Dr. Ellen Prager
We have been excited to discover that OMSI's Science Pubs aren't just for grownups; several locations always welcome all ages, most of the rest allow minors if accompanied by parents, and only Salem is exclusively 21 and older. When I read about Dr. Ellen Prager, I knew I definitely had to take Jasper to see her. He's currently fascinated with the deep sea and interested in marine biology, and she's an accomplished marine bioligist. She has served as the chief scientist at Aquarius Reef Base, the world's only underwater marine research station. (She explained that negotiating the change in water pressure is tricky and time consuming for deep sea divers, and the undersea base allows scientists to stay underwater for days at a time and get much more research done.) She has just written a book, Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Oceans' Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter
, which, despite its humorous title, is a book with a serious conservation mission. Dr. Prager seeks so highlight some of the strange and wonderful beasts of the deep that we are only just beginning to get acquainted with. After all, if we haven't ever heard of them, why should we do our best to save them? And she gives the reader plenty of reasons, detailing the many inventive uses humans have found for sea creatures. In her presentation, she explained that many of the chemicals produced naturally by sea creatures have proven to have greatly significant pharmaceutical use. Study of sea sponges, for example, lead to the development of AZT, the first important drug used to combat HIV, and other drugs that are being developed in the fight against cancer. What I didn't know was that any promising sea creature chemical cannot be developed into a commercial product until the animal it comes from can be farmed for this purpose, or the chemical can be synthesized- wild harvesting is out. She talked at some length about ocean conservation, and how vital it is to our planet's well being. According to NOAA, humans have actually explored less than 5% of the world's oceans. We genuinely know more about the moon, for example, because our space programs enjoy vastly better funding. Dr. Prager stressed that there are many, many ways to help conserve ocean life, including establishing no-take marine reserves, encouraging sustainable fishing practices, improving aquaculture, eliminating subsidies for unsustainable fishing, increasing awareness and education, discovering the beauty of our oceans with responsible diving, kayaking, and fishing, and telling our lawmakers that we care about the ocean. Jasper thoroughly enjoyed hearing her presentation. I was pleased he got to hear not only about marine biology, but also her ideas about good citizenship.
, which, despite its humorous title, is a book with a serious conservation mission. Dr. Prager seeks so highlight some of the strange and wonderful beasts of the deep that we are only just beginning to get acquainted with. After all, if we haven't ever heard of them, why should we do our best to save them? And she gives the reader plenty of reasons, detailing the many inventive uses humans have found for sea creatures. In her presentation, she explained that many of the chemicals produced naturally by sea creatures have proven to have greatly significant pharmaceutical use. Study of sea sponges, for example, lead to the development of AZT, the first important drug used to combat HIV, and other drugs that are being developed in the fight against cancer. What I didn't know was that any promising sea creature chemical cannot be developed into a commercial product until the animal it comes from can be farmed for this purpose, or the chemical can be synthesized- wild harvesting is out. She talked at some length about ocean conservation, and how vital it is to our planet's well being. According to NOAA, humans have actually explored less than 5% of the world's oceans. We genuinely know more about the moon, for example, because our space programs enjoy vastly better funding. Dr. Prager stressed that there are many, many ways to help conserve ocean life, including establishing no-take marine reserves, encouraging sustainable fishing practices, improving aquaculture, eliminating subsidies for unsustainable fishing, increasing awareness and education, discovering the beauty of our oceans with responsible diving, kayaking, and fishing, and telling our lawmakers that we care about the ocean. Jasper thoroughly enjoyed hearing her presentation. I was pleased he got to hear not only about marine biology, but also her ideas about good citizenship. 
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