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Real-life story - Dr Patrick White
Patrick retired from general practice in the autumn of 2014 and now works 28 hours per week as a clinical senior lecturer, leading health improvement research projects, recruiting and supervising new GP academics, and providing education to academics-in-training.
Dr Patrick White
Clinical senior lecturer
King's College London, Department of Primary Care and Public Health Sciences
Over £65K
The opportunity to seek solutions for clinical and epidemiological challenges, to collaborate with colleagues who share my passions, and to inspire and motivate young aspiring clinicians make this a job and a career from which I have no ambition to retire.
After my undergraduate training in Ireland I became a GP trainee in Scotland where I first developed an interest in research and published a paper about the care of epilepsy in general practice. It took around five years after registration to feel clinically confident and competent. After moving to London in the early eighties I undertook a Primary Care Research Fellowship at St George's Hospital School of Medicine whilst working as a GP. Initially I spent eight hours per week carrying out a trial of GP education in asthma care, and seeking new research grants. Later, I doubled my academic hours, becoming a lecturer in general practice and primary care at King's College Hospital School of Medicine until I took up my current position at King's College, London. My qualifications include: MB, ChB, BAO, MRCP, FRCGP, MD.
There are three main elements to my work. Firstly I lead a research programme in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the modern umbrella-term for the smoking-related diseases of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. My interest in COPD research lies in understanding the causes, effects and patterns of the disease (that is, its epidemiology) and in how patients can be best helped to improve their quality of life and life expectancy. To do this it's necessary to design new projects and seek research grants from funding bodies such as the NHS National Institute of Health Research and charities such as the Dunhill Medical Trust. Putting together research teams to undertake the research, and then writing up the findings for publication is often the climax of years of development of an idea.
The second element of my work involves the recruitment of new GP academics into the department as academic registrars and clinical fellows. I am responsible for their management as they progress through their training. Linked to this is the supervision of students undertaking their Master's degree in Public Health. Thirdly I am involved with teaching including contributing to the Master's degree in Palliative Care (within the Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Policy).
My current research is an attempt to find ways to improve access to treatment for COPD patients. We recently started an experiment in which we use lay health workers - volunteer patients who themselves have completed a pulmonary rehabilitation programme - to help patients overcome any barriers that may be preventing them from participating. We work closely with the Royal Society for Public Health, and we collaborate in this research with colleagues in a number of academic departments in King's and in other universities. Another area of my research concerns the overprescribing of high-dose inhaled corticosteroids to treat COPD. In this experiment we withdraw inappropriately prescribed drugs and measure the effects on patients.
My role within the Department of Primary Care and Public Health Sciences is as an academic. My interest is primary care and public health. Clinicians in primary care get far less exposure to academic work in primary care and in public health than do those in other medical disciplines.
Attracting young doctors into the academic world of primary care and public health is therefore a challenge. It is essential to give them the opportunity to experience the challenges, pleasure and joy of research at the earliest possible moment if they are to see the potential for an academic career in primary care or public health. If they can get the opportunity to form a research question, complete a project and publish their work, they may catch the bug!
What is great about this role is the opportunity to use your imagination, to explore fascinating questions, and to construct a framework into which a research question can be placed. To then develop the research with colleagues and to work with other teams and organisations who share that vision provides the opportunity for a great deal of fun.
Next Real-life Story


Police investigating Michael Jackson's death looked into his medical treatment Friday, seeking to interview one of the pop king's doctors and seizing a car that they said may contain drugs or other evidence.
As medical examiners began an autopsy on Jackson, police towed a BMW from rented home "because it may contain medications or other evidence that may assist the coroner in determining the cause of death," police spokeswoman Karen Rayner said.
She said the car belongs to one of Jackson's doctors whom police wanted to interview. Rayner said she did not know the doctor's identity and stressed the doctor was not under criminal investigation.
In a 911 call released by fire officials, a caller reports Jackson was on a bed and not breathing or responding to CPR. The unidentified caller said Jackson was with his personal doctor at the time.
The pop star died later Thursday afternoon at UCLA Medical Center.
As stores reported they were inundated with orders for Jackson's music, a chorus of grief for the megastar spread around the world, from statesmen to icons of music to legions of heartbroken fans.
"The world is in shock but somehow he knew exactly how his fate would be played out some day more than anyone else knew, and he was right," she wrote in a long, emotional statement on her MySpace page online.
Brian Oxman, a former Jackson attorney and a family friend, said Friday he had been concerned about Jackson's use of painkillers and had warned the singer's family about possible abuse.
After Jackson was acquitted on child molestation charges in 2005, prosecutors argued against returning to Jackson items including syringes, the drug Demerol and prescriptions for various drugs, mainly antibiotics, in different people's names.
Jackson was preparing for a monster comeback bid — a series of 50 concerts that was to begin next month in London.
A handful of bleary-eyed fans camped out throughout the night with media outside the Jackson family house in the San Fernando Valley and near his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. People heading to work in New York stopped to pay respects outside Harlem's Apollo Theater, where Jackson performed as a child.
A producer said Sunday's BET Awards would be dedicated to Jackson because of his influence on music and pop culture. And a screening of Universal Pictures' "Bruno" in Los Angeles on Thursday night cut a scene involving Jackson's sister La Toya.
Jackson's death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music's premier all-around performer. His 1982 album "Thriller" — which included the blockbuster hits "Beat It," "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" — is the best-selling album of all time worldwide.
Yet after selling more than 61 million albums in the U.S. and having a decade-long attraction open at Disney theme parks, Jackson died reportedly awash in about 400 million in debt, on the cusp of a final comeback after well over a decade of scandal.
Jackson ranked alongside Presley and the Beatles as the biggest pop sensations of all time. He united two of music's biggest names when he was briefly married to Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie. Jackson's sudden death immediately evoked comparisons to that of Presley himself, who died at age 42 in 1977.
After the enormous success of "Thriller," Jackson had strong follow-up albums with 1987's "Bad" and 1991's "Dangerous," but his career began to collapse in 1993 after he was accused of molesting a boy who often stayed at his home.
The singer denied any wrongdoing, reached a settlement with the boy's family, reported to be 20 million, and criminal charges were never filed.


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Mumbai Outdoor activities
Our most recommended Mumbai Outdoor activities
1. Mumbai: Slumdog Millionaire Tour of Dharavi Slum
Explore the Dharavi Slum, the largest slum located in a megacity in Asia. The slum is now famous thanks to the Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire". The tour will open your eyes to this bustling area of small businesses and a thriving community. Start the journey by meeting your guide at Dharavi, and experiencing the everyday happenings of this unique area. Numerous small businesses are thriving in every corner, making anything from exotic soaps and handmade cosmetics, to pottery and textiles. Throughout the walking tour, benefit from being a small group. Stroll easily through the narrow alleys and see how locals live their life here. You'll have a chance to interact with many people in the community. You'll also learn how the local recycling industry works. You'll also be amazed at how diverse Dharavi is, with many different traditions and beliefs gathered in the same place. Your 2-hour tour will end at a pottery factory, where you can ask the guide to get you a taxi. You can also add on a vegetarian meal in a local family's home if you would like to stay in the slum a bit longer.
2. Mumbai: Ethical Dharavi Walking Tour with Options
Known to many as one of the largest slums in Asia, Dharavi is Mumbai's beating heart. Home to about one million of Mumbai's inhabitants, its industries have an annual turnover of approximately $ 1 Billion. Learn the challenges of migrants as they settled into this community, their entrepreneurial stories and how to debunk the negative stereotypes of slums. For more insight, opt to have lunch as a family opens their home to you or go on a street walk tour to explore art. This walking tour takes care to be non-intrusive and community centric. Contrary to sensationalist media and films, Dharavi is an area of entrepreneurship, an estimated 20,000 businesses thrive here. Observe recycling, pottery-making, embroidery, bakery, soap making, leather tanning, poppadom-making and many more. Climb to a rooftop to get a view of the entire settlement. Navigate through the maze-like alleys and stop to talk to friendly locals. The tour will also visit the residential areas of Dharavi. People from all over India have come to live in Dharavi, making it a microcosm of India. This diversity is apparent in the temples, mosques, churches and pagodas that stand side by side. 80% of the profits from this tour are re-invested in educational community initiatives.
3. Elephanta Caves: Private Half-Day Tour from Mumbai
Start the day with an optional pickup from your hotel or meet your guide at the Gateway of India. First take the ferry to Elephanta Caves, which is a must-see destination for history buffs or archaeology aficionados. After an hour-long ferry ride, climb 120 steps to the plateau where these caves can be entered. Dive into the history behind the artifacts and structures found in seven major excavation sites. Enter the hall, a masterpiece of 6th-century architecture which is supported by huge pillars. Explore 3 caves and learn interesting facts about India's religious history. Each cave is has a unique feature: one is a large Hindu Cave, the other is a Buddhist cave, and the final cave is dedicated to the God Shiva, with an immense, three-headed Shiva sculpture. After the Elephanta Caves, you'll go back to Mumbai by ferry. If you've opted for the accommodation option, you will be dropped back off at your specified address.
4. Mumbai: Private Day Tour with Elephanta Caves
Explore Mumbai's most stunning locations and tourist attractions in this eight-hour tour with an English speaking guide. Start the day with a pickup and head towards the gateway of India for the ferry to Elephanta Caves. Enjoy the must-see destination for history lovers. After an-hour ferry ride climb 120 steps to the plateau where the caves can be entered. There are seven major excavations in the area, and you'll be able to explore the history behind the artifacts and structures found inside. Explore the hall which is supported by huge pillars and this masterpiece of 6th-century architecture. Discover 3 caves and learn about India's religious history. Each cave has a unique feature: one is a large Hindu Cave, the other is a Buddhist cave, and the final one is a cave dedicated to the God Shiva with a massive three-headed Shiva sculpture. After the Elephanta Caves, go back to explore Mumbai, starting with the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the Gate Way of India. Head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site and see the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Train Station. Continue towards Crawford Market, a British era market that has been standing for over a century and a great place to see an array of spices. Visit Mahatma Gandhi's residence (Mani Bhavan) and head to Malabar Hill to witness the Banganga water tank and take a breathtaking view of the Queen's Necklace below at Kamala Nehru Park. On your way back see another spectacular panorama along the marine drive and visit a temple in Mumbai. Before ending the tour take a train ride with the Mumbai train and experience what the locals call the lifeline of Mumbai. Your guide shows you Dhobighat, a colorful landmark outdoor laundry where hundreds of workers wash and dry huge quantities of clothing. Your tour will end by driving back to your hotel by taking all the extraordinary memories along with you.
To start off your tour of Elephanta island, choose a pickup time that fits your schedule, though it's best to get an early morning start. Take a beautiful, hour-long ferry ride across the bay from Mumbai to Elephanta Island, and begin your exploration of a labyrinth of caves, temples, and shrines with your own private guide. An elaborate system of man-made caves cut directly into solid basaltic mountains, the Elephanta Caves were used as sacred places of Hindu and Buddhist worship starting in the 5th to 7th century. Amble through the vast columns and arched colonnades, gazing at elaborately carved sacred shrines to deities. The main cave, otherwise known as the Shiva Cave, contains numerous carvings depicting various aspects of Lord Shiva including his wedding, his slaying of Andhaka, and more. The most significant sculpture in the cave is the 20-foot-tall, three-headed Shiva, known as the Trimurti. Other wings of the caves have shrines dedicated to Shiva's sons, Kartikeya and Ganesh, with similarly spectacular carved statues. All the while, enjoy insightful commentary from a local guide, expert in the history of the Elephanta Caves, as well as Hinduism and Buddhism as a whole. After touring the magnificent island, you will be ferried back to the harbor. From there, your driver will drop you back at your hotel, marking the end of a memorable tour through over 1,500 years of history.
Mumbai: Slumdog Millionaire Tour of Dharavi Slum
Mumbai: Ethical Dharavi Walking Tour with Options
2.5 - 3.5 hours
Elephanta Caves: Private Half-Day Tour from Mumbai
4.5 - 5 hours
Mumbai: Private Day Tour with Elephanta Caves
Mumbai: Morning Bicycle Tour
Mumbai: Elephanta Island and Mumbai City Tour
Mumbai: Morning Marine Drive Bicycle Tour with Breakfast
Mumbai: Ancient Elephanta Caves Tour w/ Ride of Toy Train
From Mumbai: Kanheri Cave Half-Day Tour
Dharavi Walking Tour with Options (Private)
From Mumbai: Full-Day Elephanta Caves Tour
Sagar Gad: Full-Day Hill Fort Trekking from Mumbai
Mumbai: Private 2-Day City and Elephanta Island Tour
Dharavi: Street Art Walking Tour
Mumbai: Private Full-Day City Tour
Top Attractions in Mumbai
1 Sanjay Gandhi National Park
2 Mumbai Film City
3 Gateway of India
4 The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
5 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
6 Elephanta Caves
7 Mani Bhavan
8 Elephanta Island
9 CST Train Station
10 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
11 Crawford Market
12 Colaba
13 Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
14 Banganga Tank
15 Haji Ali Dargah
16 Chor Bazaar
17 Kanheri Caves
18 Babulnath Temple
19 Dhobhi Ghat
20 Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
Things to Do in Mumbai
1 Mumbai Small group activities
2 Mumbai Guided tours
3 Mumbai Neighborhood tours
4 Mumbai Outdoor activities
5 Mumbai Architecture
6 Mumbai Tours
7 Mumbai Meet the locals
8 Mumbai Activities
9 Mumbai Landmarks & monuments
10 Mumbai Day trips
11 Mumbai Walking tours
13 Mumbai UNESCO sites
14 Mumbai Photography tours
16 Mumbai Good for groups
17 Mumbai TV & movie tours
18 Mumbai Boats & yachts
19 Mumbai Private tours
20 Mumbai Cave tours
1 New Delhi
2 Jaipur
3 Agra
4 Kochi
5 Bangalore
6 Jodhpur
7 Varanasi
8 Udaipur
9 Kolkata
10 Anjuna
11 Hyderabad
12 Chennai
13 Mahabalipuram
14 Aurangabad
15 Munnar
16 Ahmedabad
17 Hampi
18 Pushkar
19 Rishikesh
20 Pune
Other Sightseeing Options in Mumbai
Want to discover all there is to do in Mumbai? Click here for a full list.
What people are saying about Mumbai
The guide was excellent really informative and interesting. This tour divides opinion but we decided to do it and don't regret it at all. Certainly an education!
Mumbai: Slumdog Millionaire Tour of Dharavi Slum Reviewed by Anna, 1/3/2023
Guides were great! they give you the option of extending the tour at the end, and most people took it. Really educational and eye opening! Highly recommended!
Mumbai: Slumdog Millionaire Tour of Dharavi Slum Reviewed by Daniel, 12/31/2022
Highly recommend this tour company (and our guide, Swathi). Thoughtful, informative, engaging and well-paced. We will be following Reality Tours in future.
Mumbai: Ethical Dharavi Walking Tour with Options Reviewed by Sarah, 12/30/2022
Our guide Daivat was amazing, very friendly, helpful, great English and explained all about the caves history. We would recommend!
Elephanta Caves: Private Half-Day Tour from Mumbai Reviewed by Paula, 1/5/2023
We had a great time on the tour. The guides were very knowledgeable and help with all our needs.
Mumbai: Private Day Tour with Elephanta Caves Reviewed by Rakesh, 1/6/2023

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Q: splitting an exml file into smaller files the xml file contains information about movies. how do i split the xml file into smaller files? ( so each small file is a separate movie)

A: Without knowing the details, here is a broad outline of a possible approach:

*

*Parse the XML using a suitable library (BeautifulSoup, lxml etc.)

*Find the element corresponding to each movie. This can be done using a plain findAll or may require using an XPATH expression.

*Pretty print the subtree starting corresponding to each movie element into separate files.

Of course a more detailed answer is not possible unless you post some sample XML and provide more details.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Osteoporosis is an epidemic afflicting millions of aging individuals worldwide.
VCFs are just what they sound like: fractures of spinal vertebrae under compressive load.
Most commonly, VCFs occur in patients with osteoporosis or some forms of cancer.
Broken bones are typically treated using orthopedic principles of fracture management. The aim is to reduce (i.e., restore a normal anatomical shape) and fix (i.e., immobilize the fracture to allow healing) the fracture. This can be easily accomplished via manipulation and casting for long bones of the arm or leg. Vertebral bones pose a greater challenge due to the anatomy, such as the irregular shape and size of the vertebra and their proximity to the spinal cord.
Balloon kyphoplasty* (BKP) is an innovative interventional procedure for treating VCFs. Performed with the patient under conscious sedation (awake but sedated), a small skin incision is made and a cannula is inserted through a pedicle into the vertebral body under fluoroscopic guidance.
A manual drill creates space for a balloon to be inserted into the vertebral body, with two radio-opaque marker bands indicating the balloon location within the vertebra.
The balloon is inflated with radio-opaque contrast liquid under fluoroscopic visualization to monitor the inflation pattern within the vertebra. The omnidirectional balloon expansion lifts the endplates and restores the anatomical shape of the vertebra. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving behind a void. This void is filled with bone cement, which acts as an internal cast to stabilize the fracture.
Access to the fractured vertebral body is made with small diameter stainless steel tools (i.e., a solid rod stylet and a cannulated working channel). A cannula is placed through each pedicle for bilateral access.
Inflatable bone tamps (IBTs) are placed through the cannulas and inflated to reduce the fracture. Once the desired reduction is achieved, the IBTs are deflated and removed, leaving behind a void.
The resulting void is filled with bone cement, which acts as an internal cast to stabilize the fracture.


We just got back from a wonderful trip to Athens (more posts to follow). While we were there, we had some family photos taken by the amazingly talented Melissa Pepin. We had a great time shooting with her on the porch at Two Story Coffee and then walking around between rainstorms. Our little boy loved walking through the puddles!
She put a handful of photos up on her blog, which you can check out HERE.


Situated within the scenic parkland of Lardos, the Palm Bay Hotel Studios offers comfortable accommodation and a full range of facilities, such as a sun tanning bed, a terrace and a swimming pool. It offers panoramic countryside views and 4-star rooms.
Amenities at the Palm Bay Hotel Studios include internet, a safe and parking.
Guests are able to enjoy large rooms with beautiful bay views.
The Palm Bay Hotel Studios has an on-site restaurant, perfect for guests preferring to eat in.


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Casey Arborway changes: Funding, busway, parking
by John Ruch • October 11, 2013 • 0 Comments
As the Casey Arborway design nears a release for construction bids, the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is seeking new funding sources, redesigning a Forest Hills T Station busway, and planning permanent replacement parking at the Arborway Yard.
The crumbling Casey Overpass, which the Casey Arborway surface streets eventually will replace, underwent emergency repaving last weekend following complaints of cars being damaged on potholes. The work snarled traffic and reportedly will be the last such repaving before the overpass's demolition, slated for next spring.
A final meeting of the project's Design Advisory Group (DAG) will be scheduled for later this month, according to MassDOT. Construction bids are expected to go out by roughly mid-November.
Alternate funding
The Casey Arborway is being funded through the state's Accelerated Bridge Program (ABP), dedicated to fixing crumbling bridges. MassDOT is now seeking alternate funding for parts of the project to free up ABP funds for other bridges, according to spokesperson Michael Verseckes.
The funding move is sparking confusion. State Rep. Liz Malia and Bernie Doherty, head of the Asticou-Martinwood-South Street Neighborhood Association, both told the Gazette that a MassDOT representative said that it turns out that ABP funds legally cannot be used on Casey project "mitigations" that don't directly include the roadway, including T station work, at a Sept. 18 neighborhood association meeting.
"They did say that," Malia said. "My recollection is, he said, 'We're not allowed to use Accelerated Bridge money [for mitigations]."
Verseckes said he could not explain what happened at the meeting, which he did not attend, but clearly stated to the Gazette, "Accelerated Bridge Program funding can be used for all aspects of this project."
But, Verseckes said, MassDOT is going through a "fiscal exercise" of seeking alternate funds for mitigation work to free up ABP funds for other bridges. That funding could come from existing state road and bridge money, or from new allocations in the state transportation budget, he said. However, he could not specify amounts or programs, and Malia said that is troubling.
"How much money and which program are you taking it away from?" Malia asked, adding that she had not heard any discussion of such funding in the Legislature. She also expressed concerns about mitigations possibly going over budget with no clear funding sources to complete them.
Upper busway changes
The "upper busway," or large bus stop area, along South Street at the T station has been redesigned several times to add a new stop for the relocated Route 39 bus and to block headlights that could shine into the Asticou-Martinwood neighborhood across the street.
A new design was released at the Sept. 18 neighborhood association meeting, which was not publicized. The design includes a large wall, topped by plantings, to block light.
It also reduces the number of bus "bays," or passenger platforms, from three to two. A year ago, a third bay was added to the plan as supposedly necessary to handle the 39 bus. But, MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo told the Gazette, the current plan will work for the T.
"Bus Operations [staff] has examined, and approved, the design plan," Pesaturo said in an email. "In fact, it's the opinion of Bus Operations that the design is much improved over the three-platform layout" because of better pedestrian safety, better canopy coverage for passengers, and a more direct exit approach.
Despite having fewer bays, the design still takes up the same amount of space, including the elimination of some T station employee parking.
The total construction cost estimate—which Doherty complained was unclear at the meeting—is $7 million, according to Verseckes.
Doherty said many residents likely would approve of the redesign itself, but that there is confusion and concern over the funding and whether it actually will be built as planned or at all. He said residents requested another meeting, but that MassDOT declined.
The Route 39 is one of the T's busiest bus lines and some community members have expressed concerns about service impacts of moving its terminus from New Washington Street to the upper busway. MassDOT and the MBTA have said there will be no significant impact.
But Malia and Doherty raised further concern about yet another busway change so late in the process in a design that, Doherty said, was described as "hot out of the oven."
"We're talking about a major transit hub," Malia said.
Arborway Yard parking
A lingering question mark in the Casey Arborway plan is the fate of roughly 105 parking spaces beneath the overpass used by employees of the West Roxbury District Courthouse. The Gazette has learned further details of a plan to put some of those spaces permanently at the MBTA's Arborway Yard bus facility.
The current plan is to relocate 65 parking spaces to the Arborway Yard, on the other side of the Arborway, with the rest of parking spaces not replaced. The selected area is a space currently used to chip wood that has been quarantined for possible infestation by the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). If JP remains free of ALB sightings, the quarantine and wood-chipping are slated to end early next year.
Using the Arborway for courthouse employee parking is both the "short- and long-term plan," Verseckes said.
It is unclear how that will play into long-stalled plans to build a permanent, full-scale MBTA bus garage and adjacent mixed-used redevelopment at the Arborway Yard site.
Parking for courthouse jurors will remain on-street adjacent to the courthouse at 445 Arborway, Verseckes said.
← [email protected] group to help seniors live at home
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BIENNIAL REPORT 2016-2017
Celebrating 50 Years of Making Scientific Research Count at Stony Brook University!
50MASstories
Endowed Professorships
Dean's Council
Institutes and Facilities
Publications and Grants
The stories below highlight the ways we celebrated our 50th Anniversary at Stony Brook University. Some of the stories showcase the key events we celebrated throughout the year, like our major presence at Earthstock and our Risk of Saying Nothing Event. Other stories tackle the elements of our history that have always been right before our eyes, like the history of our building names, or the artwork contained within. There are even a couple of anchor stories, one related to the white anchor right outside Discovery Hall, and the other near the R/V Seawolf Dock in Port Jefferson. Other stories provide great memories of time spent in the field or inspiring the community.
Celebrating 50 Years With The Risk Of Saying Nothing
Photo above: At the keynote for our "Risk of Saying Nothing" environmental media conference, five Deans stand with proclamations from local government officials. From left, Valerie Cartright, Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman, Dr. Malcolm Bowman, Dr. Minghua Zhang, Dr. J. Kirk Cochran, Dr. Larry Swanson, Dr. Jerry Schubel, Kara Hahn, Suffolk County Legislature, and Brookhaven Town Supervisor Edward P. Romaine
Our 50th Anniversary celebration, "The Risk of Saying Nothing," occurred on Friday October 13th and Saturday October 14th, 2017. The event corresponded with Stony Brook University's Homecoming Celebration, Wolfstock and provided SoMAS a great opportunity to partner with the Stony Brook University Alumni Association. The two-day event highlighted the great accomplishments of SoMAS/MSRC over the last half century as well as provided an opportunity to look toward the next 50 years.
The morning session was held in the Seminar Room in Endeavour Hall and featured a wide variety of speakers from the University.
Interim Dean Larry Swanson kicked things off by welcoming everyone to the event and introducing the return of former Dean and Director Jerry Schubel and his wife Margaret. Larry also took a moment to dedicate the event to Robert de Zafra, who "died peacefully in his sleep" on October 10, 2017 after fighting pneumonia. He then introduced the first speaker, Dr. Malcolm Bowman.
Dr. Malcolm Bowman gave a brief history of SoMAS/MSRC with his talk "SoMAS: This Is Your Life!" The complete SoMAS Timeline is available with all the details. His presentation highlighted the key players who helped earn MSRC and SoMAS the reputation it now has. He also discussed the origins of our buildings on South Campus–they are named after ships, not the space shuttles!
The Dean of the School of Journalism and close friend to many at SoMAS, Howard Schneider, gave a talk about the "Fake News Invasion" and how to fight fake news. He highlighted several key items, including the Center for News Literacy's online course on "Making Sense of the News" that helps fight the spread of fake news. He also discussed how a joint collaboration between SoMAS and the School of Journalism started by students in the Stony Brook Meteorology Club gave SoMAS students in the ATM program an opportunity to gain broadcast experience. One of the first graduates of this collaboration, Andrew Samet, went to WTOK TV in Meridian, MS as their TV meteorologist and stayed on the air through the recent hurricanes in the area!
Dr. Christine O'Connell, an Assistant Professor in the School of Journalism and a SoMAS alum, gave a talk on the "Communication and Connection in Science." Her interactive talk had everyone out of their seats participating and highlighted the importance of making meaningful and appropriate connections to anyone listening to you speak about your science.
Dr. David Taylor, an Assistant Professor in Sustainability Studies at SoMAS, gave a talk on "The Curious Place for Poetry in Environmental Communication" and reminded the audience that poetry has been a part of our history and is still an important resource in the connections and communication of science.
Dr. Minghua Zhang, Professor and former Dean of SoMAS and currently the Editor-in-Chief of JGR-Atmospheres, gave a talk on "The Path Toward Open Access Publications." His talk highlighted the rise of fake and predatory journals and the efforts done to expose them, including Beall's list.
Dr. Heidi Hutner, Director of the Sustainability Studies program and Associate Professor, gave a talk on "Environmental Communication – Writing, Media and the Arts" that showcased a variety of ways people have communicated environmental issues. Her talk highlighted activism through music and artwork as well as cinema and documentary film making.
The afternoon session moved to the Charles B. Wang Center on Main Campus, where former Dean and Director and current President and CEO of the Aquarium of the Pacific Jerry Schubel gave the keynote talk. His talk "Making Scientific Research Count for the Next 50 Years; Some Thoughts" highlighted the history of MSRC and touched on the work that Dr. Schubel has done in his time since his tenure at Stony Brook University. A short film highlighted the variety of media utilized at the Aquarium of the Pacific to communicate science and engage visitors.
After Dr. Schubel's talk, Interim Dean Larry Swanson accepted two proclamations from Kara Hahn of the Suffolk County Legislature, and Brookhaven Town Supervisor Edward P. Romaine. Hahn, Romaine and Valerie Cartright, Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman gave remarks about the impact that SoMAS has had on the local community. After the remarks, the group was joined by the other former Deans in the audience for a group photo.
The reception afterwards at Club Red was co-hosted by the Stony Brook University Alumni Association. SoMAS Interim Dean Larry Swanson, Alumni Association Director Matt Colson and Stony Brook University Provost Michael Bernstein thanked everyone for joining the celebration of our 50th anniversary.
On Saturday morning, the crew of the R/V Seawolf, including Captain Chris Harter, Fleet Manager David Bowman and Mate Jason Schweitzer, hosted a dock-side breakfast on board the boat and allowed guests an opportunity to take a look around. While the rain dampened the morning, it was still a great chance to connect. Several alumni noted that they had always wanted to check out the boat and were gracious for the chance to visit and chat.
Back on Main Campus, Dr. Carl Safina, Endowed Professor at SoMAS, gave the Wolfstock Faculty Lecture, "The Ocean and You." His lecture documented the aspects of his life that moved Carl in areas of environmental conservation.
Several exhibits were set up in the halls and offices of the buildings of SoMAS on South Campus. The Dean's Office hosted a collection of old navigational tools and charts, various artwork created by friends of SoMAS, along with a copy of the first book published that credits MSRC at Stony Brook: Dr. Peter Weyl's Oceanography: an Introduction to the Marine Environment. Instrument Engineer Tom Wilson from the Instrument Lab had a collection of oceanographic equipment and samples to touch and feel and Dr. Sharon Pochron's Earthworm Toxicology Lab offered visitors the chance to touch and feel earthworms.
A variety of photo exhibits in Discovery Hall highlighted our current and former research vessels, the building and dedication of The Boathouse, a historical journey through possible expansion plans at the Southampton Marine Station when it was still Long Island University. and the original layout of the Fishing Vessel Bagatell before she was converted to the Research Vessel Seawolf. The entrance of Challenger Hall, beneath the sculpture "Tofyk" by Barbara Miller, had a collection of old photos of the people at SoMAS. In MASIC, the collections of Akira Okubo and Petra Udelhofen were available for browsing.
The Sustainability Studies office in Endeavour had a display of photos and products from the Graphic Arts Department, including Onrust brochures and plans, a variety of MSRC logo designs, drawings and stylized photos in the time before computer-aided software. The Plotter Room had the "Rogues Gallery" collection, old MSRC TShirt designs, the newsletter archive and the archive of old cameras and videocameras. In the hallway, old photographs of the Flax Pond Marine Lab and a series of brochures advertising our former educational programs filled the walls. Around the corner, an archive of old name plates and a memorial to those we have lost offered a moment of pause. On the opposite corner of Endeavor Hall, a collection of old MSRC-branded merchandise was on display.
The pride in our School was evident! Endeavour 120 was filled with faculty, staff and students and many returning guests, friends and alumni gathered to celebrate our first five decades at Stony Brook! Thank you for helping us celebrate!
The 50th Celebration program is available to download. Visit the links below to check out the photo albums:
Morning Seminar in Endeavour 120
Keynote Seminar and Reception on Main Campus
Breakfast on the Seawolf
Wolfstock Faculty Lecture with Carl Safina
Photos by Ginny Clancy, Malcolm Bowman, Tom Wilson and Mark Lang
Take a virtual tour of the exhibits from our 50th Celebration or check out our other spaces at Stony Brook University!
The History of the Buildings of SoMAS
Prior to contrary belief, the SoMAS buildings on South Campus are not named after shuttles in the space program. In fact, our buildings and the space shuttles share their names from the same source: famous ships.
The buildings of South Campus are designated with the name SURGE and a letter for each building. What is now Endeavour was G Building, Discovery was H Building, Challenger was F Building and Dana was D Building. In the mid 1980s, Dean Jerry Schubel authorized a naming contest for each building at MSRC. A nautical theme was chosen for the contest. A representative from each building was responsible for finding suggestions, which were then voted on by the occupants. Coastal Marine Scholar Bill Dennison was responsible for SURGE H, Dr. Edward Carpenter was responsible for SURGE F, Dr. Malcolm Bowman was responsible for SURGE J and Dr. Glenn Lopez for SURGE D.
Dr. Bill Dennison, currently at the University of Maryland, chose the name of Discovery for H Building. According to him, "Discovery had an amazing history, including taking Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton to Antarctica, which intrigued me" because "I liked and still like nautical and science history."
Dr. Malcolm Bowman chose the name Endeavour for G Building based on the importance of the boat in New Zealand, Dr. Bowman's birthplace. The HMS Endeavour was commanded by British Lt. James Cook on his first voyage from Britain to Australia and New Zealand. To prove the point of the iconic nature of the boat, Dr. Bowman is reported to have pulled out a New Zealand coin with the boat's impression on the back.
Dr. Edward Carpenter, now at San Francisco State University was a physical oceanographer in F Building and chose the name Challenger. The HMS Challenger and the 1872 expedition named after the boat laid the foundation for oceanography and the name was the only logical choice.
The naming of D Building has an interesting "evolution." D Building was home to several faculty with strong evolutionary interests. Originally, the residents of D Building wanted to name the building after Charles Darwin, the renowned scientist. Unfortunately, that name did not fit the theme set by Jerry Schubel, but the name of the ship that Darwin sailed on for his famous trip was suggested. That vessel, the HMS Beagle, was deemed an inappropriate name given D Building's history of maintaining lab animals for biomedical research, including dogs. Dr. Glenn Lopez chose the name Dana for D Building after the Danish ship Dana II, the "ship used by Johannes Schmidt during a voyage funded by the Carlsberg Foundation that ended up discovering that both American and European eels spawned in the Sargasso Sea."
When the floor tiles in the hallways of the buildings on South Campus were eventually replaced, former facilities manager Cliff Jones worked with University Facilities to install the marine life artwork featured in the tiles. Cliff worked with George Carroll to create the patterns used for the tiles.
In Endeavour Hall, a shark was installed near the main entrance by the aquarium. In Discovery Hall, a sea horse was installed near the entrance by the Boat House. In Challenger Hall, a pair of dolphins were installed as you walk through the doors closest to MASIC. Dana Hall was the first building were the floors were repaired and unfortunately the tile replacement work was completed before any tile artwork could be installed. When SoMAS had a presence in Dutchess Hall, a turtle was installed. When SoMAS moved out of Dutchess Hall and the Stony Brook University Police Department moved in, the turtle was replaced with a police badge.
Many thanks to the efforts of John Marcinka from New Construction and Kevin Tumulty in Environmental Health and Safety for their help getting the tile artwork installed.
Flax Pond Marine Laboratory
The Flax Pond Marine Laboratory is named after the tidal estuary on which is resides, Flax Pond. According to the Friends of Flax Pond, the pond was originally named Fresh Pond. The name changed in the 18th century when the pond was known for its use to separate the fibers of the flax plant in a process known as retting. In the 19th century, an inlet was created to open the area of shellfishing.
Take a virtual tour of the Flax Pond Marine Laboratory.
Natural Sciences Center
The Natural Sciences Center at the Southampton Campus is home to the SoMAS faculty based in Southampton. The building was built by the SUNY Dormitory Authority for the LIU Southampton Campus and dedicated in September, 1965.
Take a virtual tour of the Natural Sciences Center.
Marine Sciences Center
Opened in 2013, the Marine Sciences Center on Old Fort Pond Bay at the Southampton campus is a brand new building that houses classrooms and research laboratories. The building is LEED certified. It was built on the site of the former marine station.
Take a virtual tour of the Marine Sciences Center.
A collection of historical photos of our buildings is available on Google Photos.
Old Marine Station at Southampton
New Marine Sciences Center at Southampton
The Artwork at SoMAS
The halls of our spaces are graced with a variety of art. The artwork has its own history–some pieces have been commissioned, some were assignments, others were saved from previous institutions and there are even current pieces that cycle through the space. On a visit to SoMAS, it's easy to appreciate the artwork, but you may not know there's more to the story…
Barbara Miller
Tofyk, 1988
This sculpture is located in Challenger Hall
George Krauter
Happy Together, 1988
This sculpture is located in Challenger Hall at the entrance to the Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Information Center (MASIC). Artist George Krauter recalls that his "first instinct was to build a very realistic model of some form of sea life," however the class he was taking at the time "focused on abstract 3d design, so that determined the final design." The final design shows two whales swimming through a kelp forest.
Gregory Williams
Sea Level, 1988
This sculpture located in Endeavour Hall near the Dean's Office.
Gregory Williams spent his last year at Stony Brook University in the sculpture lab, a place he "called home." In 1987, his instructor, Molly Mason, informed the class of a contest where students could submit a model for a sculpture to be replicated on a larger scale. The winning entries would reside in the Marine Sciences Research Center (now the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences), a place on South Campus that Greg had "never even known existed before". His class made a trip down there to scout out locations and inspiration for their creations. A few students submitted proposals and were granted funds to purchase the materials for their sculptures. The artists received independent study credit for their efforts.
Greg's vision was created from sheet metal, and he called on his friend Dickey Makley, whose father owned a metal fabrication business, for help. Dickey was able to get the two sheets of 4'x8′ sheet metal, at 10 and 12 gauge, and also had the machinery Greg could use to shape and form the metal.
While working in the shop from the model he had created, Greg tried to explain his vision to the others working in the shop, who were not very knowledgeable about high art. "The puzzled look on their faces," he recalls, "was PRICELESS!" As Greg showed that the 4 strips of metal on the floor would be like louvers which represented waves on the ocean, Dickey's father looked at his son and said "Hey Dickey! Don't step in the PUDDLE!" The group shook their heads amidst howls of laughter.
Hanging the heavy, steel wall relief was an arduous task and Greg asked his father for help. Greg recalls that he and his father "did not have a great relationship at this particular time" of his life. He notes that his father "didn't hesitate to jump on board" and that "looking back, this is one of the many traits that defined him–he was reliable." Greg remembers the experience as "one of the only times we actually worked well together" and his father's respect for him "was growing and I could tell he was proud of what I was doing."
Greg said that "I have always been very proud to have my work and name hang so prominently in the entrance to Endeavour Hall." He returned a few years ago with his family on a trip to Long Island from New Hampshire. He brought his daughters to Stony Brook University to visit "Sea Level." Greg noticed that his artwork needed to be restored and met Mark Wiggins, the Facilities Manager at SoMAS, who provided "the supplies to bring back its luster." Greg says that "it is truly an honor to be a part of the great history of the building and the University. "Sea Level" is important to me for so many different reasons, thank you for allowing me to be a part the 50 year celebration!"
On display at the Marine Sciences Center at Southampton are a collection of watercolors from Claus Hoie.
Claus Hoie (1911-2007)
Born in Stavanger, a Norwegian city bordering the North Sea, artist Claus Hoie was fascinated with the sea and its creatures throughout his lifetime. Hoie immigrated to America as a 12 year old, and eventually served as a member of the elite Norwegian-American battalion, the Mountain Ski Infantry in the United States Army during WWII.
One might speculate that Claus Hoie's affinity for his East Hampton home may have been partly because of the village's proximity to the sea and the resulting quality of light so often remarked upon by artists: light so perfectly captured by the medium of watercolor with its balanced transparency and translucence.
Claus Hoie studied at the Art Students Lounge in New York City and at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. The winner of major awards from such prestigious organizations as the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the National Academy of Design and the American Watercolor Society, he had an extraordinary career of more than sixty years. Hoie's work is in collections across the United States and at the Akershus Museum in Oslo.
Gifts of the Helen & Claus Hoie Charitable Foundation, 2013
Watercolor, 20 5/8 x 29 in.
BLUE WHALE IN THE ANTARCTIC
Watercolor, 25 5/8 x 36 3/8 in.
ORCA & AURORA BOREALES
Watercolor, 24 x 36 in.
BLUE WHALE UNDER A FULL MOON
A final Hoie watercolor is located in Dean's Office in Endeavour Hall.
On display in the Natural Sciences Center at Stony Brook Southampton are two collections of photographs from students of Southampton College of Long Island University.
Scott Hughes '91
Marine Sciences and Biology
Scott is now a Marine Resources Specialist at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Suffolk County.
Brian Wysor '96
Microscope Photos of Phytoplankton
Brian is now an Associate Professor of Biology at Roger Williams University.
Chris Paparo
Chris Paparo, manager of the Marine Sciences Center at Southampton has a collection of photographs on display on the walls of the building. The photographs capture the local marine life found in the waters of Shinnecock Bay to Peconic Bay. Check out more of Chris's photos at Fish Guy Photos.
Sustainability Studies Students
Students in Marc Fasanella's 2010 EHM 201 Eco-Aesthetics in Art class were assigned to go out into nature and do a three step Micro-Environment Visual Inventory project. First they found something small that captured their interest and photograph it. The photo was then drawn and colored perfectly to scale on graph paper. Accompanying the drawing in another frame just below the image was a brief poetic reflection on the piece.
R. George Rowland (1941 – 1990)
The photographs gracing the walls of the Flax Pond Marine Laboratory are the work of R. George Rowland, Manager of the Flax Pond Marine Laboratory from November 1985 – December 1990.
George loved the innate beauty of coastal environments, their sundry plants and animals. Marsh grass rippling in the October wind, a gull complaining from atop a lonely piling. These remind us of our kind and gracious friend.
Endeavour Hall Room 120 has housed a variety of artwork and sculpture. The SoMAS Photo Competition winners are on display here, as is a large painted map of the New York Bight (pictured below). The room also housed a sculpture/impression of the Hudson River (picture bottom right).
Endeavour Hall Room 171, also known as the Okubo Room, was Akira Okubo's office when he was a professor at MSRC. The room is now used as a small meeting room. Inside the room is a framed portrait drawn of Akira Okubo by MSRC student Deborah Bray. Former Dean and Professor Emeritus Marvin Geller donated the japanese art print that is also in the room.
SoMAS Celebrates Earthstock 2017
Earthstock, the Stony Brook University annual celebration of Earth Day, has been an annual tradition for years. This year, in honor of our 50th Anniversary, SoMAS had a very significant presence at the event.
On Monday April 17th, New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright was a guest lecturer in Dr. Malcolm Bowman and Dr. Larry Swanson's ENS 301 class.
On Tuesday April 18th, SoMAS/SUS Alum Erica Cirino spoke about her trip to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in her "Go and See Tour." The video is available on YouTube. Later that afternoon, a panel discussion on "Adapting to a Changing Climate – Coastal Infrastructure and Sustainable Cities" was held in the Humanities Institute and featured CEAS Dean Fotis Sotiropoulos, Dr. Malcolm Bowman, William Golden , CEO of the National Institute for Coastal & Harbor Infrastructure and Dr. Robert Yaro from the University of Pennsylvania.
On Wednesday April 19th, SEVEN Sustainability Studies alumni returned for the yearly panel discussion: Shameika Hanson, 2015 EHM, Emily Markowitz, 2016 MAR, Mai Fahmy, 2015 EHI, Shawn Nuzzo, 2013 EDP, Liam Trotta, 2013 EDP and Erica Cirino, 2014 ENS. The discussion was moderated by lecturer Michael White and the video is on YouTube.
Thursday April 20th featured the keynote event hosted by The Sierra Club, SoMAS, Sustainability Studies and Stony Brook University. The "Roadshow of Resistance: Saving the Planet, Indigenous Rights and Standing Rock," featured the poetry and hip-hop music of Native American Lyla June Johnson, the songs of Casey Neill, speeches by Cheryl Angel and Brytnee Laurette.
The highlight of the week was on Friday April 21st at the Earthstock Showcase. Rain unfortunately moved the event indoors but that didn't dampen any spirits! SoMAS and Sustainability Studies were present with displays from faculty labs, clubs and associated groups.
And on Earth Day, Saturday April 22, The Environmental Club celebrated Earth Day and the end of the semester with their Green Gala.
Interim Dean Larry Swanson played a key part in many of the week's events and had these remarks:
The week-long celebration of Earthstock was a huge success and in many ways it was due to the efforts of the staff, students, and faculty in SoMAS. The main event on Friday was moved indoors to the Student Activities Center because of the rain, so the organizational effort was greater than usual. Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Legislator Kara Hahn, and Councilwoman Valerie Cartwright participated in the opening ceremony. SoMAS clearly was dominant in showcasing its programs. There were many outstanding exhibits such as Nils's sediment sections and Sam Gurr's monitoring the heartbeat of a mussel. Who would have ever thought? I didn't come very close to guessing the number of worms in Sharon's ball of worms – or so she told me. And, Tom's magnetic sand and other oceanic trinkets were also great.
I want to thank all who helped. I know that they worked hard to make it happen and all of us at SoMAS are greatly appreciative. Mark Lang deserves particular mention for pulling much of it together.
SoMAS was well-represented on the Earthstock Administrative Committee which included Maureen Murphy, Malcolm Bowman, Jeff Levinton, Heidi Hutner, Tara Rider and Mark Lang.
Many thanks to the following people who organized exhibits and volunteered at Earthstock:
Mark Wiggins for providing expert logistical assistance getting exhibits, exhibitors and attendees to the event.
Karen Warren and Maureen Murphy with the Gelfond Fund for Mercury Research
Tara Rider and Kurt Bretsch with the SoMAS, Semester by the Sea and Summer Oceanography program.
Nils Volkenborn with graduate students Sam Gurr and Ian Dwyer demonstrating
Tom Wilson with Chris Crossby with the Instrument Lab exhibit
Sharon Pochron and the Earthworm Toxicology Lab
Rachel Silver and the Shinnecock Restoration Program
Christina Ozelis with the Sustainability Studies program
Nicole Casamassina, Andrew Seaman, Matthew McDermott and the Meteorology Club, advised by Brian Colle
Kylie Campanelli and the Sierra Club, advised by David Taylor
Chad Marvin and the SBU Gardening Guild, advised by David Taylor
Katherine Gregory and the Environmental Club, advised by Kamazima Lwiza
Paul St. Denis and Gaoqi Zheng from the Teaching and Learning Lab visited the Earthstock Showcase with Ricoh Theta 360° camera and captured several images and video of the event. Visit their Earthstock VR Tour to check it out!
Photos taken by Malcolm Bowman, Nicole Casamassina, Mark Lang, Tom Wilson, Kurt Bretsch, Tara Rider, Mark Wiggins are available on Google Photos.
#Earthstock opening ceremony with a wonderful speech from Dr. Bowman from @somas.sbu
A post shared by ShiRP (@shinnecock_restore) on Apr 21, 2017 at 9:23am PDT
Come join us today at @stonybrookuniversity #Earthstock !
Something...has...escaped! It looks like it's heading to #earthstock at @stonybrooku! Help us find it tomorrow at the #earthstock festival on main campus!
A post shared by SoMAS (@somas.sbu) on Apr 20, 2017 at 8:11am PDT
Hope you were able to catch the #roadshowofresistance at #earthstock today at @stonybrooku
A post shared by SoMAS (@somas.sbu) on Apr 20, 2017 at 8:24pm PDT
Interim Dean Larry Swanson introduces @ericarunsamerica at her #Earthstock #goandseetour on Plastic in the #oceans and the #greatpacificgarbagepatch Great #photography and #reporting from a @somas.sbu at @stonybrooku alum! Erica will be back at #earthstock tomorrow for the Alumni Panel at 1pm in Javits 111! @stonybrookalum
Interim Dean Larry Swanson welcomed everyone to #earthstock at the opening ceremonies.
A post shared by SoMAS (@somas.sbu) on May 8, 2017 at 8:07am PDT
Pete Moss and the Fertilizers kept the #lobster dancing at #earthstock at @stonybrooku #50MAS #lol
A post shared by SoMAS (@somas.sbu) on Apr 22, 2017 at 10:26am PDT
The #lobster at #earthstock with @somas.sbu at @stonybrooku professor Malcolm Bowman!
#lobsterselfie #earthstock #whatthehellisthatthing @marklanglcs @somas.sbu
A post shared by Chris D'Orso (@cdorso) on Apr 21, 2017 at 8:39am PDT
Come stop by the Meteorology Club Table in SAC Ballroom A before 3PM and guess today's high temperature, low temperature, and wind gust for a chance to win some cool prizes! #Earthstock
A post shared by Stony Brook Meteorology Club (@sbuweather) on Apr 21, 2017 at 8:03am PDT
Sample Collection With a View
Dr. Bruce Brownawell and Dr. Anne McElroy with graduate student John Gondek, M.S. and Lab Technician Joseph Ruggieri completed a cruise on the Long Island Sound in 2008. Onboard the R/V Pritchard, the group was collecting sediment samples for various analyses back in the lab.
Dr. Bruce Brownawell with graduate student John Gondek. Photo by Joe Ruggieri
This memorable trip started with the first sampling location just east of the Throgs Neck Bridge. The group continued eastward throughout the day and completed a few transects across the sound. This collection of samples was a very extensive characterization for the Sound, complete with surface grabs and sediment cores.
Story contributed by Joseph Ruggieri
R/V Seawolf Discovery and Eagle Scout Project Becomes Port Jefferson Landmark
Above: Anchor Condition Prior to Restoration.
Have you seen the anchor at Harborfront Park in the Village of Port Jefferson , NY? The R/V Seawolf, flagship of the Marine Sciences Research Center, with Captain Steve Cluett at the wheel, "caught" the anchor on the last tow of the first trawl trip for the New Jersey Dept of Envir. Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife. The NJ DEP has been one of the longest supporters of the R/V Seawolf. The anchor was known to those familiar with the area, however it was not clear on the chart provided to the R/V Seawolf that the lines indicated areas to avoid rather than navigate.
Captain Cluett, with crew Mark Wiggins, Angie Parlatore and Dick Furbush, pulled the anchor up with their nets, revealing the captured netting from previous anchor encounters.
Steve Cluett's son, Chris, restored the anchor as part of an Eagle Scout project. Chris was able to date the approximate age of the anchor (1890-1910) because the foundry's name is still on the cast iron stud link chain studs, and Bryn Mawr College maintained the Philadelphia business records to date the foundry.
The anchor was gifted by Captain Cluett to Jeanne Garant, then-Mayor of Port Jefferson Village. The full story of Chris Cluett's restoration of the anchor, covered by Kathleen O'Sullivan of the Port Times Record, is below.
From Scout's project to a village treasure
With some assistance, Cluett gives Port a new landmark
BY KATHLEEN O'SULLIVAN
Chris Cluett. about to enter his sophomore year at Earl L. Vandermeulen High School in Port Jefferson, completed the major portion of his Eagle Scout project this summer by restoring an anchor dating back to at least 1900. The anchor will soon have a permanent home in front of the Village Center at Harborfront Park in Port Jefferson.
The two-ton anchor was trawled up during a fisheries survey in 2002 by the Seawolf, Stony Brook University's Marine Science research vessel, captained by Chris's father, Steve Cluett. It was found near Ambrose Channel, the entrance to New York City harbor.
Captain Cluett, who worked at his son's side throughout the project, said he is very proud of Chris's accomplishment. He is also is very grateful to former Mayor Jeanne Garant, and grant manager Bob Thmilowicz. who supported the project from the beginning. Port Jefferson's present mayor, MichaeI Lee, a long-time scout leader himself. is also very proud of the accomplishment and says that plans are underway to move the anchor to its permananent home in the courtyard of the new Village Center.
Cluett is a member of Scout Troop 45 based at the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street, a troop that has been in existence for more than 75 years. The mayor has known Chris since he was II years old because that is when Chris went on his first rafting trip. which was led by Lee.
Chris says that restoring the anchor was a great learning experience for him. He said he had to approach village officials for their approval, and he had to get donations from local businesses for materials. Since an Eagle Scout project is, in essence. leadership training, he also had to organize members of his troop to help. Over 40 man-hours of work went into chipping off the anchor's century of rust and corrosion.
After the anchor was cleaned down to bare iron, chemical Solutions were applied to get rid of all remaining salt and to protect against future corrosion. After much discussion it was decided to use a final coat of Marine Penetrol to finish the job. as it helps the anchor retain its natural look.
Chris solicited donations from West Marine for the prepping materials like phosphoric acid to stop the rust. He received safety equipment such as goggles and gloves from Ace Hardware and Fox Hardware. Seven Seas Construction donated help to move the anchor and gave the paint for the final coat.
Part of the project was to discover the history of the anchor. Chris and his family went to Mystic, Connecticut where they discovered information on anchors and old ships in the research library.
"We found some writing on the chain that dangled from it," said Chris. "It said Bradlee & Co. and Philadelphia. We found an address for the company dated 1898. So we are pretty sure the anchor dates from that time." Father and son hope to do more research before the end of the summer at the Naval Shipyard Museum in Norfolk. Virginia.
Chris's mother Ann says the family saw a collection of anchors at Mystic and were Impressed at how good theirs looked when restored. "I think we took more time chipping off all the old rust," she said. Both she and Chris's sisters helped.
Captain Cluett describes finding the anchor on one of his fishing trawl surveys as "precarious," The anchor got caught in his net and there was no way to untangle it at sea. He couldn't afford to lose the net, which costs thousands of dollars, and he was afraid of snapping a cable if he dragged it. The only solution was to winch it up and secure it to the back of the boat and come home with it. Dieter Lund of Seven Seas Construction brought his crane to lift it off.
What could have been a disaster for the Seawolf has become a treasure for Port Jefferson.
The anchor actually belonged to Stony Brook University until it was generously donated by the university to the village last year. Now it will remain a symbol for future generations not only of the great ships that used to sail local waters but also of a great young man and his scout troop, It seems that young Cluett could not have chosen a more appropriate task for his Eagle Scout project, which brought pride to his illustrious scout troop as well as to the village.
Above: Captain Steve Cluett on top of the anchor hoisted up by the R/V Seawolf
Chris Cluett perches atop the anchor he and other Troop 45 scouts restored, (Photo by Phi Schiavone)
Above: Before and after view of fluke showing the marine growth and rust scale removed by hand with chipping hammers.
Above: The restored anchor
Above: Anchor surface during restoration, after chipping, prior to chemical treaments.
Above: Boy Scout Troop 45 chipping crew
Above: Pressure washing anchor with salt removal solution.
Figure 6. Example of a wooden stock anchor, Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT.
Figure 7. Dimensions for an Admiralty Pattern anchor with removable ball and stock, 1841. (Curryer, 1999)
Figure 8. Example of transition to stockless anchors, 1908. (Baker, 1973)
Figure 9. Example of stowing an admiralty anchor with lifting or gravity rings, referred to as the balancing band. (Riesenburg, 1922)
Figure 10. Launching of the 4 masted bark Edward Sewall, 1899, Kennebec, ME. Note the two admiralty anchors ready released as the ship slides down the ways. Also note the size of the anchors in relation to the people on deck. (Allen, 1978)
Figure 11. Windjammer Jacques capsized in Tancarville Canal near Le Havre, France, 1900. The Jaques is a 1900 ton vessel. Note the Admiralty anchor secured on the starboard bow.
Figure 12. Windjammer Danmark. Note the potential for wear of links near the anchor where the chain rests in the hawsepipe. Hansen, 1972
Figure 13. Wreck of the Windjammer Seine, Perron Bay, 1900. Note similar anchor and size in relation to persons. Allen, 1978.
MSRC Winners of SBU's "What is Leadership?" Contest
Two members of the MSRC community know what leadership is. Stony Brook University initiated a contest for the "What is leadership?" banner during the Year of Community Leadership. The winning banner was revealed on April 29, 2002.
From the 10 selected definitions, two of the winning entries are from MSRC faculty and staff. Lynn Bianchet crafted leadership is "the art of helping others find the best in themselves". The winning entry by Petra Udelhofen, MSRC/ITPA adjunct faculty, reads leadership is "imagining the future, exploring new ideas, listening to others, and learning from mistakes". The winners received $100 and a poster of the banner on April 29, 2002 in the SAC. Congratulations!
Petra Udelhofen's banner currently hangs in Endeavour Hall.
Lynn Bianchet's definition of Leadership, created during the Year of Community Leadership at Stony Brook University
Petra Udelhofen's definition of Leadership, created during the Year of Community Leadership at Stony Brook University
The winners of the YOCL Banner Contest
MSRC's Lynn Bianchet and Petra Udelhofen display their Leadership posters
Petra Udelhofen (left) and Lynn Bianchet (right)
The Leadership Banners hanging in the Academic Mall, from the Stony Brook Statesman, 2003-01-20
Petra Udelhofen's Leadership banner, hanging in the Academic Mall
Lynn Bianchet's Leadership banner hanging in the Academic Mall
Lynn Bianchet with her winning Leadership banner, standing beneath the banner as it hangs on the Academic Mall
The White Anchor at SoMAS
The big, white anchor attached to the tree near Discovery Hall as you come into SoMAS is a "Navy Anchor".
In 1980 the Marine Sciences Research Center had a project in the Lower Bay of New York Harbor (Burial of Dredged Sediment Beneath the Floor of New York Harbor) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The Army Corps of Engineers set a marker buoy attached to this anchor at the site. When the project was over the anchor was pulled up and dropped off at the USACE facility in Bayonne, NJ (Caven Point), and offered to the Marine Sciences Research Center. Chester Arnold (MS, 1982) and Dr. Henry Bokuniewicz rented a truck and drove out to get it. On the way back, the truck broke down somewhere on the (long) approach ramps to the Lincoln Tunnel. In 1980, there were no cell phones, so Arnold and Bokuniewicz walked down into a (rather unpleasant) part of New Jersey and called the rental company who indicated they would send another truck and "transfer over load".
The white anchor easily weighs more than 2000 lbs.
Bokuniewicz advised the rental company that they weren't going to be able to transfer the load without a fork-lift, and instead the truck was towed to a salvage yard nearby. The anchor was moved to the replacement vehicle with a pay loader truck successfully made the trip back to Stony Brook University. The tree was as far as the anchor made it in the unloading process. Facilities Manager Cliff Jones, now retired, painted the anchor white and secured it with chains to the tree. The tree has since grown around the anchor.
MSRC Newsletter Vol 1, No. 1
The Marine Sciences Research Center Newsletter will report to members of SUNY developments in the University's expanding marine program. This initial issue will provide a brief introduction to the Center and its staff in addition to describing significant events that have occurred since the Center was created by the State University trustees in March, 1965. The Newsletter is initially scheduled to appear three times yearly–Spring, Fall and Winter. It will be published more frequently as the University's fledgling marine program gains momentum.
The Center and Its Staff. The establishment of the Marine Sciences Research Center (MSRC) of the State University of New York was the logical outgrowth of two phenomena: the increase during the 1960's of a national awareness of the marine environment's importance to man, causing oceanography to emerge from relative obscurity to become one of science's most dynamic disciplines; and New York State's strategic geographic position for study of the marine habitat, being bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and two Great Lakes.
New York's Board of Regents and the State University Trustees realized the wealth of opportunity that this dual situation offered the University but also recognized the great costs that would be entailed. They created the Center as a focus for the University's expanding marine program to assure the development of comprehensive, SUNY-wide activities which avoided wasteful duplication of effort.
Located on the Stony Brook campus, the only State University Center with direct access to the sea, the MSRC will direct its resources toward understanding the total nature of the marine environment and the forces–natural and man-made–that interact with it. Such a multi-faceted effort will draw upon the expertise of the many disciplines contained within the natural, engineering, social and health sciences. In implementing such a program, the Center seeks to coordinate interdisciplinary marine research and instruction throughout SUNY. It will collaborate with agencies of many kinds-government at all levels, industry, private conservation groups, etc.
The MSRC staff at present includes 8 professional and semiprofessional members, plus supporting technical and secretarial personnel. In September, 1968, Donald F. Squires (Ph.D, Cornell) an expert in invertebrate zoology, systematics and coral-reef ecology, was appointed Director of the Center as well as Prof. of Biological, and Earth and Space Sciences at Stony Brook. Prior to accepting this position, Dr. Squires served as Deputy Director of the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of Natural History.
Following are listed other members of the Center's staff and their special interest areas (academic appointments indicated are with SUNY at Stony Brook): Edward R. Baylor (Ph.D., Princeton), Prof. of Biological Sciences–behavior and physiology of marine organisms; Thomas Goreau (Ph.D., Yale), Prof. of Biological Sciences, Resident Director of the Center's Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory in Jamaica, W.I.–coral-reef ecology; Meredith Grant Gross (Ph.D., Cal. Tech.), Assoc. Prof. of Oceanography–sediments, marine geochemistry; Peter K. Weyl (Ph.D., Chicago), Prof. of Oceanography–ocean currents, marine geochemistry and physical oceanography; George Williams (Ph .. D., D.C.L.A.), Prof. of Biological Sciences–planktonic fish ecology and evolution; Peter deNyse, Administrative Assistant; and Judith D. Smith, Special Assistant for Sea Grant Activities and Editor, MSRC Newsletter.
The Center's professional staff is projected to increase to approximately 25 members. In addition to the natural sciences, the engineering, social and health sciences will be represented.
Two facilities of the Center ready for use. Two of the Center's proposed network of affiliate laboratories are now available for limited use by SUNY researchers. These are the Flax Pond Research and Study Site, a wetlands area on the North Shore of Long Island, and the Discovery Bay Narine Laboratory, Jamaica, W.I.
Flax Pond, which the University owns jointly with the N.Y.S. Dept. of Conservation, is 3 miles from the Stony Brook campus. The site is approximately 160 acres in size and consists of Sparti~a marshlands and gravel beaches bordered by an upland grass and cedar environment. Rich in terrestrial and marine wildlife, the region is suitable for many types of biological as well as geological studies. The State University plans to erect a 15,000-square-foot laboratory on the site, but for the present faculty should plan to employ the area for field study only.
The Discovery Bay laboratory, headed by Dr. Thomas Goreau of the Center, is ideal for tropical studies, particularly of coral-reef ecology. The variety of habitats-underwater (coral-reef, rocky, sandy, grass-flat, deep-sea) and cifastal (rocky, sandy,muddy, estuarine, mangrove, lagoon)–within easy reach of the laboratory makes the area suitable for a wide range of zoological studies. The U. of the West Indies shares in the operation of this site.
Brochures describing Flax Pond and Discovery Bay are in preparation. Prior to their publication, inquiries concerning either facility may be addressed to the Facilities Manager, c/o the MSRC. All SUNY faculty wishing to use these sites for research or education are encouraged to do so.
39-Foot research ship purchased by the Center. The MSRC took delivery in April of a new research vessel for use by members of the State University. A former Maine lobster boat, the ship is no thing of beauty but is excellently suited for work in Long Island Sound. A contest is under way to select a name for this worthy craft. Specifications: Length, 39′; beam, 12′ 6″; draft, 3′ 6″ • Oak framed with cedar planking. 15 Knot maximum, l2-knot cruising speed. The Center is equipping the vessel to a limited extent now and will improve the facilities after requirements are further assessed. SUNY personnel are encouraged to use the boat for research or class instruction and should contact the Facilities Manager for scheduling, costs and types of gear required.
The Center has arranged to charter larger vessels as needed. At present, a 70-foot oyster dragger ($125/day) and a 65-foot T-boat ($250/day) are available.
INTERCAMPUS LIAISON
MSRC Advisory Committee appointed. In keeping with the MSRC's University-wide responsibilities, an Advisory Committee, composed of faculty from SUNY colleges with marine programs, was established in 1966 to participate in the Center's major policy decisions. The Committee, which meets approximately every 6 months, is currently composed of the following members: Dr. Meir H. Degani, Maritime College at Fort Schuyler; Dr. Thomas W. Donnelly, Binghamton; Dr. Robert D. Hennigan, Syracuse (Water Resources Center); Dr. John M. Kingsbury, Cornell (Agriculture); Dr. George R. Maxwell, II, Oswego; Dr. Vincent J. Schaefer, Albany; Prof. Walter L. Smith, Suffolk County Community; Dr. John F. Storr, Buffalo U.; and Dr. Robert A. Sweeney, Buffalo ColI.
As an initial step in appraising the scope of SUNy's marine activities, the Center is working to identify the marine interests, and researchers, of each campus and to assist in the development of activities where limited experience exists. Toward this end, Dr. Squires has visited many campuses to date and plans to visit all campuses as early as possible.
–Six SUNY colleges played host to distinguished marine scientists this winter, in a series of seminars sponsored by the Center. The invited speakers, and their topics of discussion, were: Dr. John Lee of CCNY–microfauna in a square millimeter of ocean bottom; Dr. John Bunt, U. of Miami–sea ice as a site for primary productivity; Dr. Charles Brown, U.S. Navy Underwater Sound Lab.–study of plankton biology through underwater accoustics; Dr. John Kingsbury, Cornell–economics of Irish moss; Dr. Peter Dehlinger, U. Conn–the origin of the Juan de Fuca and Gorda ridges in the Northeast Pacific; Dr. Allan Faller, U. Maryland–recent studies of flow discontinuity circulation; Dr. Redwood Wright, Woods' Hole Oceanographic Inst.-potential energy and the circulation of the North Atlantic; and Dr. Jack Pierce of the Sandy Hook (N.J.) Marine Lab.–some quantitative aspects of benthic ecology.
–Approximately 65 administrators and faculty from 20 SUNY 2-year colleges will attend a meeting at the Center on May 16 and 17 to discuss the potential for further development of marine technology programs. The meeting will highlight employment opportunities, training programs, and curriculum and facilities requirements. It has been scheduled in response to the great interest of the 2-year colleges in this field.
RESEARCH ROUND-UP
Thermal pollution study begun by the Center. Work will begin in mid-April upon the initial phase of a long-range study of thermal pollution in Long Island Sound. The project's major purpose is to spell out, through physical, chemical and biological investigations, the precise impact upon the Sound's ecology of heated water discharged from power plants. In addition, the economic, social and political factors related to the increased power needs of the area's rapidly growing population will be considered.
As part of this program, the Center plans to develop the .ability to predict how power plants on Long Island Sound projected for the year 2000 may, singly and/or collectively, affect marine conditions. Such a predictive capability must precede the establishment of protective regulations.
The present project, which has received approximately $120,000 in support from New York State and the Long Island Lighting Co. (LILCO), is focusing upon a single power plant–LILCO's 2-generator unit at Northport-. Its purpose is to elucidate the problems created by thermal pollution and to define the limits of the effects of heat emitted from a single source. In addition to the Center's staff, faculty from Suffolk Community College, Brookhaven National Labs and others will participate in this work.
Data from this pilot project will be used to plan the larger regional study of thermal pollution, funds for which will be sought from Federal and State government and from industry. Opportunities to participate in this program will be open to interested SUNY scientists.
Dumping of waste solids being probed. The increasing tendency of rubbish-besieged U.S. cities to use the oceans as dumping grounds is beginning to cause alarm in scientific circles, where the practice is viewed as the possible prelude to a serious environmental problem. New York City, for example dumps millions of tons of solid material into the Atlantic every year in the form of dredging sediments, construction debris, industrial waste, sewage sludge, etc. What chemical and physical by-products are produced when such foreign solids react with the ocean's natural sediments? How do these by-products affect the marine environment?
These are some of the questions that Dr. M. Grant Gross of the Center intends to answer through a research program whose ultimate goal is the development of a predictive capability for the sea's capacity to assimilate waste solids. Specifically, he is concentrating upon the following aspects of the waste-solid problem: 1. discovering what kinds of materials are being dumped, and their major sources; 2. determining the composition of established dumpsites; 3. eliciting whether substances deposited on the ocean floor undergo physical and chemical changes and, if so, how?
Dr. Gross is collaborating in this work with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst. (to map near-bottom waters of L.I. Sound), Sandy Hook Marine Lab. (to study sediments at a NYC dumpsite for sewage sludge), NYC Dept. of Water Resources (to study the effects of runoff from Kennedy Airport and from sewage plants into Jamaica'Bay), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (analyzing sediments from a dredging project). Other SUNY personnel involved are Prof. Raymond N. Smith of Stony Brook, and Prof. Walter Smith and Mr. John A. Black of Suffolk Community College. The program will at a later date be extended to include waste-solid disposal in the Hudson River and Great Lakes.
"Challenger" cruise yields nutrient data on Sound. This past January, the MSRC sponsored a 3-day cruise aboard the Sandy Hook Marine Lab. 's 65-foot research vessel "Challenger," to determine east-to-west variations in the nutrient content, temperature and salinity of Long Island Sound.. The study was conducted in winter to register conditions prior to warm-weather algal bloom; it will be repeated to determine seasonal changes. In this instance, phosphate content was discovered to be five times greater at the west end of the Sound than at the east end, the result of sewage discharged from NYC and its
heavily congested suburbs.
Dr. Peter Weyl of the Center performed the expedition's temperature and salinity studies. Chemical and nutrient determinations were made by personnel from Suffolk Community College, Selden, L.I.: Prof. Charles D. Hardy, and technical assistants Edwin L. Sherril, Allan T. Plitt and Harry H. White, Jr. The expedition made use of the docking facilities o'f the SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler.
Marine Alert aids public reporting of marine events. Primarily as a public service but also as a way to collect potential research data, the MSRC has set up a "hotline" telephone over which unusual or dangerous marine phenomena observed off the coasts of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut may be reported to the Center. Formerly, many such attempts on the part of concerned citizens were thwarted by their inability to select from a profusion of agencies the authorities responsible for the situation at hand.
The Center's program, dubbed "Marine Alert," provides a single telephone number (516-246-7777) where any type of marine observation–from a boat collision to a beached whale–may be called in. The Center relays the information to the proper agencies for action, later notifying callers of steps taken to deal with the problem. The Marine Alert phone is manned year-round, from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
Since November the Center has received complaints of five sizable oil slicks, a pesticide-induced fish kill, severe beach erosion threatening property, and a rash of calls concerning an epidemic of "angler" fish washed up on Long Island beaches. The public's use of Marine Alert has been good to date and is expected to increase sharply as the return of warm weather initiates the annual exodus to the seashore.
Sea Grant news. As all SUNY colleges have been informed, the State University and Cornell are applying as a consortium for "institutional" support under the provisions of the National Sea Grant Act of 1966. This Act, an amendment to the Marine Resources Engineering Development Act of the same year, provides that Federal grants be given to institutions to spur, through education and research, development of the nation's marine resources.
The Center is currently preparing a Sea Grant proposal to be submitted to the National Science Foundation, who administers the program, in the fall. If our effort is successful, funds from this source will back many of SUNY's marine activities. Thus, "Sea Grant news" may become a regular feature of the Newsletter.
For the application, the Center has gathered from 36 SUNY campuses the names and interest areas of faculty anxious to participate in a marine program, as well as descriptions of the marine-related curricula that these campuses now offer or propose to develop.
Federally designated "marine," the Great Lakes will fall under Sea Grant auspices. Dr. Robert Hennigan of the Water Resources Center, College of Forestry at Syracuse, will administer the Great Lakes portion of the program within SUNY.
The Newsletter would like to receive newsworthy items related to SUNY's marine sciences program. Such material might include reports of new marine-related courses or research projects, faculty appointments, grants, fellowships, etc. This material, subscription requests and miscellaneous inquiries should be addressed to Mrs. Judy Smith of the MSRC.
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