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A public talk
by
Dr Clyde
Roper Tuesday, 25th
March 2003: 7.30pm - 9.30pm Prince
George's Park Residence (PGP) To RSVP please
contact Ms.
Tan Ai Lian ALL
ARE WELCOME! How to get there See map To get to NUS by bus,
In NUS, take NUS
Shuttle Bus No. A2 to the PGP terminal.
Background to the
talk '"This online exhibit explores and interprets the mystery, beauty and complexity of giant squids - the world's largest invertebrates and is based upon material presented in the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History's exhibit "In Search of Giant Squids"'
A pioneer in the field of bioluminescence (the production of cool, chemical light by living organisms) in mid-water cephalopods, Roper and a colleague proved the hypothesis of counter-illumination, by which deep-sea organisms use bioluminescent light to camouflage their silhouettes from predators in the blackness of the deep sea. He has discovered and described a number of new species, new genera and a new family of cephalopods. Roper's earlier research was conducted on deep-sea species captured during numerous oceanographic expeditions in the world oceans. More recently, Roper is directing his field research toward living animals, combining observations from deep-diving research submersibles with work on coral reef species. Roper and his colleagues have created a multimedia, on-line database that provides information to identify species of deep-sea squids and octopuses in situ and shows video sequences of living cephalopods. Roper's field studies have taken him to the waters of Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, western Africa, Japan and throughout the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, using oceanographic ships, submersibles and SCUBA. Since the mid-80's Roper, colleagues and students have conducted a long-term project studying the diversity and ecology of larval cephalopods in the Gulf Stream in order to understand their relationships with the Caribbean fauna. Working at the Smithsonian Marine Station in Fort Pierce, Florida, they evaluate and document the lives of these animals and relate the data to the distribution and abundance of adult populations, some species of which are important fishery resources (calamari). A strong advocate for public understanding of the deep oceans, Roper uses the giant squid as an icon to introduce people to Inner Space, the deep sea. His recent research and educational activities include serving as Chief Scientist on several expeditions in search of living giant squid. This includes explorations of the deep reaches of the Southwestern Pacific. These expeditions resulted in two television documentaries (National Geographic (1998), Discovery Channel (2000)) and a First Person profile, "Eyeball to Eyeball" (2000). Roper received his bachelor's degree in biology from Transylvania University, Lexington, KY (1959). He completed his Master's Degree in Marine Sciences (1962) and his Ph.D. studies (1966) at the Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Miami, Florida, now the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. Roper received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Transylvania University (1997). He was elected to The Explorers Club (2000) and serves on the Executive Board of the Washington Group, to Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society (1998). He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by peers in the Cephalopod International Advisory Council (2000), the outstanding Alumnus Award by Kentucky Advocates of Higher Education (1998) and the Earthwatch Institute Film Award (2001). Roper has published more than 100 works in peer-reviewed scientific journals and books as well as articles in popular magazines and in encyclopedias. He serves on several editorial boards, including the Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, Northeastern Naturalist, Southeastern Naturalist. The United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization published Roper's Catalog of Cephalopods of the World in 1984, now undergoing revision in a 2nd edition. The book describes the biology and distribution of cephalopods that are used for human food and fishery resources around the world. Roper believes strongly in the rational use of cephalopods as a potential food source for humans. Occasionally, he teaches cephalopod cooking classes around the country to demonstrate his point. Roper is a frequent public lecturer and gives courses and study tours in marine science around the world, frequently in association with a variety of Smithsonian Associates Programs. Education in the sciences is an important priority; he participates actively in school programs and in the development of science curricula on oceanography in public schools. He worked closely with the Smithsonian's Natural Partners Program in electronic classrooms and participates in electronic expeditions, transmitted to students around the world. Roper serves on advisory boards for research and educational institutes, e.g. Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, Humboldt Field Station (Maine), Smithsonian Marine Station (Florida), the National Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education, Smithsonian Magazine/U.S. Tour Operators Association Environmental Conservation Award. He also serves as thesis and dissertation advisor for Masters and Ph.D. students and as Adjunct Professor or Adjunct Researcher at the George Washington University (Washington, DC), the Rosensteil School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami (Florida) and the Mote Marine Laboratory (Sarasota, Florida). He serves as consultant on cephalopods and marine science for exhibitions in museums and aquaria in the United States and abroad. Roper's commitment to research, exploration and education in marine sciences has led to a number of TV documentary film productions with National Geographic, Discovery, BBC and numerous European and Japanese production firms. He appears frequently on radio and TV programs worldwide. Residents of Vienna, VA, Roper and his wife, Ingrid, have two adult sons.  Download high-res poster ALL ARE WELCOME! |
