Peter Edmunds received his Ph.D. from Glasgow University. As a professor , his research focuses on tropical reef corals and the physiological ecology of marine invertebrates, with particular emphasis on the unique atributes of clonal life histories.
Check out what Dr. Edmunds had to say.
Q: What did you learn or find on the mission?
A: Our mission was productive, yet frustrating. It was productive in terms of polishing our scientific approaches to studying coral reproduction and developing techniques to study small coral larvae (the small free swimming "worm-like" babies that settle onto hard surfaces and grow into small corals....then to big corals!). It turns out that coral larvae are very challenging to work with on all levels — to collect them, keep them alive and measure their extremely small metabolic rates. By bringing together an international team of coral experts from the US, Australia and the UK, we were able to combine our skills, swap experiences and scientific skills, and make substantial progress in defining our research questions.
On the frustrating side, we spent a lot of time and money, yet obtained only a few coral larvae. This is the nature of the fickle system we are working on — the larvae are "supposed" to be released on New Moons in April May and June...yet sometimes corals do what they please and choose not to cooperate! In 2002 it seems likely that a spell on stormy, dark and rainy weather may have delayed larvae release until after our work was over. However, we were able to retool to address alternative research questions and used our time to ask how different light levels affect the photosynthetic capacity of corals across a wide depth profile.
Q: What will you seek to find on future expeditions?
A: Understanding more about the effects of temperature on coral larvae remains a major goal of our research effort. This is a critical topic as it will shed light on the way that coral reefs will respond to changes in global climate as our planet warms.
Currently we are looking at alternative coral reef locations (such as Hawaii and Australia) where we might be able to obtain coral larvae more reliably. This year, we already have worked again in Florida with the same result as last year — no larvae were obtained. Faced with poor/non-existent larval release in two consecutive years, we are considering the possibility that are results might reflect a broader reproductive failure in the species we study.
Q: What do you find most rewarding and also most difficult in your line of work?
A: There is no doubt that the most rewarding parts of my work are the opportunities to learn more about a truly stunning ecosystem (i.e., coral reefs) and the sense of doing "meaningful" biological research (i.e., helping to understand a system that embodies biological diversity, inspires the human spirit, and provides immeasurable biological and fiscal wealth to tropical nations).
The complexity of coral reefs offer an intellectual challenge that stretches the ability of even the most gifted of scientists . For myself, it is only after two decades of research that I feel I can speak with some knowledge of how coral reefs and reef corals function, yet even this commitment leaves me realizing that there still are vast expanses of uncharted waters of uncertain details and missing information concerning the biology of coral reefs.
It will only be through the passion and commitment of the talented scientists that I have been fortunate to work with that we can hope to preserve coral reefs for future generations. I consider one of the greatest rewards of my career to be the legacy of awesome students I have been fortunate to train and work with, and the passion and commitment they too now channel into the study of coral reefs.
The most difficult aspects of my work are securing the financial and physical resources necessary to learn more about coral reefs. Despite a plethora of reports, articles and TV shows describing the problems, there still is a massive shortage of resources necessary to study the problems. All coral biologists I know spend a substantial fraction of their time writing proposals and competing for "large" funds that the business and political worlds would consider "trivial" sums. The competitive process of grant writing is essential to support scientific excellence, but the rejection of so many good proposals is a huge drain on the human assets most able to make progress in understanding the serious environmental issues currently threatening the survival of coral reefs.
Q: What advice would you give to someone embarking on a career in science?
A: That's easy! I believe passion and commitment to the beasts, plants or ecosystem that you study to be central to success and career satisfaction.
Work hard and strive for academic excellence. Often I am asked which university programs are best for marine biology — while there are some wonderful programs available, ultimate you just need to be as good as you can, regardless of the university you attend.
Get any relevant experience you can! Volunteer your time, work in the labs of professors, get to know them, and show you are interested! As a young university student, my life was changed by one charismatic and gifted professor that changed the direction of my life and set me on a course that has culminated in my marine biology career. As a professor, I am saddened by the large numbers of students in my classes who do not fully participate in the educational process and fail to see universities for what they are - doorways to the world that are revealed and opened by education but through which students must take the first steps.
Persevere and try to be flexible! There will always be brilliant students and young scientists that walk straight into wonderful jobs. However, it has been my experience, that most of the rewarding jobs in biology go to just smart and committed people who can persevere through the challenges of lean jobs and shortages of money until "the job" finally comes by.
