The Aquarium has been providing free lectures and films by scientists, environmental writers, photographers and others since 1972. The Aquarium Lecture Series is presented free to the public through the generosity of the Lowell Institute, which has been providing funding for free public lectures at universities and museums since 1836.
Lectures are free and open to the public. Registration is requested. All programs start at 7 p.m. in the Aquarium's Harborside Learning Lab, unless otherwise noted below. Programs last approximately one hour followed by a reception.
Photo:Dr. Josh Idjadi
Dr. Josh Idjadi, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, New England Aquarium
The Causes and Consequences of Coral Decline and Some Potentially Encouraging Trends
Josh will discuss the scientific debate about the causes of the decline of coral reefs, look at how this might affect the associated reef community, and talk about the recent recovery of a potentially essential algae-eating urchin. Much of Josh’s work has focused on the role of corals in providing habitat for other reef-dwelling organisms and the importance of algae-eating urchins in maintaining coral-dominated reefs. Research sites have included Jamaica, Australia, and Moorea in French Polynesia. These sites have provided a variety of coral species to study, not to mention some great underwater views.
Register online (free)
Photo: Dr. Andrew Bruckner,
NOAA & The Living Ocean Foundation
April 6
Dr. Dan Thornhill, Doherty Marine Biology Postdoctoral Scholar, Bowdoin College
Coral reefs
Dan is interested in the evolution and ecology of marine invertebrates. Ultimately, his research investigates the physiological, ecological, and evolutionary processes driving speciation in marine environments. Recently, he has studied marine organisms from tropical coral reefs, Norwegian fjords, deep-sea methane seeps, and the waters around Antarctica. In the near term, much of his work will focus on symbioses in corals and siboglinid annelids. In addition to being also important 'keystone' species in coral reef and chemosynthetic ecosystems, these organisms offer a diversity of both host and symbiont taxa, enabling comparative testing of many ecological and evolutionary hypotheses.
Register online (free)
Photo: Dr. Andrew Bruckner
April 13
Dr. Randi Rotjan, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, New England Aquarium
Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are justifiably famous for their beauty and spectacular biodiversity, which certainly matches and possibly exceeds that of tropical rainforests. Unfortunately, coral reefs are in decline worldwide due to both natural and human impacts. These impacts have had particularly adverse effects on hard corals, which are the major architects responsible for building reefs. Because their structure provides habitat for a high diversity of other reef creatures, maintaining healthy corals is the key to conserving coral reef biodiversity. Parrotfish are colorful and charismatic reef fish, and they are thought to contribute to the maintenance of healthy coral reefs by grazing seaweeds that could otherwise overgrow corals. However, coral reefs are complicated ecosystems, and although parrotfish may benefit corals, they may sometimes cause unexpected damage.
Randi’s research addresses the interface between ecology, symbiosis, and behavior to ultimately determine how organisms interact with their environments. Although she works on a wide variety of model organisms, she most often works on ecosystem engineers, which are organisms that have a disproportionate influence on their habitat (such as reef-building corals).
Register online (free)
Photo: W. J. Nichols
April 27
Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, biologist, researcher, author
Seeing is Believing: Conservation Tourism and Saving Sea Turtles
There are few experiences as joyful and inspiring as seeing a sea turtle in the wild. Our lives are increasingly devoid of encounters with wild nature. Conservation tourism provides a way to rediscover nature while feeling certain that your experiences endangered species and places. Join renowned marine biologist “J” Nichols on a fascinating journey through his team's eye-opening research, collaborative efforts to restore Pacific sea turtles and learn about seeTURTLES.org. Warning: your next vacation may involve sea turtles!
Register online (free)
Photo: Wildlife Trust
May 4
Dr. Alonso Aguirre, VP for Conservation Medicine, Wildlife Trust
Sea Turtles as Sentinels of Ecological Health: Linking Sea To Shore
In the new field of conservation medicine, which links wildlife medicine to ecosystem health. Dr. Aguirre develops new techniques, tools and theoretical approaches. He also ensures that every advance in his science is communicated to health professionals on the ground, all over the world. He considers a first priority is to establish health management plans for the prevention of emerging diseases crossing the species barriers.
Register online (free)
Photo: Kate Sardi
May 11
Connie Merigo, biologist and Stranding Program Director, New England Aquarium
The Elusive Leatherback Sea Turtle
Delve into the life history and biology of the critically endangered leatherback sea turtle. The focus will be on habitat use in the Gulf of Maine and will discuss human induced threats.
Connie’s current leatherback research project is on the health of wild caught and disentangled leatherbacks. Methods and clinical findings from the past three years will be presented.
Register online (free)
Image: David Ives
May 21
Kathy Streeter, New England Aquarium
What Sea Turtles Hear - And How We Found Out!
What are the hearing capabilities of sea turtles? Until recently nobody knew how a sea turtle would respond to a hearing study. The New England Aquarium received support from the Office of Naval Research to conduct a 7-year hearing study with Myrtle, the green sea turtle in the Giant Ocean Tank. The objective was to establish a behavioral audiogram that would improve our understanding of what sounds have the potential to impact sea turtles. There is very little known about the hearing capabilities of threatened and endangered sea turtles. Yet these animals are found in all oceans, both offshore and inshore - where they are exposed to a wide variety natural and human generated sound.
Register online (free)
Photo: John Chisolm
May 26
Dr. Greg Skomal, Senior Fisheries Biologist, Massachusetts Marine Fisheries
Sharks in New England: A Closer Look
Not a lot of people associate cool temperate waters with sharks, but New England provides valuable habitat to several oceanic and coastal species. Packed with video and incredible photography, this presentation highlights the diversity and natural history of these elusive creatures. This seminar provides a unique glimpse into how researchers study the biology and ecology of sharks using traditional tools as well as new high technology gadgets.
Register online (free)
Photo: iStockphoto/Valerie Crafter
June 1
Dr. John Mandelman, Research Scientist, Edgerton Research Laboratory, New England Aquarium
Trash Fish or Getting Trashed: Skates in New England Waters
Primarily caught as bycatch, skates are generally regarded as a nuisance to commercial fishermen. However, with population declines, skates have received increased conservation attention in recent years. We are just beginning to understand the biological profiles of these animals, their importance ecologically, and how they cope with the rigors of fishing capture.
Register online (free)
Photo: University of New England
June 8
Dr. James Sulikowski, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, University of New England
The Spiny Dogfish. How This Voracious Predator Affects the Ecosystem Health and Fishery Resources Within the Gulf of Maine
The stock status of the spiny dogfish is a contentious issue. For example, "k" selected life history characteristics are thought to preclude this species from rebounding before 2020. However, recent survey data suggests biologically unrealistic population increases have already occurred. If this and other anomalies in population structure hold true, the questions now becomes what could be the cause of this dramatic increase of a voracious predator, and what are the implications for the ecosystem and commercial fishing industry within the Gulf of Maine?
Register online (free)
Jerry Ryan & Scott Dowd
The Forgotten Aquariums of Boston
2009 marks the 150th anniversary of the Boston Aquarial Gardens—the first institution in the world exclusively dedicated to exhibiting marine life. The Boston Aquarial Gardens created innovations and refined techniques that shaped future aquariums to this day. The short, turbulent and ultimately tragic history of this early aquarium includes core questions that continue to be relevant. Jerry Ryan is the author of The Forgotten Aquariums of Boston, the first (and only) book on the Aquarial Gardens.
Register online (free)
The New England Aquarium presents this lecture series with the generous support of the Lowell Institute.
For more information, contact: Vickie Cataldo at vcataldo@neaq.org
or 617-973-0235.
The Aquarium Lecture Series is free and open to the public.
Previous Aquarium Lectures are available on-line through the WGBH Forum Network.
All lectures are ASL interpreted.
There are no snow dates provided for these programs. Unless the Aquarium is closed due to weather issues, the programs will go on as planned.
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