::People Power:: (Main Page)

People Power!

It’s no secret that biologists aren’t rich. It can be tough to make a living at what we do, so it’s a good thing we aren’t in it for the money. The rewards are found in watching a chick hatch and grow through the summer and then being lucky enough to watch it leap from the nest for the first time. The rewards are found in holding a fish in your hand which you’ve previously only seen on the pages of an identification key. Rewards are found when reading a scientific journal article and seeing your work cited, and knowing that your research has advanced scientific knowledge in a small, progressive fashion.

Research. By definition, we search again and again…year after year. We observe the marine ecosystem for changes that may occur between years or locations. All the success on this project is a direct result of hardworking people. Whether in the field or in the office, a positive attitude and dedication are needed to get the work done. People involved in our studies are came from diverse backgrounds but share a love and enthusiasm for their work. We invite you to learn more about the individual scientists by clicking on their portrait below.



Project People

Seabird and Forage Fish Biologists: Click on the thumbnails below to read more about us...
John Piatt	Alisa Abookire	Michael Shultz	Michael Litzow	Thomas Van Pelt
April Nielsen	Martin Robards	Gary Drew	Stephani Zador	Suzann Speckman
Jared Figurski	Brian Smith	Marc Romano	Greg Snedgen	Ann Harding
Sasha Kitaysky	Mayumi Arimitsu	Shiway Wang	Michelle Wada	Claire Dubuisson



Cooperators

George Rose, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Vicki Friesen, Queen's University (Canada)
Dan Roby, Oregon State University
John Wingfield, Department of Zoology, University of Washington
Gordie Swartzman, Applied Physics Lab, University of Washington
Jim Estes, USGS, University of Santa Cruz
Don Croll, University of Santa Cruz
Vernon Byrd, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, USFWS
Keith Hobsen, University of Saskatchewan
Pat Monaghan, University of Glasgow



Volunteers

Volunteers are a vital part of our research program. Field work can be intense and may require a lot of people. For example, one to drive the boat, one to record data, three to handle the net, etc.... and when the day’s work is done, everyone has to pitch in to keep the camp going by making food, preparing or repairing gear, and entering data on portable computers, etc. Volunteer opportunities are a win-win deal, it helps us fill our needs, and give eager young biologists and interested citizens a chance to work in the field. Plus, volunteering is a good way for the budding biologist to be sure that the work we do is right for them- field research seems a lot less glamorous after some long rainy days kneeling in mud and guano for hours at a time.

Here is an example of a volunteer advertisement:

VOLUNTEER FIELD BIOLOGIST NEEDED to help us with Alaskan seabird field research during summer 2000. This will be the fifth field season of a five-year project studying how seabird populations in lower Cook Inlet respond to changes in forage fish stocks. Our work includes: colony monitoring of murres, kittiwakes, puffins, gulls, and pigeon guillemots; surveys for seabirds at sea; measurement of nearshore fish availability using beach seines; and midwater trawling in conjunction with hydroacoustic surveys for pelagic fish availability. Fieldwork will begin mid-May and continue through August or September. We live in tents and work long hours in all kinds of weather, so resilience, resourcefulness, and a cheerful attitude are major prerequisites for the job. Previous experience living in remote situations would be a big plus, as would marine boating experience. Other relevant skills include: bird banding/resighting; extended behavioral observations; avian blood sampling; radio telemetry experience; mechanical aptitude. We will pay all transportation expenses including RT airfare to Anchorage. Food and lodging will be provided, and a small stipend may be available. To apply, send cover letter, resume/CV, and names/contact info of three references ASAP to John F. Piatt, Alaska Biological Science Center, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503. Feel free to email application to John_Piatt@usgs.gov, or fax to (907) 786-3636. Be sure to specify beginning and ending dates of availability.

Volunteer Paper Work



Poetry Page

CISeaFFS, pronounced "Sisyphus", stands for Cook Inlet Seabird and Forage Fish Study. In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was the founder and king of Corinth; son of Aeolus and Enarete. Sisyphus’s name stems from sophos, meaning wise, and he was dubbed by Homer as ‘the most crafty of men’. Sisyphus was condemned in the Underworld to roll a heavy stone up the peak of a mountain and start all over again when the stone rolled down from the top. He was to begin his labor again and again for all eternity. We on the CISeaFFS project are compassionate to our Greek namesake, as we often feel like our work is never done. We spend 6 months of the year on the ‘field season’, which involves all the preparation of datasheets, gear, food, tents, necessities for sampling in a remote camp and all the sampling of seabirds and fish from May thru early September. The other 6 months are spent organizing the data we collected during the field season, analyzing the data, writing reports, and trying frantically to get products completed before the next field season rolls around and we accumulate another whole set of data and start the cycle all over again!

What did Sisyphus do to deserve such a hateful task in the Underworld? Ironically, it seems that Sisyphus was punished for being much too wise and clever, as he was bestowed his task after he cheated Death and escaped from Hades several times. Thus, the gods accorded him the enormous task to deprive him of any free time during which he might devise new ways of escape!