From the beginning
of the field program on Georges Bank in 1994, Wiebe has donated
his time, talents, and considerable energies as chair of the
Georges Bank Executive Committee. He has coordinated scientists,
science projects, and cruise schedules; overseen data management
and integration of research results; convened workshops to disseminate
research findings; promoted GLOBEC in local, regional, and national
venues; and represented the GLOBEC Georges Bank program at international
meetings. He has also been instrumental in a pilot program to
involve local fishermen as full partners in the collection of
oceanographic data to support fisheries research (see Nature
386:108, 13 March 1997). His own research program has led to
significant advances in technology development for tracking zooplankton
distribution and abundances. While participating in the program
as an active scientist, Peter has consistently advocated a path
that was for the greatest good of the entire program, even if
his individual research project would suffer. He has wrestled
with budgetary shortfalls and logistic problems, and responded
with a good-humored enthusiasm that exemplifies his can-do attitude.
He has earned the highest level of respect and admiration from
his peers and collaborators. Dr. Rabalais is presently a team leader for a White House Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) assessment of the causes and consequences of the Gulf hypoxia. Dr. Rabalais was selected as part of the CENR assessment team because of her ability to provide the critical scientific information that is needed to begin the process of alleviating this major coastal problem. Dr. Rabalais has a distinguished reputation within the scientific community and is recognized as a leading authority in her field. Dr. Rabalais' investigations have provided and will continue to provide vital information of scientific and socioeconomic importance for not only the State of Louisiana, but in the broader effort to address the critical problem of nutrient enrichment that is affecting the nation's coasts. Dr. Donald Anderson, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, has been a strong advocate for harmful algal bloom (HAB) research and issues for more than twenty years. Dr. Anderson is recognized as one of the world's authorities on these problematic events which seriously impact coastal resources, local and regional economies, and public health throughout the world's oceans. Dr. Anderson serves on many national and international institutions, boards, and agencies to develop a global understanding of the serious consequences and potential remedies for the increasingly frequent, and debilitating HAB events. In the U.S. he is the nation's strongest voice for HAB issues, addressing public officials (e.g., Congress, agency staffs, and national boards), academic and federal researchers, private corporations, and policy makers for tate and health organizations on the impacts of U.S. coastal blooms. Dr. Anderson has been a leader in the research community toward developing the nation's first coordinated HAB research program. He has provided strong leadership and expertise in several reports on HAB issues, including: "Marine Biotoxins and Harmful Algae - A National Plan," "The Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (ECOHAB)," and was co-author for "Harmful Algal Blooms in Coastal Waters: Options for Prevention, Control and Mitigation", and "Status of U.S. Harmful Algal Blooms: Progress towards a National Program." Dr. Anderson's research activities include directing the National Office of Marine Biotoxins and Harmful Algae at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, providing national and international HAB information to the global community. Dr. Anderson also maintains one of the most productive HAB laboratories and field programs in the world, and has authored or co-authored well over 100 peer reviewed publications on ths topic. Without Dr. Anderson's leadership and commitment to HABs, the U.S. national HAB program would not exist and our comprehension of this global problem would not exist. Donald Anderson is a true HAB Hero and is most deserving of our recognition as a national leader. John R. Russell,
a retired chemist, has been a tireless volunteer since
1997 for NOAA's Center for Fisheries and Habitat Research at Beaufort,
North Carolina. Russell has dedicated himself to assisting Beaufort
scientists in several important studies on marine mammals and enironmental
conditions off the North Carolina coast. His skills have been particularly
useful in operating and maintaining Beaufort's small research boats used to
collect data. Without his help, some of the field research would not have
been completed.
Russell has also assisted Beaufort staff in responding to the
approximately 100 marine mammal strandings reported in North Carolina each
year. These beach-cast specimens offer a wealth of information about food
habits, reproductive history, or cause of death. Stranding response
requires a large number of trained volunteers and Mr. Russell is now
heavily relied upon by Beaufort scientists to assist in collecting tissue
samples, completing data forms and transporting, archiving, and storage of
marine mammal specimens.
In short, Russell has become a treasured stranding team volunteer for
his more than 75 days of dedicated assistance. His tireless enthusiasm for
the work at hand and his willingness to participate in any task is helping
to improve the understanding of marine mammals in North Carolina coastal
waters.
Russell has also assisted Laboratory employees in responding to marine mammal strandings. More than 100 marine mammal strandings are reported each year in North Carolina. These beach-cast specimens offer a wealth of information about food habits, reproductive history, or cause of death, but also require a large number of trained volunteers. He quickly learned tissue sample collection techniques and how to complete data forms. Willing to aid in the necropsy, transport, archival, storage, and disposal of marine mammal parts, he has become a treasured stranding team volunteer. By rearranging
his personal schedule, Russell has been available to help on
more than 75 days. His tireless enthusiasm for the work at hand
and his willingness to participate in any task, even the monotonous
and thankless ones, have enabled us to do our job more effectively.
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