SIO, Chair 1999-2004

-          International Association of Acoustic Remote Sensing, Founding Member

-          U.S. Representative to the Board of Governors of the Association Acoustical Society of America, Committee on Underwater Acoustics

-          Scientific Opportunities of Nuclear Submarines (SOONS); Subcommittee of the UNOLS Fleet Improvement Committee, Chair

-          Hawaii Ocean Mixing Experiment, Program Coordinator 1997-present

-          Global Ocean Mixing, Co-convener, Ocean Sciences Meeting, 2002-4

 
Dr. Joseph Torres – University of South Florida

 

Statement of Interest:

My primary research interests are in elucidating the influences of temperature and oxygen on the ecology and physiology of pelagic fauna.  I work with species ranging in size from small copepods to intermediate-sized fishes, that is, the zooplankton, macrozooplankton, and micronekton.  Because the creatures I study are found largely in blue water, I have been going to sea regularly (multiple cruises per year) since I began my graduate work in 1972.

As a long-time user of UNOLS vessels, Antarctic research vessels, our local Florida state research vessels, and when particularly fortunate, of submersibles (see list in CV).  I’ve experienced a reasonable cross-section of research vessel types, small and large, good and bad, each of them with its own particular soul.  Since I do physiological measurements at sea I also have first-hand experience with the labs on all the vessels I’ve been to sea on, and more to the point, the quality of the electrical power on them.

The gear types that I deploy are mainly scientific trawls (MOC-10, Tucker trawls) with an occasional balloon trawl for bottom work.  However, I also have direct experience in deploying a moored respirometry array and in the design of gear for bringing individuals back alive from mesopelagic depths.  I was a pilot and participant in cruises during the 1980's that used the WASP atmospheric diving suit and Deep Rover (Bruce Robison - PI), and in the mid 1990's, Drs. Tom Bailey, Marsh Youngbluth and I used the Sea Link submersibles to examine metabolism in deep-living jellies.  For physiological studies on shallower gelatinous species and on ice-associated species, I have used blue water diving for animal collection. 

Besides my experience with stand-alone programs I have been active in multi-disciplinary efforts beginning in 1983 (cruises also in 1986 and 1988) with the AMERIEZ program (Antarctic Marine Ecosystem Research in the Ice Edge Zone) and continued more recently with the APIS (Antarctic Pack Ice Seals) program in 1999-2000 and Southern Ocean GLOBEC in 2001 and 2002.  The Southern Ocean GLOBEC field program used two vessels working in tandem to sample waters of the Antarctic Peninsula Shelf in a series of four field seasons, two each in the austral fall and winter.  The sampling strategy employed was to have one vessel, the 308 foot Nathaniel B. Palmer, “mow the lawn” on a survey defined by our SO GLOBEC steering committee (and led by Peter Wiebe), while the other vessel, the 240 foot Laurence M. Gould, occupied pre-determined sites within the survey grid for process work.  I was chief scientist on both of the fall process cruises, and with Peter Wiebe, and our chair Eileen Hofmann, I serve on the SO GLOBEC steering committee. 

I am sure it is a particularly trying time for the UNOLS council in deciding how to allocate resources when facing rising fuel costs and flat-line funding.  I think that my seagoing experience gives me a good background for helping in council deliberations on a variety of topics ranging from ship design to the role of ships in 21st century oceanography.  For me, a large part of oceanography is embodied in the vessels that allow us sample the oceans and I would welcome the chance to serve and protect our fleet as part of the UNOLS council.

 

Biographical Sketch: