The Extreme Life of the Sea
Speaker Series: Dr. Steve Palumbi, Stanford Marine Biologist
Dinner, Tuesday, 6 October 2015, 18:30-20:30 pm, The China Club
Tales of the Most Amazing Life Forms Hidden Under the Sea
Event Details:
Stanford Club of HK is pleased to invite you to an enchanting evening on 6 October 2015 with Dr. Steve Palumbi, Director of Stanford Hopkins Marine Station. Steve will bring us into the fascinating world of marine biology, and talk about recent advances in ocean science at Stanford. He will speak about the Extreme Life of the Sea, the topic of his latest book, depicting tales of the most amazing life forms in the oceans, ranging from the fastest and deepest, to the hottest and oldest. Steve’s trip to Asia including Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai is sponsored by the Nature Pacific Foundation. Their mission is to preserve, restore and protect our oceans, and bring positive, lasting changes to marine environments which we and our children shall cherish. Through his research, writing, and conservation efforts, Steve is making us, the ordinary citizens, care more about the oceans – not just as an endless source of seafood, but a resource to preserve and treasure for generations to come.
Speaker’s Bio: Dr. Steve Palumbi
Dr. Steve Palumbi is director of Stanford Hopkins Marine Station in Monterey Bay, Calif., a Pew Fellow for Marine Conservation, and a professor of Biology at Stanford University. Dr. Palumbi’s professional interests include genomic research in marine biology, impact of climate change on coral reef, and lives of extreme animals in the ocean.
Palumbi has lectured extensively on human-induced evolutionary change, has used genetic detective work to identify whales for sale in retail markets, and is working on new methods to help design marine parks for conservation. His first book for non-scientists, The Evolution Explosion, documents the impact of humans on evolution. More recently, he has written how ordinary citizens can make a difference in reviving sustainable ecosystems and economies, in The Death and Life of Monterey Bay: A Story of Revival. He also helped write and research and appears in the BBC series The Future Is Wild and the History Channel‘s World Without People. Other recent films appearances include The End of the Line and an upcoming Canadian Broadcasting Corporation series One Ocean. Palumbi’s other passion: microdocumentaries. His Short Attention Span Science Theater site received a million hits last year.
Steve is a vivid speaker at TED, featured in numerous TV series and documentary films, and involved in policy making for ocean conservation at UN. Steve has long been fascinated by how quickly the world around us changes. His work on the genetics of marine organisms tries to focus on basic evolutionary questions but also on practical solutions to questions about how to preserve and protect the diverse life in the sea. DNA data on the genetics of marine populations like corals helps in the design and implementation of marine protected areas for conservation and fisheries enhancement. A second focus is on the use of molecular genetic techniques for the elucidation of past population sizes and dynamics of baleen whales, with the notion of recreating a better sense of the ecology of the virgin ocean. His latest conservation work includes application of genetics in marine reserves and fisheries enhancement, with projects in South Pacific, U.S., Bahamas, Palau, and the Philippines.
Professor Palumbi moved his laboratory from Harvard University in August 2002 to Stanford University’s Hopkin Marine Station. Stephen R. Palumbi received his Ph.D. from University of Washington in marine ecology. Steve is a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation, married to physician Mary Roberts, father of two teenagers, and founding member of the band Flagella and his band Sustainable Soul has several songs out, including “Crab Love” and “The Last Fish Left.”