2008 UNOLS Council Slate

 

  Elections will be held at the UNOLS Annual meeting on 2 October to fill expiring Council terms.  UNOLS Nominating Committee members Peter Wiebe (Chair), Bob Collier, and Mary Jane Perry 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 12 October 2007.  The slate and information about the candidates can be found below and by clicking each name.

 

CHAIR-ELECT (2 year term) – Individual affiliated with any UNOLS Member Institution

 

Dr. Bruce Corliss, Duke University

 

Dr. Denis Wiesenburg, University of Alaska Fairbanks

 

OPERATOR REPRESENTATIVE (3 year term) – Individual affiliated with any designated UNOLS Member Operator Institution

 

Dr. Kenneth Coale, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

 

Dr. Joseph Resing, University of Washington/PMEL

 

 

AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE (3 year term) – Individual affiliated with any UNOLS Member Institution

 

Dr. Lisa Beal, University of Miami/RSMAS

 

Dr. Douglas Biggs, Texas A & M University

 

Dr. Robert Pinkel, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

 

           

Candidates for Council Chair-Elect Position

 

Dr. Bruce Corliss, Duke University

 

Statement of Interest for Chair-Elect Position:

 

Since its creation in 1971, UNOLS has served as an advisory body to federal agencies dealing with oceanographic research and as a forum for the oceanographic community.  During this time, UNOLS has developed efficient ship scheduling procedures, safety regulations for the fleet, enhanced communications for marine operations and technical services between institutions via the RVOC and RVTEC, and facilitated sharing of pooled equipment.  As a forum for the marine community, UNOLS has been a driving force in bringing new and improved ships into the fleet and improving infrastructural support for marine research and operations.

As we all know, the oceanographic community faces a number of challenges and many of them deal directly with or impact the oceanographic fleet.  Financial support for the fleet has eroded, with high fuel prices and increased operational costs.  At the same time, funding for marine operations and oceanographic research in general has become much tighter, with relatively flat funding in recent years.  Crew recruitment and retention have become critical issues, due in part to the recent revival of U.S. maritime shipping.  As recognized several years ago by the UNOLS Council, the fleet is aging and the replacement of ships needs to proceed in a timely fashion if the U. S. research capability is to be maintained and improved in the coming decades.

            UNOLS has been a strong advocate for the marine community and has been in the forefront in helping to develop plans for the Regional and Ocean Class ship replacements, the Alvin replacement, and construction of the Alaska Region Research Vessel.  These efforts will need to continue to insure that the fleet renewal objectives are met in the near future.  In addition, it is important for UNOLS to be involved in the Ocean Observatories Initiative to insure that suitable ships will be available to support this new program.   As an advisory organization, UNOLS also needs to inform and educate a broad constituency about ocean research and the need for a strong infrastructure.  This educational outreach has begun over the last few years with discussions with various members of Congress and their staff, as well as participation in the newly formed Consortium for Ocean Leadership.  These efforts are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to inform lawmakers of the importance of ships, submersibles, and other infrastructural components and the need for federal funding to advance U. S. ocean science.  With 61 institutions representing 26 states, UNOLS has a broad base upon which to establish an outreach program to individual state governments, as well as to members of Congress.  With growing recognition of the alarming changes in oceanic ecosystem health resulting from climate change and pollution, the time is upon us to aggressively reach out to make a case for oceanographic research and the required infrastructure to support these research activities.

            As a sea-going oceanographer sailing on a number of UNOLS vessels over a 30-year period, I appreciate the needs and concerns of scientists using UNOLS vessels.  My experience in ship operations and management of the R/V Cape Hatteras over the past 7 years, including interactions with federal agencies, as well as my two terms on the UNOLS Council, have given me a perspective on the challenges and issues that operators face in carrying out ship operations.  I believe that my experience in marine operations, and as a sea-going scientist, give me a perspective and background to effectively work with the UNOLS Council and federal agencies to help advance ocean sciences in the coming years.  I look forward to the opportunity to work with the oceanographic community to improve our research capabilities and the infrastructure that supports these important activities.

Biographical Sketch:

 

Professional Experience:

1997-Present     Professor, Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University

2001-Present     Director, Duke/University of North Carolina Oceanographic Consortium

2000-01; 2005   Interim Chair, Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University

1998-2000         Senior Associate Dean, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University

1990-1996         Chairman, Department of Geology, Duke University

1984-1996         Associate Professor (1984-1991) / Professor (1991-96), Department of Geology, Duke University

1979-1984         Assistant Scientist (1979-1983) / Associate Scientist (1983-84), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

 

Education:

Ph.D., 1978, Oceanography, University of Rhode Island

M.S., 1973, Oceanography, University of Rhode Island

B.A., 1971, Geology, University of Vermont

 

Research Interests:  Coastal Environmental Change; Development of Environmental Proxies for Coastal Environments; Benthic Ecology; Ecology, Functional Morphology and Geochemistry of Deep-sea Benthic Foraminifera; Cenozoic Paleoceanography

 

Seagoing Experience:  Since 1972, participated in 23 cruises; 16 as Chief or Co-chief Scientist.  Operations included work in the North and South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Sulu and South China Sea, Southern Oceans, and Norwegian Fjords. 

 

Professional Memberships and Current Service:

American Association for the Advancement of Science

American Geophysical Union

Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research

Geological Society of America

The Oceanography Society

 

Awards/Honors:

Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science

 

Publications:  Author or co-author of 49 publications, 79 abstracts, and 11 other publications.

 

UNOLS Activities:

2002-07      Member, UNOLS Council

2002           Member, Regional Class Steering Committee, UNOLS

 

Website:         <http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/people/faculty/corliss.html>

Dr. Denis Wiesenburg, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks

 

Statement of Interest for Chair-Elect Position:

 

Effective operation of the UNOLS fleet will become increasingly more important at the same time it becomes more costly, as ocean science is at a critical juncture.  Climate is changing and marine ecosystems are beginning to respond to a warmer, more acidic ocean.  New suites of sensors and technologies are emerging that will allow us to better measure, understand and predict the coming changes.  The planned regional and ocean class ships along with the Alvin replacement, autonomous vehicles, and ocean observing systems and other new facilities will all be needed to make the observations necessary to understand these changes.  Our challenge will be to convince the policy makers to allocate the resources necessary to build and operate the needed infrastructure.  These challenges must be confronted by an active scientific community determined to provide the leadership to fully utilize and expand UNOLS capabilities.  While few of the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy have been implemented in an organized way, we are seeing slow progress is some areas, such as the development of ocean observation systems.  More is needed as doubling the investment in ocean research may only allow us to keep pace with the increased cost of operating our infrastructure.  UNOLS must continue to be an important representative of the ocean science community on these issues.

I have been a seagoing oceanographer for most of my career, logging almost a year at sea in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the Mediterranean and Norwegian seas, and the Gulf of Mexico. As one of the principal investigators on a $123 million NSF collaborative agreement with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, I am responsible for the construction and operation of the Alaska Region Research Vessel (ARRV).  As Dean of the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, I have oversight of the Seward Marine Center where the ARRV will be docked.  Therefore, I have the perspective of a ship user, ship operator, and in the near future a ship builder.  My broad experience as an oceanographer and academic administrator will allow me to be a strong advocate for the oceanographic community as UNOLS Chair-Elect.

 

Biographical Sketch:

 

Recent Professional Experience:

2004 - present   Dean and Professor of Marine Science, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks

1998 - 2004       Chair and Professor of Marine Science, Department of Marine Science, The University of Southern Mississippi

1994 – 1998      Director and Associate Professor of Marine Science, Center for Marine Science, The University of Southern Mississippi

 

Education:

Ph.D., 1980, Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University

M.S., 1975, Institute of Oceanography, Old Dominion University

A.B., 1970, Department of Chemistry, Duke University

 

Research Interests:  Nutrient dynamics on continental shelves, processes at ocean frontal boundaries, dissolved gases in seawater, coastal circulation.

 

Seagoing Experience:  Participant in over 40 oceanographic cruises, 11 as Chief Scientist, aboard vessels operated by the University of Rhode Island, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Texas A&M University, the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), the US Navy, and NOAA.  One dive in the DSV Alvin in the Gulf of Mexico and five days in the Navy submersible NR-1.

 

Professional Service and Memberships:

Member, North Pacific Research Board, State of Alaska Academic Representative, 2005 – present.

Member, Governance Committee, Alaska Ocean Observing System, 2004 – present.

Member, Board of Directors, Alaska Sea Life Center, Seward, Alaska, 2004 – present.

Member, Board of Governors of the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (CORE) as the Governor representing the University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2004 – 2007

Member, National Sea Grant Program, Program Assessment Team (PAT) for review of Oregon State University Sea Grant, May 2005

American Geophysical Union member since 1979

Member, American Geophysical Union, Information Technology Committee, 1996 – 2000

The Oceanography Society, Charter, Lifetime member

Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society

 

UNOLS Activities:

1999-2005   Council Member, University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS)

2002-2003   Member, UNOLS Science Mission Requirements Committee, Regional Class Research Vessel, 2002-2003

 

Website:  <http://www.sfos.uaf.edu/about/dean/bio.html>

 

 

Candidates for Council Operator Representative Position

 

Dr. Kenneth Coale, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

 

Statement of Interest:

 

My oceanographic interest has been in the area of trace element biogeochemistry, nutrient and carbon cycling, benthic fluxes and hydrothermal systems.  All of these interests cross disciplinary boundaries and all of the cruises on which I have participated have been multidisciplinary in nature.  Over the last 30 years, I have served as marine technician, graduate student, team leader and chief scientist on the R/Vs Oconostota, Acania, Cayuse, Wecoma, T. G. Thompson, Pt. Sur, Sea Watch, Tyro, Sproul, Columbus Iselin, New Horizon, Melville, Revelle, Nathaniel B. Palmer, and numerous smaller vessels. These operations range from single small vessel studies, to large multi-ship operations, utilizing extensive shared use equipment and a wide suite of over-the-side operations.  For the last 10 years I have been Director of the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML), the graduate program in marine sciences and research facilities serving seven California State University Campuses.  MLML is a UNOLS operating institution and has been host to the UNOLS office for the last 8 years.

Although I fully embrace the development and deployment of autonomous observing platforms and moored sensor arrays, and the invaluable perspective these systems provide, I believe there will never be a substitute for bringing students, scientists and teachers to sea, to the frontiers of marine research. The development of new equipment, recovery of samples and the real-time discovery enabled by the UNOLS fleet is essential to the advancement of marine science, a field that is of critical and accelerating societal relevance with the advancement of climate change.  I would like to help insure that the appropriate, efficient, well staffed, well equipped and maintained platforms are available for scientists and educators now and into the future.

 

Biographical Sketch:

 

Recent Professional Experience:

2001 – present  Director, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA.

1998 – 2001      Acting Director, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA.

1992 – 1998      Adjunct Professor, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA.

1991 – 1994      Chemical Hygiene Officer, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA.

1991 – 1992      Senior Research Associate, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA.

 

Education:

Ph.D., 1988, Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA

B.A., 1977, Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA

 

Research Interests:  a) Trace element biogeochemistry in the California Current and North and South Pacific Oceans.  b) The use of naturally occurring U/Th series radionuclides in the study of biologically mediated chemical scavenging, removal and recycling processes. c) 226Ra:210Pb disequilibria and bomb radiocarbon to date rockfish, corals, mollusks, and sediments.  d) Trace metal speciation and the effect of metal speciation on trace metal limitation of phytoplankton productivity in open ocean and coastal systems. e) The distribution and cycling of trace metals in lacustrine systems. f) Trace metal cycling and removal in hydrothermal plumes. g) The role of continental margins in supplying trace metals to the ocean's interior. h) Development of analytical methods for the determination of trace metals in seawater. i) Processes controlling mercury flux through fresh water and estuarine systems.

 

Participation in Oceanographic Cruises:  Participant in 50 oceanographic cruises; 17 as Chief or Co-Chief Scientist.  Cruises included operations aboard many UNOLS and non-UNOLS vessels.  Field operations have included work in the North Pacific, Equatorial Pacific, and Southern Ocean/Ross Sea, North Sea, Subarctic Pacific, San Francisco Bay-Delta Complex, and freshwater lakes.

 

Professional Memberships:

American Geophysical Union, 1982

American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, 1983

International Humic Substances Society, 1983

Oceanography Society, 1988

American Chemical Society, 1991

American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1999

California Academy of Science (Fellow), 2002

 

Honors:

Appointed Fellow of the California Academy of Science, 2002

 

Publications:  Author or co-author of over 100 abstracts and invited presentations, 94 papers, and 8 articles.

 

Website: <http://www.mlml.calstate.edu/pg/Faculty-Info-Kenneth-H-Coale/>

 

Dr. Joseph Resing, University of Washington/PMEL

 

Statement of Interest:

 

My name is Joseph Resing. I work for a Joint Institute that exists between the NOAA-Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory and the University of Washington. I am also an affiliate faculty at the UW Oceanography Department. Within this merger of federal and state entities, I have a unique perspective on how things work across NOAA and how they work across NSF and the University environment. I have been to sea many times and for many days. I am currently on the NSF R2K steering committee (Expires Fall 2008) and on the NSF-MGG-Data Systems Advisory Committee.

I have been going to sea for 20 years now and I must say that the state of the ships has improved in a most visible manner. The crews are harder working, happier, and far more accommodating than when I started going to sea. This must be a testament of the efforts of UNOLS, the UNOLS council, and the host institutions. That said, however I think that there are still improvements to be made. I have a variety of reasons for wanting to be on the UNOLS council. These reasons include ship scheduling, ship comfort, and ship design. However, first and foremost I would like to see that our major oceanographic assets are used to the best of their abilities to serve science and not their host institutions, per se.

My primary motivator, however is ship scheduling and the carbon footprint of the oceanographic fleet. Having watched the scheduling dance over the last several years, I worry that schedules are made to please the host institutions without regard to the carbon foot print of the fleet or the needs of the scientists.

It is my belief that we need to start scheduling ships for global oceanographic projects 18 months or more in advance of those projects and that we need to better link together projects in geographical regions. Obviously there are a lot of factors that go into scheduling, and the flexibility to slip schedules by several weeks with in the upcoming year’s time frame is important. However, at the moment ships are making major transits across ocean basins to accommodate single cruises. You can examine the schedules of any of the major ships over the last several years and you will see this to be true. For example, if you look at the Knorr’s 2007 schedule it transits back and forth and up and down the Atlantic resulting in four transits longer than 10 days and more than 70 days of transit within that year’s schedule (>30% of science). Given the relatively large amount of fuel consumed and CO2 produced combined with the price of fuel, this mode of science is soon to be obsolete, and it should be because it does not display responsible use of resources nor proper stewardship of the environment. In addition, on lengthy expensive cruises, the most efficient and best science are more likely to be accomplished when scientists spend at least a year in preparation for such cruises. At the moment, schedules aren’t settled. Not within a year, and not even within 6 months!!

Not only do I think that we can do better, I think that we must. I am willing to be part of the process.

Thank you for your consideration,

Joseph Resing

 

Biographical Sketch:

 

Recent Profession Experience:

2001-present     Affiliate Assistant Professor, Department of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle.

1999-present     Research Scientist, Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean, University of Washington and the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), Seattle, Washington.

1997-1999         National Research Council Post-Doctoral Fellow. National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration, PMEL, Seattle, Washington.

1988-1996         University of Hawaii at Manoa, Research Assistant, Department of Oceanography.

 

Education:

Ph.D., 1997, Chemical Oceanography, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii.

M.S., 1992, Chemical Oceanography, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii.

B.S., 1986, Chemistry, DePaul University, Chicago Illinois.

 

Research Interests:  Primary area of research is on the distributions and chemical characteristics of submarine hydrothermal vents and how they relate to the geophysical settings in which they reside. The setting of these systems has important implications on the geochemical mass-balances for a variety elements in the oceans. The proximity of many submarine arc volcanoes to the oceans surface has important implications for the delivery of micro- and macro-nutrients to the photic zone.

 

Seagoing Experience:  Over 500 days at sea on various research ships including R/V Polar Duke, NOAA ships, and UNOLS vessels.  Research work on UNOLS vessels has included operations aboard Kilo Moana, Melville, Thompson, Wecoma, New Horizon, and Atlantis II with the submersible Alvin.

 

Professional Memberships and Service:

American Geophysical Union

Advisory Committee, NSF-Marine Geology and Geochemistry Data Systems (2007-2010)

Steering Committee, NSF-Ridge 2000 (2006-2009)

Session co-chair Fall 2006 AGU Meeting: “Recent Deep-Sea Eruptions” (2006)

Convener: 2002 Ocean Sciences Meeting: “Chemical Oceanography: Metals” (2002)

Vice President, Oceanography student association, University of Hawaii (UH) (1995)

Student-Faculty Representative, Dept. of Oceanography, UH. (1992)

President, Oceanography student association (1991)

 

Publications:  Author or co-author of 44 publications in peer reviewed journals and over 80 abstracts, titles, and presentations.

 

Candidates for Council At-Large Position

 

Dr. Lisa Beal, University of Miami

 

Statement of Interest:

As an observational physical oceanographer I am a regular user of UNOLS vessels, having participated in twelve scientific cruises, with a total of 261 days at sea, since becoming a graduate student in the field. Of those days, 89 have been as Chief or Co-chief Scientist. I have experience aboard a number of different UNOLS vessels (Knorr, Melville, Seward Johnson), and have participated in several cruises on a NOAA vessel, a British vessel, and one on a South African vessel. In my research I collect and study velocity measurements from Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP), both vessel-mounted and lowered, as well as CTDO2 and moored current meter and microcat (temperature, salinity, pressure) measurements. In 2004 I chaired a review panel of the Shipboard Technical Services (STS) at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

My interest in the UNOLS Council is to participate and contribute towards savvy stewardship of the UNOLS fleet in a time of increasing unmanned observations and funding pressures. As a young(ish) scientist I am still very much looking forward in my career, and research vessels are a central resource to my science. The particular strengths of research vessels over other, less expensive, measurement techniques will need to be highlighted and prioritized when moving forward to modernize the fleet. I believe some of those strengths, for the realm of physical oceanography, lie in measurements in regions of intense currents, such as the Southern Ocean and western boundary currents, targeted and repeatable measurement capability (in time and space), and measurement of multiple parameters (can carry many scientists and their instrumentation). I am concerned about sustaining the fleet and about maintaining and developing the capabilities that will best serve the next generation of oceanographers.

 

Biographical Sketch:

 

Recent Professional Experience:

2008-present     Assistant Professor, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami

2002-2008         Research Assistant Professor, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami

1999-2002         Postgraduate Research Oceanographer, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD

1997-1999         Postdoctoral Research Associate, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, CU

1995-1996         Teaching Assistant, Oceanography Dept., University of Southampton, U.K.

 

Education:

Ph.D., 1997, Oceanography, Southampton Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, U.K.

B.Sc., 1993, 1st Class Hons., Physics with Oceanography, University of Southampton, U.K.

 

Research Interests:  Monitoring western boundary current (WBC) variability through scientific programs and ships of opportunity, as a component of the world ocean observing system. Understanding the physical processes of the Agulhas Current System, its fluxes and water masses and their wider impact. Velocity and vorticity structure of WBC's, and their volume, heat, and freshwater transports. Using Lowered ADCP data to enhance hydrographic data sets, particularly in intense boundary currents. The role of Red Sea Water in the global thermohaline circulation. Estimates and measurements of basin-scale horizontal and overturning circulations. The nature of cross-frontal intrusions and their impact on mixing.

 

Seagoing Experience:  Over 250 days at sea on 12 research cruises; 6 cruises as Chief or Co-Chief Scientist.  Ships have included NOAA, foreign vessels and UNOLS ships.  Research work aboard UNOLS vessels have included operations from Seward Johnson, Knorr, and Melville.

 

Professional Memberships and Recent Service:

  • American Geophysical Union
  • Organization of discussion panel \Climate Change Projections: Communicating uncertainty without losing the message," RSMAS (May 2008).
  • Creation and presentation of an Oceanography Workshop for An exciting look into the world of Marine Science for 6th and 7th grade girls, a day-long workshop presented by RSMAS and the AAUW and held annually (2003 – present).
  • Session Co-convener for “Oceanic and Meteorological Measurements from Voluntary Observing Ships and other Platforms of Opportunity", Ocean Sciences 2008, Orlando (March 2008)

 

Awards:

  • John Raymont Prize for Outstanding Achievement within the School of Oceanography, University of Southampton, UK.
  • Commendation for Best Student Presentation, UK Oceanography '96, Bangor, UK

 

Publications:  Author or co-author of over 50 publications and invited talks (including 19 refereed publications)

 

Website: <http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/divs/mpo/People/Faculty/Beal/>

 

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:

 

Current Position:  Professor, Department of Oceanography, TAMU, since 1996.

 

Education: 

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

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

 

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.

 

Professional Memberships:

The Oceanography Society

American Geophysical Union

American Society of Limnology and Oceanography

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Marine Technology Society

Sigma Xi

Phi Beta Kappa

 

Publications:  First or co-author of 60 publications in refereed journals or books and 50+ published abstracts; for recent publications see:

 

Website:  <http://oceanography.tamu.edu/Directory/Faculty/Bio/biggs.html>

 

 

Dr. Robert Pinkel, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

 

Statement of Interest:

 

Ideally, the growth and replacement of the US oceanographic fleet should proceed in a rational, orderly manner. However, history reveals a strong stochastic element to this process.  Our fleet will always be of a mix of platforms of varying genesis, age, and specialization.  UNOLS is challenged to support the present generation of scientists and to nurture the coming generation in an era of “steady-state transition”. 

While the possible reduction in global, general-purpose, capability is daunting, there are also opportunities to broaden the user-base of our newer, more specialized vessels.  For example, exciting physical oceanography can be done using ALVIN, a variety of ROVs’, or the LANGSETH.  Working with agency sponsors, UNOLS is can advertise and market mainstream applications of our specialized resources.  “Dual use” operation can, in part, offset coming shortfalls in general purpose global capability.

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.

UNOLS operates within a complex web of agency, scientific and fiscal constraints.  The learning curve is steep.  As a second-term, at-large representative, I hope to apply lessons learned to better serve the community.

Biographical Sketch: