Newell Seminar: Stressors in Estuaries, March 29

(February 22, 2010)  New College of Florida will host an Elise B. Newell Seminar on Monday, March 29, entitled “Stressors in Estuaries:  A Multiple Stakeholder Approach.”  The event will take place at 4:00 pm in the Soo Bong Chae Auditorium in the Heiser Natural Sciences Complex (500 College Drive) on the College’s Bayfront Campus.  The keynote speaker for the event is Dr. James Sanders, director of the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography.  The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. James Sanders received his B.S. in Zoology from Duke University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Marine Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As director and professor at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, Dr. Sanders is known for his research in trace element biogeochemistry and often consults with science agencies and industrial groups. He currently serves as Board Chairman of SEACOOS, on the executive committee of CORE, and the Science Advisory Board of the EPA.

Dr. Sanders was the co-lead investigator for a large NOAA-Coastal Ocean program to use a mesocosm approach to understanding multiple stressors in an estuarine environment.  The research team had scientists and other stakeholders involved in the research to bring better management practices to the system based on science.  This holistic approach reflects the type of research needed in Sarasota Bay.

The Newell Seminar Series is sponsored by a grant through the Pritzker Marine Biology Research Center from Florida Sea Grant, a partnership between the Florida Board of Education, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association and Florida’s citizens, industries and governments. The mission of Florida Sea Grant is to use academic research, education and extension to create a sustainable coastal economy and environment.

The Newell Seminar series aims to enhance the capabilities of marine-related academic units in Florida by providing funds to bring disciplinary leaders to Florida university campuses.  Since 1986, over 90 distinguished speakers have delivered formal seminars and been involved in many visits and consultations with Florida’s faculty and students.

Scholars come from all over the United States and occasionally from another country, and represent numerous outstanding marine-related organizations. Recent presentations include: The Salt Marsh Paradigm Revisited; Climate Change and Coral Reef Resilience: Spreading Dead Zones and Consequences for Marine Ecosystems; Changing Approaches to Small Scale Fisheries Management; and Ecological Forecasting of Coastal and Intertidal Ecosystems.

For more information on the Newell Seminar at New College, please contact Dr. Sandra Gilchrist at  [email protected]u or (941) 487-45