Chief JASON Project Marine Scientist

Associate Professor, Department of Biology at the University of Houston, Texas and Research Associate with the Department of Geology and Geophysics Rice University, Houston

2. Education and Professional Training: I received my B.A. in Biology from San Jose State University in California, and my Ph.D. in Biology from the University of California in Santa Barbara. After graduation, I did postdoctoral work at the University of California in Santa Barbara, and now am at the University of Houston in Texas.

3. Mission on the JASON Project: My colleague Dan Gleason and I will be studying the effects of ultraviolet light on corals. Over the past few years there have been several episodes of severe coral bleaching on many reefs in the Caribbean. This periodic bleaching occurs when corals lose all or most of the single-celled algae that live within their tissues. Once the algae are gone, you can see the white, stony skeleton underneath the transparent tissue of the coral. The bleaching appears to be caused by unusually high water temperatures, but ultraviolet light can also stress corals. During bleaching events the water is exceptionally clear, and UV light can penetrate far beneath the water. We will be conducting experiments to determine if natural levels of ultraviolet light can cause bleaching in Belizean corals. As part of my mission, I look forward to interacting with studentsÑ both those who will be with us as Argonauts and those at the downlink sites. I feel that scientists have a responsibility to educate and inspire young people to pursue a career in science. I hope to be able to spark the interests of young people by showing them how exciting science can be.

4. How much time do you think you have spent underwater? In the last 20 years I have spent between 6,000 and 7,000 hours underwater, in addition to a project where I spent 10 days working out of an underwater habitat without coming to the surface.

5. What made you decide to be a scientist? My decision to be a scientist was based on curiosity and fascination: fascination for marine life. The vocation to become a scientist just sort of fell into place to satisfy my curiosity. It was natural that I should ask questions and become a scientist. I was 14 or 15 when I really sort of decided that science was my interest.

6. Did you take a lot of science classes in high school? I took the courses which one normally takes in high school to prepare for college. I took physics, chemistry, and biology, which I liked a lot.

7. When you were growing up, who were your heroes? I was certainly awed by Jacques Cousteau, but I would say that the early astronauts were my heroes. I thought it was pretty amazing when these guys went to moon.

8. Why do you think young people should study science? I think students should study science to gain an understanding of the physical and biological world that surrounds them. Given the massive alteration of the environment that we as humans are inflicting on the world, I believe that the quality of life we current enjoy will continue to decrease. Certainly science cannot in itself prevent this, but an educated public can. This education must include at least a basic understanding. The more people know, the more effective they can be in acting to control the deterioration of the planet.

9. Why are you involved in the JASON Project? I first became involved in the Project in 1991, during Voyage III, to the Galapagos Islands, in Ecuador. There I studied how herbivorous damselfishes promote the diversity of marine plants by selectively grazing and defending their territories against other herbivores. I believe in the goals of the JASON Project and enjoy interacting with all involved, especially the kids.

10. If you weren't in your profession, what would you be? I haven't a clue. I never considered being anything other than a biologist.

11. Do you think your job is fun? And why? Oh, yeah.É I wouldnÕt be doing it if it wasnÕt. Sometimes it is lots of hard work, but overall it is a pleasure. The reason I find my job fun is that it involves problem-solving. The most exciting part is when you are doing original research and discover something that nobody knew before. I wouldnÕt want to do anything other than marine biology.

12. How do your kids describe your job? What do they think of what you do? My oldest daughter is 17, and she thinks that I lead an exciting and adventurous life. I get to go off to exciting places all the time, so she thinks thatÕs pretty cool. My other daughter is 21/2 and she hasn't a clue what I do.

13. If a student wants someday to do what you do, what can he or she do to prepare? I would echo what Dr. Ballard says: ÒIf students want to pursue science, they must realize that it is a discipline. It takes a lot of hard work to the learn the basics. But once you learn the basics, thereÕs a lot out here that you can do, there are a lot of problems to be solvedÑand that is the fun part of it.Ó

14. If you had just one message for students, what would it be? The message that I would send to students is to pursue things in life that you feel passionate about. And thatÕs the most important thing that you can do.

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Gene Carl Feldman (gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov) (301) 286-9428
Todd Carlo Viola, JASON Foundation for Education (todd@jason.org)