February 9-16, 2001 vol. 38 no. 6

Calendar

Friday, February 9

MARINE BIOLOGY SEMINAR - Christopher Wills, UCSD, will present "The Role of Microsatellite DNA Repeats in Genome Evolution" in 4500 Hubbs Hall at 12 noon.

DOCTORAL DISSERTATION DEFENSE - Richard Long will defend his doctoral dissertation entitled "Bacteria-bacteria Antagonism on Marine Organic Particles and its Biogeochemical Implications" in 4500 Hubbs Hall at 3 p.m. The public is invited. (Tanya Levi, tlevi@ucsd.edu)

Tuesday, February 13

MOC MEETING - The Marine Operations Committee meeting will be held at 1330 in the 114 Scripps Building. (Kathy Sholan, x42840)

DIVE MEETING - All certified Scripps research divers are requested to attend an important meeting at 11:30 a.m. in Sumner Auditorium. There are several new policies and procedures which are being considered within the research diving community, among which are physical exams, dive plans, maintenance of certification, DAN insurance, etc. Additionally there will be an introduction of Diving Control Board members with an overview of their responsibilities, a review of the recent diving-related accident, where we stand with Federal OSHA and how we got there, new equipment, and other related topics. Other interested parties are free to attend. (Wayne Pawelek, x42002)

SCIENCE MATTERS - Christopher Wills, UCSD Division of Biology, will present "The Evolutionary History of the Human Species" in 2130 Bonner Hall on the UCSD campus at 12 noon. Science Matters is a new series of lunch-time presentations, designed to make science content more accessible and more useful, to a wider audience. It is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Paul Saltman and his commitment to sharing the excitement of scientific discovery with the community. (Hilari Ford, x46164)

CRD SEMINAR - Steve Brenner, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, will present "Circulation of The Eastern Mediterranean Sea: 15 Years of Intensive Study and the Prospects for Operational Forecasting" in 101 Nierenberg Hall at 3:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served at 3:15 p.m. The seminar is sponsored by the Climate Research Division. (Carolyn Baxter, x46584)

Wednesday, February 14

ECOLOGY LUNCHEON SEMINAR - Steve Murray, Cal State Fullerton, will present a title to be announced in 4500 Hubbs Hall at 12:15 p.m. (Chris Janousek, cjanouse@ucsd.edu)

Friday, February 16

MARINE BIOLOGY SEMINAR - Robert Zeller, SDSU, will present "The Development of the Ascidian Notochord -- Evolutionary Implications" in 4500 Hubbs Hall at 12 noon.

REGNER RETIRES - What? No more Ed Renger? Today's his last day, so join us at the Martin Johnson House between 1500-1800 and help us give him the rowdy send off that he SO deserves. Keep those cards & letters (and photos & jokes!) coming! Contact Sherry Cummings (x46780), or Jim Wilkinson or Dave Wohlgast (both x20674).

Notices

NATIONAL OCEAN SCIENCES BOWL AT SIO - This Saturday, February 10, nine teams from local high schools will convene at Scripps for Surf Bowl 2001, the one-day regional ocean science competition for the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB). Students will test their marine science knowledge with rapid-fire questions on biology, chemistry, geology, technology, social sciences, and geography. The NOSB is an educational program developed to stimulate high school students' interest in ocean sciences and broaden public understanding of the value of ocean research. This competition also provides students who excel in math and science the opportunity to receive national recognition for their academic excellence and hard work. Scripps is one of 19 regional competition sites around the country. In preparation for the competition., participating students visited Scripps oceanographic research laboratories, attended lectures by Scripps scientists, and toured behind-the-scenes at the Birch Aquarium. (Scripps Communications, x43624)

CONGRATS! Congratulations to Miriam Kastner who has been appointed to a three-year term on the National Research Council's Ocean Studies Board. In representing Scripps, Miriam succeeds Bob Knox who served an exceptional two three-year terms, ending in December 1999. The Ocean Studies Board advises the federal government on issues of ocean science, engineering, and policy. In addition to exercising leadership within the ocean community, the Board undertakes studies at the request of federal agencies, Congress, or other sponsors, or upon its own initiative. The Board explores the science, policies, and infrastructure needed to understand, use, and protect coastal and marine environments and resources. In recent years, the Board has conducted studies in the following areas: the status of marine and coastal environments; the ocean's role in the global climate system; technology and infrastructure needs; ocean-related aspects of national security; fisheries science, management, and policy; living and nonliving marine resources; ocean education; reviews of specific agency programs; and the future of the discipline in the United States and abroad. (Doug Bennett, x22911)

WAY TO GO, JOHN! John Largier, an associate research oceanographer with the Marine Life Research Group and the Center for Coastal Studies, has been awarded a fellowship from the Aldo Leopold Leadership Program. The program is designed to improve scientific communication about environmental issues to the media, policy makers, and the private sector. John is one of 20 environmental scientists who will participate in this year's third annual Leopold Leadership Program. Nancy Knowlton of MBRD was a member of the first fellowship group in 1999. Congratulations John! (SIO Communications, x43624)

FEBRUARY IS MUSEUM MONTH! - February in San Diego is Museum Month! Museum Month is a special promotion sponsored by Robinsons-May and The San Diego Museum Council running February 1-28, 2001. Twenty five nonprofit museums in San Diego County, including our Birch Aquarium at Scripps, will be offering half-price admission with a Robinsons-May Culture Card. Beginning February 1, museum enthusiasts may request a Culture Card at any San Diego Robinsons-May sales counters (limit 2 per person). One Culture Card will grant up to four people (any age) half-price admission at participating museums. This offer is not valid for group admission. Museum Month encourages cultural enthusiasts to revisit their favorite San Diego County museums or explore museums they've yet to discover. Museum Month highlights San Diego's unique, cultural venues and makes museum-going an accessible and enjoyable experience for all ages! A special Museum Month brochure, listing participating museums and their February exhibitions, will be handed out at Robinsons-May with the Culture Cards. (Lydia Cobb, lkcobb@ucsd.edu)

Ship News

R/V ROGER REVELLE

R/V MELVILLE

R/V NEW HORIZON

R/V ROBERT GORDON SPROUL

PLEASE NOTE - The SIO LOG is the in-house newsletter for staff, students, faculty, and retirees of Scripps Institution of Oceanography/ UCSD. All seminars, celebrations, lectures, and events are for these individuals only, unless otherwise noted. Public lectures will be advertised in the SIO LOG and in the local news media.