H. Burr Steinbach Visiting Scholars Program

2008 Schedule

July 15-16 ~ Dr. Bob Ballard, Institute for Exploration
Tuesday, July 15, 10am, Redfield Auditorium - "From Alvin to the E/V Okeanos Explorer"
Tuesday, July 15, 2pm, Redfield Auditorium - "Use of tele-presence technology in ocean exploration"
Wednesday, July 16, 2pm, Bigelow 217 - "History of Deep Submergence Technology" - Student Only Lecture

August 19-22 ~ Dr. Susan Lozier, Duke University
Wednesday, August 20, 10:30am, Clark 507 - "Deconstructing the Conveyer Belt"
Wednesday, August 20, 3pm, Clark 509 - "Into the Wild - Launching a Scientific Career" - Student Only Lecture
Thursday, August 21, 10:30am, Clark 509 - "A Hitchiker's Guide to Ocean Biology: Inroads with Physics" - Student Only Lecture

August 25-28 ~ Dr. Bob Cowen, University of Miami
Tuesday, August 26, 3pm, Redfield Auditorium - "Population connectivity in marine systems - a bio-physical perspective"
Wednesday, August 27, 10am, Redfield Auditorium - "Physical, biological and technological applications to studying the larval dynamics of large pelagic fishes"

Past H. Burr Steinbach Visiting Scholars

In 1969, H. Burr Steinbach, serving as first Dean of graduate Studies at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, started a special program of visiting scholars specifically for the graduate students. This program, run every year since then, is intended to give our graduate students an opportunity to meet leading scientists and engineers in an informal, relaxed atmosphere where the free exchange of information and ideas is promoted. The program is run entirely by graduate students in the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering, with all visiting scholars determined by student interest and scheduled and hosted by students.

Scheduling is primarily, but not exclusively, during the summer months, with each distinguished scientist in residence for a week. Each visiting scholar is asked to give a minimum of three talks and be available for consultation with individuals or small groups of interested students. Appropriate social events are organized and hosted by the students to provide opportunities for the visiting scholar to meet students and staff.

During the summer there are close to 200 students in residence at WHOI. The majority is enrolled as full-time graduate students in the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering. They are joined by advanced graduate students in the Summer Program in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, and advanced undergraduates in our Summer Student Fellowship Program and Minority Fellowship Program. These students come from colleges and universities across the country and around the world. The Visiting Scholars Program serves as a catalyst for bringing the students and staff members together in an atmosphere of stimulating intellectual exchange.

Dr. Steinbach, more fondly remembered as "Burr," passed away in December 1981 after a long and distinguished career as a research biologist, department chairman at the University of Chicago, Director of the Marine Biological Laboratory, and Dean at WHOI (see Dr. Steinbach’s CV). After a great deal of thought and with the approval of the Steinbach family, it was decided to pay tribute to Burr Steinbach’s dedication to students by naming the visiting scholars program in his honor. Through the generosity of alumni, friends, colleagues, and associates, we are pleased to be able to continue this program.