tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43320182931061133432024-02-18T20:22:06.785-08:00In an Octopus's GardenElliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332018293106113343.post-60491324327140784482011-09-07T02:59:00.000-07:002011-09-07T03:03:14.295-07:00Stand up and shout!<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times;">Today I was inspired by a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/science/09emily.html">New York Times articled </a>titled “<a>Groups Call for Scientists to Engage the Body Politic</a>.</span>" Shockingly, the flaccid and uninteresting headline failed to catch my attention but I luckily was drawn in by the interactive quiz feature. The quiz tests your ability to identify pictures of scientists. I got 9/10 but I’m not going to lie I used process of elimination on at least four of the questions and got very lucky. The feature and the article highlight the un-recognizable-ness of some of today’s top scientists.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /><span style="font-family:Times;"><b> </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /><span style="font-family:Times;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-family:Times;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times;">The crux of the article is that scientists almost always fly under the radar. I am curious to what extent this is by choice and to what extent it is accidental. My guess is that it’s a bit of both. I’m sure some scientists fancy themselves to be well-known but are quite the opposite. And I would also bet that there are a lot of scientists who believe that their scientific research will do the talking for itself. We’re here to science, not to become rock stars right?</span><b><span style="font-family:Times;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /><b><span style="font-family:Times;"></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /><b><span style="font-family:Times;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family:Times;"></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times;">WRONG. </span><b><span style="font-family:Times;"></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b><span style="font-family:Times;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b><span style="font-family:Times;"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times;">There is little point to what I do every day if the work is never passed along and explained to the people who might benefit from it. Use whatever word you like: “end user,” “consumer,” “implementer,” “manager.” First things first: they need to know you exist and they need to know what you think! This is especially crucial in today’s political atmosphere where climate change and evolution are treated as topics of debate instead of important scientific realities. </span><b><span style="font-family:Times;"></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times;">If we are truly to respect ourselves, the science we do, and the people who can use that science, then we need to get out there and speak. </span><b><span style="font-family:Times;"></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b><span style="font-family:Times;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b><span style="font-family:Times;"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times;">You will never have a voice if you don’t open your mouth.</span><b><span style="font-family:Times;"></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b><span style="font-family:Times;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b><span style="font-family:Times;"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times;">-Ellie </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b><span style="font-family:Times;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b><span style="font-family:Times;"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times;">PS: If you can name the movie that inspired the title of this post, I will give you a gold star! </span><b><span style="font-family:Times;"></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""> </b></p>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332018293106113343.post-79960911790470821622011-07-03T15:45:00.000-07:002011-07-03T16:10:41.059-07:00Albatross, Sea Lions, and Penguins: Oh My!<style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal">5:40 pm July 2<sup>nd</sup> 2011</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The sun has set over <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunedin">Dunedin</a> and as we drive deeper into Otago County the gloaming shrouds miles of farmland. Hundreds of sheep are still discernable in the faint light that remains. <span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am on my way to the <a href="http://nzmss.org/">New Zealand Marine Science Society</a>’s annual conference and chose to take the weekend before the meeting to see a small chunk of the far south. The 3ish day conference is being held on Stewart Island, sometimes referred to as New Zealand’s “third island,” but in reality a small blob off the southern tip of the South Island.<span style=""> </span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My first stop was Dunedin, home of Otago University.<span style=""> </span>Immediately after checking in to the backpackers (aka hostel) I headed to the weekly farmers market—a brilliant decision.<span style=""> </span>On top of the delicious apricot loaf and bean soup that I purchased, I was gifted a small chunk of brie cheese and some apples!<span style=""> </span>Some of the Kiwi vendors, being so incredibly kind, seemed to get carried away chatting with me and decided I was a good enough person to merit some free produce.<span style=""> </span>I did not argue! </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Having stocked up, I headed to my pick up location for a wildlife tour on the Otago Peninsula.<span style=""> </span>This was also a really good decision.<span style=""> </span>The folks at <a href="http://www.elmwildlifetours.co.nz/home/">ELM Tours</a> did a fantastic job of showing us the peninsula’s abundant bird and marine life.<span style=""> </span>The first stop was the Royal Albatross Colony where we viewed Royal Albatross chicks (don’t let the word “chick” throw you off—they are quite large) and were lucky enough to get a fly-by from a magnificent adult bird.<span style=""> </span>These creatures have a three-meter wingspan and measure a bit over a meter from beak to tail.<span style=""> </span>So, the fly-by past our observation hut was really special.<span style=""> </span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">While the albatross colony was cool, I have to say that phase two of the tour was the best.<span style=""> </span>We headed to a DoC conservation area that has a fur seal colony—very cute—and a penguin colony.<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Fur Seal:</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpyHiBddbjjd_YcjDQrvU-oy0vwy_2-UGKu0wXd3qdca0EoepAGPU0NT82G2eDUoA_Z-J7TUCqE-Vw_L9sLQXUzekPDsdG0k3SY9KN9UWwqMJwOIO5dDP96I1fDduRk7OOWJZBuwJ_lt1/s1600/P1010293.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpyHiBddbjjd_YcjDQrvU-oy0vwy_2-UGKu0wXd3qdca0EoepAGPU0NT82G2eDUoA_Z-J7TUCqE-Vw_L9sLQXUzekPDsdG0k3SY9KN9UWwqMJwOIO5dDP96I1fDduRk7OOWJZBuwJ_lt1/s200/P1010293.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625264660647002738" border="0" /></a><span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Additionally, Hooker Sea Lions (aka <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/marine-mammals/seals/nz-sea-lion/">New Zealand sea lions</a>), which are only found in NZ, like to hang out on that beach.<span style=""> </span>We walked within feet of these feisty and amazing animals.<span style=""> </span>Let me tell you, they are a bit scary and they aren’t afraid of us.<span style=""> </span>In the states, I would have definitely had to sign a liability waver, but it being New Zealand, no one seemed to care that these animals could have mauled us because we wouldn’t have the legal right to sue the tour company anyway.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Nap Time:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4b4WTtt0xf2jRyRRoQcJO0jW3YdJBmd_jPDK8_pf9YDYB_In_9UO0NLCFf0LXUN3SuaXYCfQgx17qhdxwom5Gqf0PWVBRdPAAEWpI_y-7mDFc921rdt-lckDS0Y7eIFCbRkuT1VXPhIB/s1600/P1010325.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4b4WTtt0xf2jRyRRoQcJO0jW3YdJBmd_jPDK8_pf9YDYB_In_9UO0NLCFf0LXUN3SuaXYCfQgx17qhdxwom5Gqf0PWVBRdPAAEWpI_y-7mDFc921rdt-lckDS0Y7eIFCbRkuT1VXPhIB/s200/P1010325.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625266686672433298" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Sea Lion Love:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WNsj0qJ7BP6LBoZaLnMwFw5zHQZ8lkwdpZHCOwZjFrHsPAuRsRoZ5vcxNXLNf4rUpHa-VfeuXtTn1PZk_9cNGORXEejp6KlVQu61s6ZqNI0f-uX7L5FoiYfVRnRpyVEM4ppdbpP31Zsj/s1600/P1010402.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WNsj0qJ7BP6LBoZaLnMwFw5zHQZ8lkwdpZHCOwZjFrHsPAuRsRoZ5vcxNXLNf4rUpHa-VfeuXtTn1PZk_9cNGORXEejp6KlVQu61s6ZqNI0f-uX7L5FoiYfVRnRpyVEM4ppdbpP31Zsj/s200/P1010402.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625265159507192146" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We hit the beach at just the right time to see the penguins come home from a day of fishing and we even got some good Nat Geo-esque action as the returning penguins tried to avoid some lazing sea lions on the beach (video to follow on facebook)!<span style=""> </span>The footage of these goofy birds waddling up the beach and then fleeing back to the ocean at the twitch of a sea lion flipper is definitely worthy of a you-tube voice over. <span style=""> </span>They headed in from sea, crossed the beach, found their mates, and climbed up and over the hill.<span style=""> </span>By far the penguins were my favorite.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Penguin Heading Home:<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7ITf99jebzFbx4RJcN9nI1DZkx6AsBxlGLKfDUZ6hXOjhuvqwXa1PN89-SbW-kk4PGSYYZYbkYJo4TNzhmxO_OsnKoCaPf_oqbcHRsfiDkjOLnaVytPjR3yS-Aa5eFJ0WAGJYKTS5OPG/s1600/P1010357.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7ITf99jebzFbx4RJcN9nI1DZkx6AsBxlGLKfDUZ6hXOjhuvqwXa1PN89-SbW-kk4PGSYYZYbkYJo4TNzhmxO_OsnKoCaPf_oqbcHRsfiDkjOLnaVytPjR3yS-Aa5eFJ0WAGJYKTS5OPG/s200/P1010357.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625266214253807922" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Having fully enjoyed the peninsula, I spent today in town exploring shops and the museum .<span style=""> </span>Now it’s off to Invercargill for the night and Stewart Island tomorrow!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332018293106113343.post-15630522800163300462011-06-15T02:01:00.000-07:002011-06-15T02:12:59.656-07:00Perks<style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal"><u>Celebrating the Queen’s Birthday</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In New Zealand there is a national holiday in observance of the queen’s birthday.<span style=""> </span>This may seem a bit funny to those Americans out there—at least it did to me—but when you think about it, it’s kind of like president’s day.<span style=""> </span>The day affords Kiwis a long weekend to go on holiday somewhere or just relax at home.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I took the opportunity to travel down to the northern bit of the South Island.<span style=""> </span>We visited “the sounds” region and it was a fantastic trip.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On top of the fun and games, I was able to drive on the left side of the road for about an hour without any major disasters! </p> <p class="MsoNormal">There were gorgeous vistas:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu4IRhpdMz1J1UBNGx3AHrJeVXVEVm9usw7iyNwgI1ZP0ZQT4dn68f9FHGVtxaQl7QAWM45ywwr_SQYr0ZKbOJAZPiTw91QMiYC4bePWqI4iJHtq0T6Bf45L-9fqsagMH6Xv3fcLkg1Fc/s1600/P1000513.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu4IRhpdMz1J1UBNGx3AHrJeVXVEVm9usw7iyNwgI1ZP0ZQT4dn68f9FHGVtxaQl7QAWM45ywwr_SQYr0ZKbOJAZPiTw91QMiYC4bePWqI4iJHtq0T6Bf45L-9fqsagMH6Xv3fcLkg1Fc/s200/P1000513.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618369750609913106" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Exciting roads:</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bg_Gc2T8FgGJODriIomB_tIezDyp4IwZDMNKTg7f1awlEMcF8Ui_HYRd8khmNGlV8f7jI_BRYC7vOUkVJBofAMNYw87585ae_uyCNTueGowqRY0ETTwrMkFXlsXX0RcBx4NfBaHltl48/s1600/P1000527.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bg_Gc2T8FgGJODriIomB_tIezDyp4IwZDMNKTg7f1awlEMcF8Ui_HYRd8khmNGlV8f7jI_BRYC7vOUkVJBofAMNYw87585ae_uyCNTueGowqRY0ETTwrMkFXlsXX0RcBx4NfBaHltl48/s200/P1000527.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618370129888169634" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And of course, lovely sunsets:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CkrdXkqTal0tAAk_5mXExSWBgVJsOb_qRNM6v5GueBsceXjpJEmkDdEB0nPlR0uHDLAdlF9EobUKtnl1gAcREiGq1Dr4_Q4hKK_FzQZOz74DotUiUpSPt2DUbdekGBLpqwNsti00VB9-/s1600/P1000634.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CkrdXkqTal0tAAk_5mXExSWBgVJsOb_qRNM6v5GueBsceXjpJEmkDdEB0nPlR0uHDLAdlF9EobUKtnl1gAcREiGq1Dr4_Q4hKK_FzQZOz74DotUiUpSPt2DUbdekGBLpqwNsti00VB9-/s320/P1000634.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618370523719361810" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">I also found a stuffed Cincinnati Red's baseball bat in a second hand store!!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiGOqBzruK3fP9hGk6e7nb1zaQUKgBhyphenhyphenOR9h2YCYkgnCEQJDlu58LEMSfo-BE2HAB4swPiGcP_6pAuOIAB1xl4ebl_WfGKYBiTHYssytrTGh6eJU8cqsJWjmuFLBurJpkXSSNOO0jeBCn/s1600/P1000519.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiGOqBzruK3fP9hGk6e7nb1zaQUKgBhyphenhyphenOR9h2YCYkgnCEQJDlu58LEMSfo-BE2HAB4swPiGcP_6pAuOIAB1xl4ebl_WfGKYBiTHYssytrTGh6eJU8cqsJWjmuFLBurJpkXSSNOO0jeBCn/s320/P1000519.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618370770710066578" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><u><br /></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>The Fabulous Feijoa</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you ever get the chance to eat feijoa (Fee-Joe-Ah) fruit in your life, take it!<span style=""> </span>In my book, the almighty feijoa is one of evolution’s chart-toppers.<span style=""> </span>It is tart and sweet all at the same time.<span style=""> </span>You cut it in half and spoon in out.<span style=""> </span>Yum!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwMVM5w3mCInVzRzspgZI7sQ60QMRJtaZlGXVpA94p6xiQPdQIP_fkxaqdd-I2ODKu510AB6sKGFmwUmpc1iHBd6ElPEBxQsJimfXgtLKVuvlhJP1s_8_Radf1OGfhF_vheX4WkJk1ZtP/s1600/P1000262.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwMVM5w3mCInVzRzspgZI7sQ60QMRJtaZlGXVpA94p6xiQPdQIP_fkxaqdd-I2ODKu510AB6sKGFmwUmpc1iHBd6ElPEBxQsJimfXgtLKVuvlhJP1s_8_Radf1OGfhF_vheX4WkJk1ZtP/s320/P1000262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618371129337743186" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">In addition to the actual fruit, one can also enjoy feijoa lollies (aka candy) that are delicious, feijoa vodka that is odd but nice, and feijoa tea that’s always satisfying after a hard day’s work. </span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">As I had not seen them before arriving in New Zealand, I assume you can’t get feijoas in the states.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">This fact has set me on a mission to eat as many feijoa fruits and feijoa-flavored items as humanly possibly while here.</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><u>Walks around Wellington </u></p> <span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >There are so many great things about Wellington that it’s hard to isolate just a few of the city’s attributes as “the best.” However, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the city is the green belt that basically horseshoes around the CBD providing fantastic hiking and stunning views without having to travel any distance.<span style=""> </span>For example, a few of my mates and I explored the “skyline track” that runs along a ridge north of the city.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PW538wZuXvAzOHxhyoyXeV1-aSL8X3uBNuQTZzx4e2Mqfnw_HEn8rt5oyHU8RL_DAPEM2A_Z2Ssm896kVl_vW0iSsdaAkbpALVf-cObivpthpMDbnVXikET0lsIQnLijyj0n_Ol_BlOw/s1600/P1000341.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PW538wZuXvAzOHxhyoyXeV1-aSL8X3uBNuQTZzx4e2Mqfnw_HEn8rt5oyHU8RL_DAPEM2A_Z2Ssm896kVl_vW0iSsdaAkbpALVf-cObivpthpMDbnVXikET0lsIQnLijyj0n_Ol_BlOw/s320/P1000341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618371778421804162" border="0" /></a>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332018293106113343.post-4625653254209675782011-06-09T00:52:00.000-07:002011-06-09T01:03:42.638-07:00The enzymes ate my homework!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Edgar_Allan_Poe_2_retouched_and_transparent_bg.png/449px-Edgar_Allan_Poe_2_retouched_and_transparent_bg.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 164px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Edgar_Allan_Poe_2_retouched_and_transparent_bg.png/449px-Edgar_Allan_Poe_2_retouched_and_transparent_bg.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Allan_Poe">Edgar Allan Poe</a> was pretty good at what he did but I’m fairly convinced that his stories would have been enhanced had he spent time in a molecular biology lab.<span style=""> </span>No joke.<span style=""> </span>It can be truly frightening because things will just go wrong.<span style=""> </span>Horribly wrong.<span style=""> </span>And you might not know why.<span style=""> </span>In fact—in my case at least—you almost never know why.<span style=""> </span>And to figure it out takes time and then by that point you’re both behind in the work you were meant to do and late to re-do whatever it was that didn’t work.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As you may have guessed, I feel a bit like I’ve been in a Poe-esque story for the last couple of weeks (granted we had a lovely <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_Official_Birthday">Queen’s Birthday</a> weekend holiday in the middle of it—look for an upcoming post).<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Essentially I thought I was all set to send off DNA samples to be sequenced.<span style=""> </span>I had done all the build-up work and I felt really good about the work I’d done.<span style=""> </span>Thiw was likely my first mistake, since the Molecular Biology Gods (MBGs) can smell satisfaction and to them it smells like skunks.<span style=""> </span>Just to be cautious I tested a few of my samples to make sure they were high enough concentration to sequence.<span style=""> </span>They weren’t really.<span style=""> </span>Well, technically they were too low.<span style=""> </span>But I thought, “well, my sequences worked before and not much has changed so maybe it’s just a mistake and it will work.”<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Nope.<span style=""> </span>Sequencing didn’t work.<span style=""> </span>The next logical step was to test all the other samples I had waiting to get sequenced.<span style=""> </span>Their concentrations were also too low.<span style=""> </span>At this point I was pretty upset because we’re talking about 80 samples that I thought I was basically done with.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So what happened to the DNA?<span style=""> </span>My theory is that the enzymes I added to “clean” my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymerase_chain_reaction">PCR reaction</a>—the ExoSAP that I talked about in my “scientific waste” entry—was inexplicably eating double stranded DNA in addition to the other stuff it is meant to eat. <span style=""> </span>I’m currently trying to prove this but the little mini-experiments I’m setting up to test it are on the back burner as I try to redo essentially a month or more of work in a couple of weeks—using a different clean-up protocol, of course. It’s a new art called “Turbo Science!” <span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hesitantly, I will report that it’s going okay but I refuse to be satisfied with my work thus far lest I upset the MBGs again.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Today, a number of samples went off to be sequenced.<span style=""> </span>So, if you want to do me a favor, cross you fingers and hope that they come out okay! =) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thanks friends,</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ellie </p>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332018293106113343.post-6651629301339065632011-05-27T14:03:00.000-07:002011-05-27T15:24:56.588-07:00Real and imagined boundaries, magical people, and the science/policy interface<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAIOah8kh80hYw_6aP-0hWNMACKlpEdO7Rm0v_ZNg1FmqvUaxJiYKnzuMM16FfCrKLOBb-nNU3pSTg_CrCOfionxYO2RGuO_eOIKrUlbiA8MEYFnm9fdg9yb3qTkRIQ4XV7ngC1ZZEjuc/s1600/science_policy_graphic.jpg"><br /></a><br /> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal">Small introductory note:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Let’s be honest, people: my blog is kind of pathetic.<span style=""> </span>Anemic.<span style=""> </span>Atrophied.<span style=""> </span>Wandering hopelessly through the desert without food or water, incapable of muttering a coherent thought.<span style=""> </span>Today I vow to more than double my entries by the end of June (that kind of sounds like a campaign promise, eh?). <span style=""> </span>Let’s get going!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The post:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Johnny Cash was on to something: walking the line.<span style=""> </span>Yes, that sounds good.<span style=""> </span>But the line I want to walk is the line between science and policy.<span style=""> </span>That imaginary bureaucratic, academic, and largely psychological line that we draw between the science we do and the world that can use it.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For some people, the line is more a brick wall.<span style=""> </span>It is an impervious boundary that divides two disciplines.<span style=""> </span>This is embraced by some academics because it makes them feel safe.<span style=""> </span>On the other hand, many scientists lament the brick wall.<span style=""> </span>They do this not because they want to see what’s on the other side, but, perhaps, because they sincerely long for a day when the powerful folks living on the policy side of the wall will climb over to see what’s on the science side.<span style=""> </span>This may very well be a vain hope.<span style=""> </span>Let’s be frank: the folks on the policy side of the wall would much prefer—for good reason—that scientists build some kind of ramp, or whatever complex machinery they need to build to feel smart, and have a go at effectively presenting their work to the “big boys.”<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And yet, some scientists have turned this brick wall into more of a semi-permeable membrane.<span style=""> </span>They appear to know how to package their material and present it effectively so that it floats through small, imaginary pores in the membrane, disseminating on both side.<span style=""> </span>My guess is that there are people on either side of the line who would like to make these pores bigger, easier to find, and more frequently used.<span style=""> </span>Or maybe we need someone to navigate the membrane for groups on both sides.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">On Fridays when we’re both free, I meet with my supervisor at NIWA to discuss progress on the project, any problems I may have, and whatever tangential topics we discover in the heat of the moment.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Yesterday we chatted about this line and how I would like to be working right at the line, or even—gasp—crossing it frequently during my career.<span style=""> </span>He mentioned that what is really needed is someone whose sole purpose is to patrol the line.<span style=""> </span>No, patrol is the wrong word.<span style=""> </span>Negotiate the line.<span style=""> </span>A liaison, if you will.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAIOah8kh80hYw_6aP-0hWNMACKlpEdO7Rm0v_ZNg1FmqvUaxJiYKnzuMM16FfCrKLOBb-nNU3pSTg_CrCOfionxYO2RGuO_eOIKrUlbiA8MEYFnm9fdg9yb3qTkRIQ4XV7ngC1ZZEjuc/s1600/science_policy_graphic.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 471px; height: 353px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAIOah8kh80hYw_6aP-0hWNMACKlpEdO7Rm0v_ZNg1FmqvUaxJiYKnzuMM16FfCrKLOBb-nNU3pSTg_CrCOfionxYO2RGuO_eOIKrUlbiA8MEYFnm9fdg9yb3qTkRIQ4XV7ngC1ZZEjuc/s320/science_policy_graphic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611523737203239330" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">This excites me.<span style=""> </span>“Yes,” I said, “I want to be that person!”<span style=""> </span>The problem, he says, is that no one really wants to employ that person (at least it doesn’t seem they want to in NZ) because they aren’t really “billable.”<span style=""> </span>What do they produce?<span style=""> </span>What to they make?<span style=""> </span>I think they make all the science more meaningful by, you know, getting it to be useful to policy-makers. <span style=""> </span>Therefore that person actually makes everything better and makes the research institution an asset to the country. <span style=""> </span>That doesn’t seem to be something that translates into making money, however.<span style=""> </span>Also, it’s not an easy job! </p> <p class="MsoNormal">He launched into the job description for someone who might want to liaise between ocean scientists and policy-makers: </p> <p class="MsoNormal">--Understands ocean science…broadly…. (does anyone?)<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">--Knows how to get scientists to explain their work<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">--Understands policy</p> <p class="MsoNormal">--Personable</p> <p class="MsoNormal">--Is perceptive and can compromise</p> <p class="MsoNormal">--Good at communicating</p> <p class="MsoNormal">--Knows what the policy world needs</p> <p class="MsoNormal">--Knows how the science world can help</p> <p class="MsoNormal">--Basically, possesses magical powers</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Whoa there!!<span style=""> </span>I have to be MAGICAL?!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A moment of thought followed by: “Yes…. that’s still the kind of thing I want to do.”<span style=""> </span>Now I just need to work on those magical powers.<span style=""> </span></p>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332018293106113343.post-72273928894696152322011-04-24T14:05:00.000-07:002011-04-24T14:26:22.159-07:00Scientific Waste<span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Times"; }@font-face { font-family: "Calibri"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }div.Section1 { page: Sectio</style><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" ><br />I have a friend who recently embarked on a voyage from NZ to Hawaii on board a traditional sailing Waka, or canoe (visit the <a href="http://www.pacificvoyagers.org/">voyage website</a>, it’s really cool!).<span style=""> </span>The trip is not only a way for the participants to engage with their heritage as sea-faring peoples but also a chance to raise awareness about ocean-related environmental issues like acidification, ocean trash, overfishing, etc.<span style=""> </span>Part of their pre-voyage training focused on the impact that they will have on the ocean and ways they can minimize this impact while at sea.<br /><br /><span style=""> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" >One of the Wakas in the marina in Auckland: <span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTM75sNnjeP8O0Co_t_HBsicibjWA2yGbBmBYgj5rcBUzLcrNT9dsRDf6AG31OKLPjKT7F2pkngDI6OBhXUoLFZCSOEVI-x3Oo3n2fU3mpIlDoSp2QpH9AcMiMR4W2ghM9Ic3gNdg2MAEo/s1600/P1030063.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTM75sNnjeP8O0Co_t_HBsicibjWA2yGbBmBYgj5rcBUzLcrNT9dsRDf6AG31OKLPjKT7F2pkngDI6OBhXUoLFZCSOEVI-x3Oo3n2fU3mpIlDoSp2QpH9AcMiMR4W2ghM9Ic3gNdg2MAEo/s320/P1030063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599259717546723282" border="0" /></a></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" >Great effort went in to planning how they might go about reducing waste but in the end, the solutions are not that complicated.<span style=""> </span>They bought bulk shampoo and soap for the crew that comes in biodegradable containers.<span style=""> </span>They minimized the waste that will come from the kitchen by making sure that products are in metal cans or cardboard that won’t float around the ocean for thousands of years to come. <span style=""> </span>This got me thinking about oceanographic research cruises because <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_Garbage_Patch">ocean trash</a> is a real issue and humans have to stop dumping plastic into the oceans. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" >As a marine scientist I’ve often wondered at the many things we do in the field and in the lab that create waste and have an overall negative impact on the marine environment.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" >When we go to sea, it seems that no one is paying attention to the waste we create on board because everyone is too concerened about their own scientific mission.<span style=""> </span>Everyone brings their own plastic bottles of shampoo, and myriad of other toiletry products. <span style=""> </span>I’ve heard stories of deep-sea submersibles that have come across trash at hydrothermal vent sites that they eventually figure out was generated on the ship.<span style=""> </span>I’m hoping to talk with people in charge of the WHOI fleet and other scientists that I go to sea with about ways the ship can minimize its impact on the sea.<span style=""> </span>But, most importantly, I will make a commitment to doing better myself and only bringing ocean-friendly products with me to sea. <span style=""> </span><b style="">Do you have stories of waste at sea or can you think of ways that we can be better?</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;" lang="EN-NZ">This is <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.whoi.edu">WHOI</a>'s R/V Atlantis—how can we green this ship?!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlQMmRCh6zgWd8s3dUenuOBCNd90UPCwe1ayM6FCMXkCXhAsfjDZxnUQdhQpNvzahuVs5SDvvQl7scBF7-4lcEZtAzrrRRFHbvQwbKl0-RVZqTgRzskv5YHi_e9T1zAECgUC-tZ2IyzdI/s1600/Atlantis+"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlQMmRCh6zgWd8s3dUenuOBCNd90UPCwe1ayM6FCMXkCXhAsfjDZxnUQdhQpNvzahuVs5SDvvQl7scBF7-4lcEZtAzrrRRFHbvQwbKl0-RVZqTgRzskv5YHi_e9T1zAECgUC-tZ2IyzdI/s320/Atlantis+" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599260401126770386" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" >After collecting animals at sea, most of my actual “sceince” happens when we get back on shore.<span style=""> </span>Certain types of laboratory science create massive amounts of plastic, rubber, and chemical waste.<span style=""> </span>Because I’m interested in population genetics I do most of my work in a molecular biology lab working with hundreds of tubes, pipette tips, latex and nitrile gloves, and 96 well plates, which means I go through lots of plastic and other synthetic materials that we throw away. Lab waste doesn’t get recycled beacause it’s often covered in nasty chemicals.<span style=""> </span>I’ve often wondered why no one has found a way to get around this. Is there some way to wash or melt-down and purify the plastic pipette tips?<span style=""> </span><b style="">Why do we have to throw away so much plastic?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" ><a href="http://www.eppendorf.com/int/index.php?l=1">Eppendorf</a> glorifies their "consumable products" by publishing free monthly wallpaper art for your computer, like these rt PCR plates:<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDe7GiieO-JUjgjwKEBz5SoUlh6ASozzsIonZw1R7tcFDunEaf1yeZ3gjczqZW6iogyLjhBHzs7y3D71bpBX1U_7z1XcBKrNAmyQO0-0iKbm4SYHtkeWg7Yy6-dvDaVaG1NHuRwdhETlM9/s1600/wallpaper_09_1024_768.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDe7GiieO-JUjgjwKEBz5SoUlh6ASozzsIonZw1R7tcFDunEaf1yeZ3gjczqZW6iogyLjhBHzs7y3D71bpBX1U_7z1XcBKrNAmyQO0-0iKbm4SYHtkeWg7Yy6-dvDaVaG1NHuRwdhETlM9/s320/wallpaper_09_1024_768.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599261541926495346" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" >There are several differences between my lab here at NIWA and my home lab at WHOI, like the use different reagents, different protocols, or different brands of chemicals for certain reactions.<span style=""> </span>I’m often a bit hesitant to use something new partly because when I go back to WHOI, it’s important that I be able to replicate the work I’m doing here. But in some cases, there are alternative methods to what I’m used to that could be more effective, cheaper, or even reduce waste.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" >For example, there are two contrasting ways to “clean up” a gene product that we get from PCR.<span style=""> </span>Essentially, PCR makes a bunch of copies of one particular gene of interest.<span style=""> </span>Once the reaction is run, there are some reagents—chemicals and pieces of DNA—that we want to get rid of because they might make it harder to sequence the gene that we’ve copied.<span style=""> </span>To do this, I usually use a column clean-up method, produced by QIAGEN.<span style=""> </span>Essentially, there is this magical tube (see below) with a membrane made out of silica that selectively binds the DNA we want and allows us to wash away everything we don’t want.<span style=""> </span>In the final step, you rinse the DNA off the membrane into a new tube and you’ve got a “clean” product.<span style=""> </span>Then you throw away the columns and the all old tubes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJ16xSsJ6YciQurEHDwsC4q7vwsW119RwA31HgbaYKrfKUSzBUA4PXZIFTTvSQ4Zu1Rq4mXaKNtJuok7WuxS4ieIhSCQd4RLAOByRBsk2rCbdequ0ApoxuG2C7LW1i4QcKsiTREMcyD5l/s1600/1044.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJ16xSsJ6YciQurEHDwsC4q7vwsW119RwA31HgbaYKrfKUSzBUA4PXZIFTTvSQ4Zu1Rq4mXaKNtJuok7WuxS4ieIhSCQd4RLAOByRBsk2rCbdequ0ApoxuG2C7LW1i4QcKsiTREMcyD5l/s320/1044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599260900952844530" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" >At NIWA, someone has suggested that I use a different method called <a href="http://www.affymetrix.com/estore/browse/brand/usb/product.jsp?productId=131310#1_1">ExoSAP</a>, which is an enzyme cocktail that digests the small bits of DNA that we don’t want.<span style=""> </span>I was hesitant to accept this suggestion, but while looking at the website and reading that it advertised itseld as the “greener method” to clean up PCRs, I realized that I should really have a go because it could seriously reduce the waste that my project produces and will likely work just as well. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" >I’m sure that there are many ways that we can work on laboratoy trash, it’s just that someone needs to sit down and think a bit about it.<span style=""> </span>I’m going to try to dedicate myself to being more aware of the ways that my science impacts the environment because there’s little sense in claiming that I’m out to conserve the oceans if I am, in fact, doing harm to the environment in the process. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" lang="EN-NZ" > </span></p>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332018293106113343.post-5324095663559438542011-04-20T21:53:00.000-07:002011-04-20T21:59:20.541-07:00Apology HaikusUntitled #1:<br />Disappointing you;<br />Failure to communicate!<br />I will do better.<br /><br />Untitled #2:<br />When lab work fails me,<br />motivation alludes me.<br />Hard to find topics.<br /><br />Untitled #3:<br />PCR banding<br />that looks like lunar landing...<br />Contamination?<br /><br />Titled #1:<br />I hope you get these:<br />Creativity attempts.<br />If not, more to come.Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332018293106113343.post-5906479331276671302011-03-24T22:17:00.000-07:002011-03-24T22:31:20.825-07:00BiomimiWHAT?<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">Since arriving in New Zealand I have somehow surrounded myself with excessively smart people.<span style=""> </span>From the other Fulbright students, to the delegates at the Future Partnership Forum, to folks at work, the people I encounter have given me a constant stream of interesting ideas and new important issues to consider. There’s nothing like having a fascinating conversation or attending a stimulating lecture to put you in a good mood and I’ve been lucky to experience several over the last seven weeks (yes, I’ve been here seven weeks already!).<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">Science excites me for several reasons: first of all, it’s usually extremely cool; second of all, it can help us improve our understanding of ourselves and of our place in the world; third of all—and this is what I’m most passionate about—science presents us with a wonderfully rational and elegant way to approach management of resources and regulation of our own actions, as well as a way to progress as a civilization that will hopefully someday incorporate the earth’s fine-tuned balance. <span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">Since going to the Future Partnership Forum in Christchurch (part of the larger <a href="http://www.usnzcouncil.org/">US-NZ council</a>’s Partnership Forum) last month, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about the ways in which not only science and policy, but also science and industry, interact.<span style=""> </span>(Mind you, these are not exclusive pairings.) <span style=""> </span>I’ve been thinking about what it means to innovate.<span style=""> </span>Creativity is the only path that will lead us to solutions for our toughest problems like dwindling resources, food and water crises, and climate change.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">On my drive up to Auckland last weekend, my friend and I started discussing innovation and creativity in design, focusing on sustainability and our current environmental challenges.<span style=""> </span>The conversation turned to a field called <a href="http://www.biomimicryinstitute.org/">biomimicry</a>.<span style=""> </span>The concept is simple but inspired: look at how the earth and its creatures work, and try to use the designs of Mother Nature in our own products.<span style=""> </span>My friend mentioned a company called <a href="http://www.whalepower.com/">Whale Power</a>, which I have since looked up online.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times;">The Whale Power website tells the story of the initial conception of the project: Dr. Frank Fish (amazing name) inspected a figurine of a humpback whale and wanted to understand why the whale’s flippers where bumpy on the front edge.<span style=""> </span>After some serious research, he designed new blades for windmills that are more efficient than the smooth ones that human engineers first built. This is similar to the “invention” of Velcro by George de Mestral who noticed the efficacy of burrs at attaching to clothing and hair.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times;">(Humpback whale from </span>the <a href="http://fascinatingly.com/home/explore/animals/wild-animals/105-whale-watching-in-california.html">web</a>)<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpmxmAYFH1GKdlpKfIWb9Y76hdQQdWlS5FMPKSnUBxNH-cUqq9kfTY_KdigJ4wUs5zHRYD70HFBFBbsez1Up3QqUpSh67PttoOch3YWEt_LbCW847x0RydpI-G9iKCA7ZALFHXb7sDXyJ/s1600/Whale"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpmxmAYFH1GKdlpKfIWb9Y76hdQQdWlS5FMPKSnUBxNH-cUqq9kfTY_KdigJ4wUs5zHRYD70HFBFBbsez1Up3QqUpSh67PttoOch3YWEt_LbCW847x0RydpI-G9iKCA7ZALFHXb7sDXyJ/s320/Whale" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587883236689828802" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;">Coincidentally, this week at NIWA, the Thursday lecture focused on biomimicry. <span style=""> </span>The speaker, a recent graduate of a masters program at Harvard University where he studies in the <a href="http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/%7Eglauder/">Lauder Laboratory</a>, shared with us work he’d done on the fluid dynamics surrounding seal whiskers and sharkskin.<span style=""> </span>Sharkskin has long been suspected to greatly reduce drag and facilitate fast and easy movement in the water, but until Johannes Oeffner decided to pursue the question for his master's thesis, no one had ever proved the existence of or quantified the phenomenon.<span style=""> </span>(Spoiler alert: the sharkskin does reduce drag but a quantifiable amount!) </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times;">Data like those presented by Johannes can have an enormous impact on engineering and industry. <span style=""> </span>Now that we know how good sharkskin is at reducing drag, we can design boat hulls, submarines, and cars that reduce drag with similar mechanisms, in turn reducing the energy input required to run those machines.<span style=""> </span>To be sure, you readers can probably think of many more applications than I can!<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">(close up of sharkskin from a <a href="http://harrilee.glogster.com/sharks/">"glog"</a> ?)<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Times;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5NwmUIn4XhiksQBO3tABSHlG1z5FH2Zg2OTvzttjj_Mj4RbVqKoAl0H_q3mjNKP4b-scFrPktedK12Pg6JLxDDFCWjN3weTyeBir_CI_72LXAHnxBFPYoJgOakoDKc9Y3bYk2aWG1LOb/s1600/Shark_skin"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5NwmUIn4XhiksQBO3tABSHlG1z5FH2Zg2OTvzttjj_Mj4RbVqKoAl0H_q3mjNKP4b-scFrPktedK12Pg6JLxDDFCWjN3weTyeBir_CI_72LXAHnxBFPYoJgOakoDKc9Y3bYk2aWG1LOb/s320/Shark_skin" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587884353737775250" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times;">The Whale Power website highlights how using biological models as a template for design is, in a way, creating a product that has been field-tested for millions of years. I love the concept that the evolutionary iterations of an organism—from the constant evolution of unseen proteins to the alteration of physical characteristics we can see—represent an inimitable series of field tests. What an awesome way to look at evolution!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times;"><br /><span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times;">If we are going to achieve a better way of living, whom else should we look to but Mother Nature? </span><span style=";font-family:Times;font-size:10pt;" ></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332018293106113343.post-24709561655530446902011-03-23T01:50:00.000-07:002011-03-23T02:28:06.359-07:00R/V Tangaroa<style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">This past weekend I went on a trip up north to <a href="http://www.rotoruanz.com/">Rotorua</a> and then on to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland">Auckland</a>.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">While I flew through Auckland on my way into the country, I had never seen any of the countryside north of Wellington and I jumped at the chance to join my friend on a little road trip up the island.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The drive was absolutely gorgeous and I had a great time.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">It just so happened that my advisor from the states was coming into port in Auckland after a three week research cruise to the <a href="http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/volcanoes/6">Kermadec Ridge</a>, home to a submarine volcano range and some really cool deep-sea ecosystems.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The ship docked at about 9 am and he was flying back to the states that night, so I snuck in a quick meeting that afternoon to discuss my Fulbright project.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">He joined a number of colleagues from <a href="http://www.niwa.co.nz/">NIWA</a>, the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science, or <a href="http://www.gns.cri.nz/">GNS</a>, the <a href="http://www.ocean.washington.edu/">University of Washington</a>, and others, on board NIWA’s </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >R/V</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> <i style="">Tangaro</i>.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">In Maori culture, Tangaroa is the God responsible for the sea.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_issJcwLC2vpcqD5E5flRwyGi7gwtZo8c215Zt-T3TbeYMKPFm_tYSo8YD5GY7qv5Lep8nxY8326KYwalVAdMYR6sfT8xYhML4SJB1mKtkSQDcQT_DIGsc5M-HW872OqYv2zvgQYqKU4/s1600/P1020983.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_issJcwLC2vpcqD5E5flRwyGi7gwtZo8c215Zt-T3TbeYMKPFm_tYSo8YD5GY7qv5Lep8nxY8326KYwalVAdMYR6sfT8xYhML4SJB1mKtkSQDcQT_DIGsc5M-HW872OqYv2zvgQYqKU4/s320/P1020983.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587197944785963618" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOXKfYLln0HLIQB__fjqSjfUAdZK8aT4Zw8IQzN-nTTLOlQ1bPQw58Fz6cWmOPy9Y18dh-6JaEcjuOEIM9gWcLjQg2qUDxYrImSJ_Ihn78FkW0yjdTy3ULfjtzyOVnXh0nuZKv4bvr4Gi/s1600/P1020984.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOXKfYLln0HLIQB__fjqSjfUAdZK8aT4Zw8IQzN-nTTLOlQ1bPQw58Fz6cWmOPy9Y18dh-6JaEcjuOEIM9gWcLjQg2qUDxYrImSJ_Ihn78FkW0yjdTy3ULfjtzyOVnXh0nuZKv4bvr4Gi/s320/P1020984.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587203224087277634" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71kP-UCcHDKI4iJcKt8FqoSGECn3XVK_uogxInszrYwO5wZoZoHr717BIeXrg0Kv_n1E2UuAnRfcHjxFCVHQ5tvpHnhiQKCH6-y_xlievqIJzDvzporUHJpsS07Fstdt-nNGG7xe_Vk6R/s1600/P1020980.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71kP-UCcHDKI4iJcKt8FqoSGECn3XVK_uogxInszrYwO5wZoZoHr717BIeXrg0Kv_n1E2UuAnRfcHjxFCVHQ5tvpHnhiQKCH6-y_xlievqIJzDvzporUHJpsS07Fstdt-nNGG7xe_Vk6R/s320/P1020980.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587197614089082498" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Upon arrival in Auckland, I found my way straight to the dock and met with my advisor on the ship.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">When the meeting was over, my friend James, an engineer at WHOI gave me a tour of the ship, highlighting some of the quirkier aspects of the <i style="">R/V Tangaroa. </i></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Like the tile bathtub…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyElfnKRrrJv6sTNIR2cP0kExJzO8VuD-9izfNie6QDZlqvzQ9FcULSiJnZmQqU8uj5xL958-435foqZJzYBUTMV0abT0YWhq5ysQ72A-w0eNWdFncsDFIeWrDJS5r0TeZtRaW4hVaeUqk/s1600/P1020974.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyElfnKRrrJv6sTNIR2cP0kExJzO8VuD-9izfNie6QDZlqvzQ9FcULSiJnZmQqU8uj5xL958-435foqZJzYBUTMV0abT0YWhq5ysQ72A-w0eNWdFncsDFIeWrDJS5r0TeZtRaW4hVaeUqk/s320/P1020974.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587198997725452242" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">…and the factory-like rooms down below that I imagine were used for fish processing.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I have no proper sources for this assumption, but I think it used to be a trawler before it was converted to a research ship.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ4260XDEO1QS_S0THgEFUa-njSCKkLalROx7fNIPkrny0X59Cl0FxKsaE5YcULyoXKTiqwkDvPxiFe6i76juhbzU4Si5mSDCnPAUeDS1nK9ks5m8Rr0UzzDADDsowgRPf-6MOvp6AxMR/s1600/P1020973.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ4260XDEO1QS_S0THgEFUa-njSCKkLalROx7fNIPkrny0X59Cl0FxKsaE5YcULyoXKTiqwkDvPxiFe6i76juhbzU4Si5mSDCnPAUeDS1nK9ks5m8Rr0UzzDADDsowgRPf-6MOvp6AxMR/s320/P1020973.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587199370666137026" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I even snapped a shot of the city skyline from inside the ship's bridge.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTD3-rhYYndPfGhYYOYubID6lVNANJFiSVBiWQ8om83GnEt1X9P18HAU3LNgJtnHAWYvEhjcdWbHhyf6CiQpqpVvzLbR4cOKsX8UuRK07xkMTSjRuLDJ8qwUCbbZC92HP5MfygWLtl8TX/s1600/P1020975.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTD3-rhYYndPfGhYYOYubID6lVNANJFiSVBiWQ8om83GnEt1X9P18HAU3LNgJtnHAWYvEhjcdWbHhyf6CiQpqpVvzLbR4cOKsX8UuRK07xkMTSjRuLDJ8qwUCbbZC92HP5MfygWLtl8TX/s320/P1020975.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587201796023063810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I stayed in Auckland until Tuesday afternoon and really enjoyed catching up with friends and checking out the city. A special highlight was the Maritime Museum, which had a huge range of exhibits from traditional islander and Maori canoes to the winning 1995 America's cup Yacht. The museum is a must do in Auckland.<br /><br />What can I say? I'm a total ocean nerd!<br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332018293106113343.post-39414968116041364282011-03-16T11:48:00.000-07:002011-03-16T15:06:49.796-07:00Thinking vs. Doing<p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ">I can be hard-headed and sometimes I can have trouble stepping back and accepting the fact that I know virtually nothing about anything. <span style="font-size:0;"></span>I will carry on thinking that I’m on the right track until something—a journal article I read, an e-mail I receive, or a meeting that doesn’t go as planned—smacks me in the side of the face (figuratively speaking of course) and screams “you have no idea what you’re doing!”<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>When this hard truth hits, it can be quite upsetting and I sometimes let it result in a “bad day” which may or may not involve complete loss of confidence, withdrawing to my office, and/or taking everything anyone says the wrong way, suspecting that they too have lost all faith in me. This paints a picture of an extreme case, but it does happen. </span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ">While preparing to leave Woods Hole for New Zealand, I was chatting with my advisor Dr. <a href="http://www.whoi.edu/science/B/people/tshank/">Tim Shank</a> at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.whoi.edu">(WHOI)</a> about the year to come.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>He said something that caught me off guard which, paraphrased, went something like this: “If you come back to WHOI with a boatload of genetic data about species around New Zealand, you will not have had a successful year.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But if you come back understanding what goes into designing a research project, that will be success.”<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ">My emotional response to this was a cocktail of excited and a bit irritated. <span style="font-size:0;"></span>I was excited because this whole learning to sculpt a research project business sounded like a very large step down the poorly-defined, often blocked, and tumultuous road between studentville and scientist city that we call a PhD program. </span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ">So, why did this also bug me?<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Because in my mind I had already come up with a research project: I was going to study the genetic connectivity of seamount invertebrates and try to understand what the genetic legacy of bottom trawling might be on benthic dwelling species.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I had a topic. <span style="font-size:0;"></span>I had leader-of-the-field advisors to work with at New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). <span style="font-size:0;"></span>I was going to hop on a plane, land in New Zealand, grab a pile of samples, and be a DNA-sequence-generating lab-dwelling machine for a year (with brief breaks to explore the country and play cello of course).<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But that would have been too easy and, in the end, pretty pointless. <span style="font-size:0;"></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ">While I knew that my previous forays into the world of science were heavily skewed to the grunt labor side of things, it was never as clear to me as it is now just how little I know about how to <i>do</i> science.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Working as a summer intern or a lab tech for months at a time gave me a very naïve version of how things work.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Over the three weeks that I’ve been at NIWA I’ve been working to formulate an actual plan and proposal for how to proceed with my research.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>So I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. <span style="font-size:0;"></span>At each step—actually figuring out what the research questions are, choosing a target species, determining the physical sites of the populations I am to use, and trying to understand what genetic markers and tests could help illuminate patterns of gene flow in the deep sea—I find that there is an entire world of knowledge that I have never broached.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>It’s almost terrifying how much there is to learn.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>And while I could spend the rest of my life THINKING about these topics, there’s a very hard-headed part of me that wants to start DOING.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ">There have been some good days when I think I know what I’m going to do and I’m just one tantalizing step from being able to actually get in the lab and start doing work.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>And surely there have been some not-so-good days when leads that I thought I had on samples or genetic markers fall through and I realize I haven’t made progress.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ">But yesterday was the first bad day.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Yesterday felt like one of those smacks in the face I was talking about.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I received information that, while actually really helpful in designing my study, has strongly made me reconsider using the two species I was hoping to use for my major research questions.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ">What do you do with this kind of information?<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>You breathe deeply and start thinking again.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>It’s called being a rational human and it can be extremely difficult.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>So, after my typical series of irrational emotional responses—helplessness, uselessness, frustration, omni-directional worry—I’m back to thinking.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Rationally. </span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ">Something that my NIWA advisor, <a href="http://www.niwa.co.nz/our-science/aquatic-biodiversity-and-biosecurity/key-contacts/all/ashley-rowden">Dr. Ashley Rowden</a> said to me last week will make a lasting impression on my career, I think.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>When I expressed my eagerness to get in the lab and start doing things, he essentially said, “Ellie, I have news for you.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>This reading and thinking is most of what science is.”<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ">Sirens, bells, and whistles exploded in my brain (well, probably I just grunted) because this led me to recall what Tim had said back in January about what a successful year would look like.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>He was telling me that success would be learning to think and not just do.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>When two extremely intelligent and well-published scientists from almost directly opposite sides of the globe seem to have the same message, they must have a point. <span style="font-size:0;"></span></span></p>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332018293106113343.post-67149882668063870122011-03-08T01:32:00.000-08:002011-03-08T02:00:03.795-08:00Mountains under the sea<span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">As some of my friends and family know, the last couple of weeks have been extremely eventful and emotional for me here in New Zealand but let's be honest: I've been a horrible blogger thus far. I was in Christchurch when the earthquake hit on February 22nd and while the story of my experience would probably make a good blog post of sorts, what I’d rather do is give you some resources to help the people of Christchurch and move on to something more science-like. So if you are able, and feel so compelled, please donate to the NZ Red cross to help the effort in Christchurch by clicking <a href="http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate">here.</a> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, on to the mountains of the sea…</p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you think you can plan a trip to the world’s longest mountain range and gaze in awe at its magnificent peaks, you’re wrong.<span style=""> </span>You would have trouble getting to the longest mountain range on earth, as it is in the ocean.<span style=""> </span>The mid ocean ridge <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-ocean_ridge">(MOR)</a> extends for 80,000 kilometers (while length of continuous mountains is ~65,000 km) and runs throughout the world’s ocean. <span style=""> </span>Fore reference, the earth’s circumference is roughly 40,000 km!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here's a map from wikipedia (the pink shows the MOR system):<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLa7QicoBKUyLI5VYKFaShkUV9_wCd3BNTrBhMUlv8WX83NaHiyHG1J3LMhHgJ7Ud23JFgN_cWpNR_6fGMSNyNB5uqO14exx6usCmNdrlOVcQ74P7k99n6P4nbJ-JPENWYrvWG3lVCnfjW/s1600/MOR_wiki"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLa7QicoBKUyLI5VYKFaShkUV9_wCd3BNTrBhMUlv8WX83NaHiyHG1J3LMhHgJ7Ud23JFgN_cWpNR_6fGMSNyNB5uqO14exx6usCmNdrlOVcQ74P7k99n6P4nbJ-JPENWYrvWG3lVCnfjW/s200/MOR_wiki" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581641557243177282" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Like on land, the mountain ranges of the oceans (including the MOR and others) outline the planet’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subduction_zones">subduction zones</a> and<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seafloor_spreading"> spreading centers</a>, where tectonic plates crash into each other or are pulled apart, dramatically destroying and creating the earth’s crust.<span style=""> </span>And here’s the cool thing about the ocean, in addition to the MOR, there are thought to be hundreds of thousands of seamounts, or undersea mountains, splattered across the globe (think Jackson Pollock). </p> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal">Seamounts are a hard geological feature to define (pun intended).<span style=""> </span>If you ask any number of ocean scientists to do so, you are likely to get a range of answers depending on discipline.<span style=""> </span>If you are going to be a serious geologist about it, an underwater feature is only a seamount if it rises more than 1,000 meters off the seafloor.<span style=""> </span>However, we biologists are more likely to clump much smaller features—down to 100 meters in altitude—into the definition. I’ve discovered that in New Zealand, some of the legislation about seamounts uses this broader definition, much to the chagrin of the fishing industry. Here’s why. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Many commercially valuable deep-sea fish like orange roughy (pictured below), and oreo (yes, that's a kind of fish!) aggregate on seamounts.<span style=""> </span>Because of the way the ocean currents interact with these bathymetric features, lots of the nutrients and food necessary for benthic invertebrates and pelagic fish alike to thrive are in high abundance at seamounts.<span style=""> </span>It follows, then, that fisheries would target seamounts while trawling for fish, and who’s to blame them?<span style=""> </span>But when we think about managing the fisheries and try to understand the effects that fishing has on the marine environment, we must consider the impact that trawling will have on the benthic habitat and the organisms within that habitat.<span style=""> </span>When writing the laws, however, if one uses the broader definition of seamount, then more features will be subject to whatever regulation is being imposed, thus explaining the aversion of some fisheries advocates to the use of a more lenient definition.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Orange Roughy on a seamount (this photo was taken by one of my advisors, Malcolm Clark, from NIWA. This particular file is from 3news.co.nz):</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTupXntpTd9VtXHhwk9O1K1NirXUEnGD32elyG3-FHOmyquUR94zi56I2IV0rO_Mw-UGKfjH0tlY4uOJocYzkE1on6VV6S2a32fmv40pPEEwDpfwRUJKzhWpfLQ0LLNLCpOs_zkkKO_7J/s1600/orange-roughy%252C-%2528C%2529-Malcolm-.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTupXntpTd9VtXHhwk9O1K1NirXUEnGD32elyG3-FHOmyquUR94zi56I2IV0rO_Mw-UGKfjH0tlY4uOJocYzkE1on6VV6S2a32fmv40pPEEwDpfwRUJKzhWpfLQ0LLNLCpOs_zkkKO_7J/s320/orange-roughy%252C-%2528C%2529-Malcolm-.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581643071791301026" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Some people find it hard to relate to the marine environment.<span style=""> </span>What’s below the low tide mark remains hidden to almost all people and many marine species continue to be eaten but never seen.<span style=""> </span>Think about how many times you may have eaten fish sticks or fish and chips; now try to think about what cod or haddock look like. <span style=""> </span>Can you? <span style=""> </span>If that was an easy one for you, what about the deep-water coral and other benthic invertebrates often caught as bycatch? <span style=""> </span>As the animals we eat remain largely mysterious, we find the environment from which they came to be virtually unimaginable.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you decide to follow this blog as I share with you my journey as a graduate student through the world of deep-sea science, I hope that you will soon find yourself as enthralled with the deep sea as I am!<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Until next time,<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">E</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </p>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332018293106113343.post-899486677641898942011-02-06T14:56:00.000-08:002011-02-06T15:06:36.229-08:00I’m in McDonald’s…<style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal"> ...it’s different here I promise.<span style=""> </span>I’m not saying it’s healthier than back home—in fact, my Lonely Planet guidebook has blamed an influx of fast food for increasing problems with obesity and poor health here in New Zealand (sound familiar?)—but, it is NICER.<span style=""> </span>First of all, there are flat-screen-TVs playing David Bowie music videos throughout.<span style=""> </span>There’s even one near the play area so you can watch your kids AND David at the same time.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Did I come here for a supersized fries or maybe because I was cosmically driven towards the perpetually sexy pop icon and <i style="">Labyrinth</i> star?<span style=""> </span>No, I’m here because in my quest for free Wi-Fi in Wellington, one name pervades.<span style=""> </span>McDonald’s.<span style=""> </span>I was unaware of this development. <span style=""> </span>After a quick google, I discovered that it’s also<a href="http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/services/free_wifi.html"> happening in the states</a>.<span style=""> </span>So, keep an eye open if you’re looking for a wireless hook up.<span style=""> And if you're curious, I ordered a small coke.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">During a conversation last week I think I offended some Kiwis when I quickly shot down their implication that I might like Micky-D’s.<span style=""> </span>One could even say I scoffed.<span style=""> </span>Arrogantly.<span style=""> </span>So, in the interest of cultural exchange (roll eyes here), I thought I’d give it a try and see if the atmosphere could inspire my second blog post.<span style=""> </span>It seems to have done the trick. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">While writing the above paragraphs, David Bowie has transformed into Taylor Swift!<span style=""> </span>There is something for everyone here.<span style=""> </span>There’s even an orchid (fine, it’s probably fake, but still) over the pastry counter (yes, PASTRY COUNTER).<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, if you talk to someone from overseas and they engage you in a conversation about McDonald’s, just remember, it's different here. <span style=""></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Ellie <span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> PS: I apologize for the lack of pictures. I've tried to upload images for each of these first posts but for some reason they won't upload. Not sure how to fix this but I'll work on it.<br /></p>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332018293106113343.post-68308805623288248452011-02-02T02:01:00.000-08:002011-02-12T19:06:12.520-08:00Committing to the backwards roll<style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Wellington, NZ</p> <p class="MsoNormal">You’ve found me!<span style=""> </span>Welcome to “In an Octopus’s Garden,” version 2.0.<span style=""> </span>This blog initially appeared as a chronicle of my second summer at Woods Hole as a Summer Student Fellow (SSF) and is now accessible through the <a href="http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=36375">WHOI SSF website</a>. I'm now a graduate student in the Joint Program with WHOI/MIT.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I arrived tonight in Wellington, New Zealand as a <a href="http://fulbright.state.gov/">Fulbright</a> grant recipient.<span style=""> </span>This is the first of what I hope to be many entries this year.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The clearest analogy I can conjure to describe my state of mind is from my limited experience SCUBA diving.<span style=""> </span>I was certified in the spring of last year in Madagascar while volunteering with the British NGO <a href="http://www.reefdoctor.org/">Reef Doctor</a>.<span style=""> </span>One of the most challenging aspects of my dive training was getting used to the backwards roll—laugh all you will, it was a challenge for me.<span style=""> </span>For those of you unfamiliar, the backwards roll is one of a few ways you can enter the water from a dive boat.<span style=""> </span>First you perch, seated, on the edge of the boat in full gear—mask on, regulator in your mouth, tank strapped on and hanging off the side of the boat (abs flexed so as not to tumble backwards). Yes, it’s uncomfortable.<span style=""> </span>With your back to the sea, you try to breathe normally, and on the boat captain’s count you roll backwards to hit the water with your feet up.<span style=""> </span>In Madagascar, our boat captain Manjo would give a forceful “One….Two….Three……<span style=""> </span>Go!”<span style=""> </span>The “Go” always came out very short, a little late, and quite abrupt, propelling us off the boat and into the water.<span style=""> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">There are a few long seconds of disorientation before you right yourself and find the surface again.<span style=""> </span>I found this to be scary. But as with all things, it’s less scary if you truly commit to it and embrace its necessity. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">On Sunday night, I gathered with friends at my favorite bar near MIT in Cambridge, and celebrated my send-off. Starting on Monday afternoon, my five flights and many, many hours of travel represented a form of prolonged backwards roll.<span style=""> </span>To come is a scary but brief disorientation.<span style=""> </span>And, as is the case with every SCUBA experience I’ve had, the initial hurdle of tossing myself into the water will be followed by exploration, adventure, and wonderment.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The next couple entries will detail my impressions upon arrival, give you background into the research I plan to do while here and give you a chance to get to know me better. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am so excited to share my experiences with you—both personal and scientific—throughout this journey.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">One....Two....Three............<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Ellie </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05435125531145329881noreply@blogger.com0