Craig is temporarily a post-doctoral fellow at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute who is looking for a permanent position. He spends most of his time balancing his overwhelming geekdom with normalcy so he can function in the real world. Luckily his wife likes his geekiness.
Peter Etnoyer is a Graduate Research Associate at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He studies deep corals and ocean fronts, and he loves to be on the water.
Kevin Zelnio is a Graduate Student Researcher at Penn State studying the ecology of hydrothermal vent and methane seep communities. He raises awareness of the plight of the spineless through folk music.
In the Order of the Science Scouts of Exemplary Repute and Above Average Physique, I justed moved above PZ. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Sure PZ claims to be the unofficial royalty of all Cephalopod. He even claims to be waiting for the molluscan mothership to land. But when it comes right down to the wire, PZ will have to address some serious questions about zebrafish. Between you and me, when it comes to the "inordinately fond of invertebrates" badge I have PZ beat. First, where is PZ's tattoo? I have one! Second, as you can clearly see in the photo below, that is Steve O'Shea (middle and of giant and colossal squid fame) with his arm around me! The other is Lou Ziedberg (right), a squid biologist who works on the Humboldt Squid.
Seriously, O'Shea has been a prominent voice on both very large squids and marine conservation. I was luckily enough to host him for a seminar at MBARI. As expected, the talk was spectacular, witty and full of content, covering sex, growth, conservation, behavior, ecology, and of course really big squids. O'Shea maybe the hardest working man in science. In biology, Steve is a true rock star. My final comment is that if Steve is anywhere within a 1,000 mile radius to give a lecture take some time off, load up the car, and go see his talk.
Comments
Did you try to convince either of them to start a blog?
Posted by: matthew | June 28, 2007 10:34 AM
Hey, I've never claimed to be cephalopod royalty. I am merely a devoted supplicant and modest worshipper of all things beautiful and tentacled.
Posted by: PZ Myers | June 28, 2007 11:22 AM
Got a chance to meet and hear Dr. O'Shea speak this past Sunday at the TONMOCON II. Definitely worth making an effort to see him present. He is an engaging speaker.
He is currently working a great deal with whales, as they seem to be washing up with unexpected frequency in his neighborhood of New Zealand. He suspects bottom trawling is having a negative impact on the whales' prey items and may be to blame.
Posted by: Jason | June 28, 2007 12:39 PM
"Did you try to convince either of them to start a blog?"
Dr. O'Shea hangs out at www.tonmo.com.
-David
Posted by: David | June 29, 2007 4:40 PM
I love the picture! I can tell you have made the right career choice, contrary to polls/surverys.
Posted by: Deborah | July 5, 2007 2:58 PM
I had a ball Craig. Looking forward to coming back in '08 and doing some real science! MBARI is out of this world.
Steve
Posted by: Steve O'Shea | July 21, 2007 11:23 PM