Annapolis Synthesis Center
In order to promote scientific synthesis activities, the Integration and Application Network has created an Annapolis Synthesis Center (ASC). The facility has an electronic conference room with high speed internet, video and telephone conferencing, projection capabilities, and adjacent break-out spaces. During synthesis sessions, IAN Science Integrators, Science Communicators, and/or Data Analysts can be made available, depending on the specific needs of the synthesis session. The ASC synthesis sessions are designed to produce synthetic publications in high profile scientific journals, as well as produce science communication products for broad dissemination (e.g., newsletters, web sites, posters). The ASC is now open and taking reservations.
Littoral 2006 Conference
On September 18-20, Jane Thomas from the IAN group traveled to Gdansk, Poland, to attend the Littoral 2006 conference, and participate in a LOICZ (Land Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone) workshop. As part of the workshop, which presented the various tools used by LOICZ, Jane gave a lecture on the use of conceptual diagrams in science communication, and led the group in an exercise where they drew their own conceptual diagrams.
New UMCES/CBPO Water Quality Analyst
UMCES recently hired Jeni Keisman to be a Water Quality Analyst at the Chesapeake Bay Program office in Annapolis, MD. She will be providing analytical support to the Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup. Jeni has a M.S. in sustainable development & conservation biology from the University of Maryland, and a BA in History from Saint Mary’s College of Maryland. She is currently a PhD candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University, where her dissertation research examines the effects of different leaf litters on soil microbial communities and nutrient cycling. Jeni spends most of her time outside of work running after her 1-yr-old son Parker and working on her thesis. She looks forward in the near future to resuming hobbies such as relaxing with her husband Vince, sailing, camping, and reading trashy fiction.
New Integration and Application Network Intern
In September, IAN welcomed Emily Benson as an autumn intern. During her semester-long internship, Emily will be working on a project to assess nitrogen sources to Upper Saranac Lake, NY, as well as providing support to the rest of the IAN staff. Emily was born and raised in Saranac Lake, NY, and recently graduated from Colgate University with a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Neuroscience. She is currently in the process of applying to various graduate programs in the field of aquatic ecology. While not at work, Emily enjoys reading, bicycling, and kayaking.