The Ocean
The Ocean is not just the vast waters that cover much of this planet, but is the genesis of all life, and what allows life to continue. Most of the water that covers over seventy percent of the earth's surface likely came here from space. Wherever you live the Ocean is affecting you and was at one time likely at the bottom of the ocean, The atmosphere, the rains, the firmament are all one complex system and most of what we know about the Ocean is from data gathered by satellite , and in-water sensors. Having lived near the Ocean most of my life (whether in New York, California or Massachusetts), and having a marine biologist as a father who extensively involved me in his studies when I was a child, it's not surprising that the Ocean figures prominently in my life and career.
COSEE OCEAN
Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) is a network of education initiatives sponsored by the National Science Foundation. It funded a Center led by UMass Boston called Ocean Communities in Education And social Networks (COSEE OCEAN). COSEE OCEAN was a partnership among UMass Boston, The New York Hall of Science, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, and Boston Public Schools. As a collaborating Principal Investigator, my role was to organize and coauthor a report on the state of ocean science education, work with evaluators to analyze the social network of the New England Ocean Science Education Collaborative, and develop ocean science outreach efforts in New York City. The COSEE OCEAN InquIry Group Report: Opportunities for Creating Lifelong Ocean Science Literacy, is also available in the publications page. COSEE OCEAN Participated in the World Maker Faire, which was hosted by the New York Hall of Science. We then went on to conceptualize, develop and co-sponsor the Submerge Festival in Hudson River Park for a number of years and develop a design for the Hudson River Estuarium.​ View the COSEE Project.
The Challenger
In celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the voyage of the Challenger, I collaborated with Woods Hole Institute and the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), in curating an exhibition of the work of Ernst Hacekel and images from the Center for Innovation in Imaging and Image Analysis at MBL. It provided gallery visitors the rare opportunity to compare the same or similar species resulting from the state-of-the-art rendering processes from then and now. See the section on Art and Architecture for more information. Subsequently, Through the Woods Hole Institute and in collaboration with the Scottish Association for Marine Science, The University of Illinois, and the College of Exploration organized and hosted an online talk and discussion with Nipam Patel from the University of Chicago Marine Biological Laboratory on the intersection of Art and Science. This was part of a series on the data gathered through the Challenger expedition. See Conversation #6: Art and Data Visualisation.
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Massachusetts Coastal Community Network
A program sponsored by the Woods Hole Institute to bring together those who live, work, do research,​do business​, govern, recreate, relax, teach and learn in the coastal areas of Massachusetts in order to improve understanding of the threats facing our communities due to climate change, and seek solutions to adapt to these challenges. Our network is diverse and inclusive, reflecting the people who first occupied these areas, as well as more recent newcomers.Click here for more information.​​
​Salonga Wetlands Advocacy Network
A non-profit organization to advocate for and actively work to improve the quality and stability of the Fresh Pond watershed in the Village of Northport, New York. Serving as trustee and active member of the organization to strategize about major initiatives to improve the water quality, wildlife and quality of life for the community. Focus on building community understanding, support, and fundraising to reconstruct the dam, tailwater pool and flow into Long Island Sound to allow migratory river herring to return to the pond to spawn.​​
​Hudson River Park Estuarine
Sanctuary
This 400 Acre estuarine sanctuary provides critical habitat to over 85 species of fish, including seahorses, eels and striped bass, and is a vital migration corridor for birds and other wildlife. The mixing of fresh and salt water creates a dynamic, nutrient-rich ecosystem with high biodiversity. Work with the Hudson River Park Trust and New York Department of Environmental Conservation is enlightening the citizens of New York City about the importance of the Hudson River Estuary to the region and bringing together outreach efforts of many of the regional conservation and marine science research organizations to connect with New York City residents. Projects include the development and support for the annual SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival, which includes wildlife demonstrations, performances, experiments, talks, fishing and food to help residents understand New York City’s relationship to the sea.This initiative also provided support for the development of the Hudson River Estuarium on Pier 26: in collaboration with Clarkson University, the Hudson River Park Trust and the Hudson River Sloop-Clearwater. It resulted in a comprehensive design and operational plan for the City’s only science center devoted to estuary science to improve the understanding of the estuarine habitats of New York City, their importance and influence on living systems. The construction site is located adjacent to Pier 26 in the Tribeca neighborhood. Renderings shown here are conceptual only.
