Experts Matter. Find Yours.

Baylor Biology Professor Travels To Antarctica To Study Leopard Seals As Part Of NSF-Funded Research

As part of an $800,000 National Science Foundation-funded project, Stephen J. Trumble, Ph.D., associate professor of biology at Baylor, and other experienced Antarctica researchers from the University of California, Santa Cruz and Colorado State University will work to gain an understanding of the foraging ecology and physiology of the leopard seal, an Antarctic apex, or top, predator. “This three-year project will collect data on foraging and dive behavior, diet, habitat use and fuel use in leopard seals,” Trumble said. “Ultimately, the goal is to relate foraging behavior with physiological performance and determine physiological limits. The estimated physiological limits combined with habitat modeling will help us understand how leopard seals may respond and cope with a changing Antarctic environment.” Trumble and his fellow researchers will conduct their research at the remote Cape Shirreff Field Station on Livingston Island, relying on 55-years of combined experience and lights to navigate the terrain in the dark while searching for leopard seals. A vertebrate physiologist and expert in marine mammals, Trumble has made his fair share of national research headlines since he began working at Baylor in 2008. Along with his graduate students in his Laboratory of Ecological and Adaptational Physiology (LEAP), Dr. Trumble investigates and publishes on basic and applied research involving skeletal muscle physiology, organismal energetics, lipid biochemistry, digestive physiology and health indices in models ranging from rats to seals to whales. Source:

World Oceans Day and #OceanOptimism

Today, people around the globe are celebrating World Oceans Day, and discussing how we can all work together to make them cleaner, healthier and more sustainable. On Monday, a five-day long United Nations conference kicked off in New York. Rising sea levels, marine resources, pollution, sustainable development, and ocean degradation were just some of the key issues being discussed. Can our oceans recover? How bad is it and how did it get to this point? That’s where the experts at Cedar Crest College can help. John A. Cigliano is a Professor of Biology and an expert in marine conservation. Recently, he delivered a lectured titled "#OceanOptimism: Why It Is Not Too Late." Dr. Cigliano says despite the issues currently facing our oceans, he doesn't believe they are doomed. He can draw on success stories from around the world as well as his own research conducted with Cedar Crest College students to illustrate that point, and to outline what we can all do to help. Dr. John Cigliano is available to speak with media regarding World Oceans Day or any topic related to marine conservation, ecology and the ocean. Simply click his icon to arrange an interview. Source:

Nanotechnology is huge - is it the way of the future?

Earlier this week, the International Nanotechnology and Conference took place in Tokyo, Japan. Thousands of researchers, scientists and academics attended from around the world to discuss advances in the field, applications and how nanotechnology is transforming and shaping our world for the future. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study and application of extremely small things and can be used across all the other science fields, such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials science and engineering. It's the stuff once only seen in movies and books. Science fiction is now reality. But what will it mean for the public, for academics and for business? The benefits seem extraordinary, but what are the cautions or consequences? Like stem cells, there was much ethical, moral and scientific concerns about their use. Today, science and how we approach the human body has been radically changed because of that research. Will nanotechnology transform the scientific world in the same way? As well, what are the economic benefits? Will we one day just see nanotechnology as an everyday occurrence in our regular lives? There are a lot of questions and this is where Missouri State University's experts can help. We have two experts who can speak to media regarding this very interesting field of research: Dr. Adam Wanekaya's research focuses on the fabrication, modification, characterization and application of nanoscale materials. He also works on integrating these materials into functional devices with specific applications in chemical sensing, biomedical sensing and remediation of heavy metals and other toxins from the environment. Dr. Robert Mayanovic works on investigating the physical and chemical properties of primarily nanophase materials in extreme environments. Both professors will be able to explain the field of nanotechnology and how it is shaping the future of technology, healthcare and the world we live in. Simply click on either of their icons to arrange an interview. Source: