Featured Scientist

Geerat Vermeij UC Davis, Distinguished Professor, Earth and Planetary Sciences

Posted on October 26th, 2020

The Whole World at his Fingertips

When we filmed Evolutionary Biologist Geerat (Gary) Vermeij for Shape of Life we were awed by how he could tell us so much about a shell by feeling the shape, the texture, the bumps and even the repairs. Blind since age three, Gary studies the form and function of molluscs in a completely unique way – using his figertips. He says his parents encouraged him to explore the natural world. His blindness was not a disability in exploring the world around him; it made him sharpen his other senses.

 

 

Cristina Diaz, Affiliated Faculty, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Fort Pierce, Florida

Posted on September 22nd, 2020

Dr. Cristina Diaz has become famous in marine science circles for being the “sponge scientist” in the video on Shape of Life. Her love of sponges has taken her all over the world as a “freelance” biologist. Cristina says about sponges: "They are beautiful. They're original. They're mysterious. They are hundreds of millions of years old, yet they are still found all over the planet, in every sea."

Dr. Kelly Kryc, Director, Marine Conservation Policy and Leadership , Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, the New England Aquarium

Posted on May 4th, 2020

The Curious Path to Conservation Policy

It’s a really good thing (for all of us!), that Kelly ignored the discouraging messages she received in high school.

“I didn’t plan on becoming a scientist. In fact, in high school I was told I wasn’t smart enough to pursue science. Worse, I believed it. That was before I made the connection between science and how much I love being in nature.”

George Matsumoto

Posted on January 27th, 2020

Senior Education and Research Specialist, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

How does a guy, wanting little more than to scuba dive in the ocean as a college student, discover a new species of comb jellies (ctenophores)!?

Discover how George’s expertise (and mad diving skills) continue to enrich our understanding of the world of ctenophores.

Kasie Regnier, Director of Applied Water Science, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Posted on November 14th, 2019

Although Kasie didn’t really like chemistry in school-- “I hated Chemistry!”--  she knew that water quality has a huge impact on how animals survive in different environments. We feel incredibly fortunate to have Kasie’s innovative and energetic approach to sustaining water quality at our prized Monterey Bay Aquarium.

 

Learn more about Kasie’s long and winding road to our beautiful backyard. 

Chuck Baxter, Naturalist

Posted on May 10th, 2019

The Resounding Impact of Chuck Baxter

Chuck Baxter has a long history of inspiring thousands of outdoor nature enthusiasts including his students, scientists, even US! It was Chuck’s vision that motivated our production of the original PBS series, The Shape of Life. Before that, Chuck was one of the founders of the Monterey Bay Aquarium where his vision led to many of the exhibits. When you consider these outlets alone, it’s difficult to quantify how many lives Chuck has enriched through his appreciation of the natural world.

Kelly Benoit-Bird

Posted on December 18th, 2018

Senior Scientist,  Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

Following Her Passion -- A Really Sound Decision

A little girl from Connecticut takes a trip to Sea World. She is captivated by the killer whales and dolphins. Especially the sounds they make and its role in marine life survival.  From that point on, Kelly knew she would make a career out of the sounds in the ocean. As a fourth grader, Kelly wasn’t exactly sure how she would do this-- but, boy oh boy, she figured it out.

Dr. James Barry, Sr. Scientist, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)

Posted on May 31st, 2018

Behind Every Great Scientist is a Teacher with a Strong Message

How does a kid from Missouri become an award-winning scientist who specializes in animals living in the bottom of the ocean? “It wasn’t until I was in community college that I was jolted into actually applying myself. I had a teacher who told me I ‘made him sick’ because I got decent grades with such little effort”, chuckled Jim. “I mean, he had a point. I was basically surfing and goofing off.”

Jim applied himself all the way to his PhD from Scripps Institute of Oceanography and today instills a natural curiosity about the ocean with his engaging presence.

What We Can Learn from a Green Ninja

Posted on February 9th, 2018

Everyone thinks about the carbon footprint of their favorite burrito, right? Maybe not—BUT!… Dr. Eugene Cordero, a self-proclaimed “burrito connoisseur,” certainly does. And, he makes it fun for middle school science students to think about the footprint of all kinds of things.

Find out more about how Dr. Cordero turned his love of science and Climate Science Education into an innovative online resource that empowers kids to fight climate change.