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Jim Costopulos is CEO and Founder of Global Oceans, a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting ocean science research and exploration. Most recently he was President and equity partner at a US industrial products company focusing on supply chain integration and distribution management for major industrial clients. His experience in supply chain strategy, global logistics and international business partnerships was instrumental in developing the Global Oceans model. Mr. Costopulos holds a BS degree from the University of California, Irvine in Biology where he published research on marine invertebrate physiology in the journal of the Marine Biological Laboratory; with graduate work in marine aquaculture systems and invertebrate physiology at San Diego State University and Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute. He is a member of Global Underwater Explorers. |
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Dawn J. Wright, Ph.D. currently serves as Chief Scientist at Esri, Inc., a Redlands, California-based international supplier of Geographic Information System (GIS) software, web GIS and geodatabase management applications. Dr. Wright is also Professor of Geography and Oceanography at Oregon State University and Director of OSU’s Seafloor Mapping/Marine GIS Laboratory. She is a Member of the National Academy of Science’s Ocean Studies Board and Committee on Geophysical and Environmental Data; Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; and Fellow of Stanford University’s Aldo Leopold Leadership Program in science communication. Research interests include ocean informatics and cyberinfrastructure, tectonics of midocean ridges, benthic terrain and habitat characterization, and the processing and interpretation of high-resolution bathymetry, video and underwater photographic images. Dr. Wright has conducted field work in some of the most geologically active regions of the planet, including volcanoes under the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. |
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Sylvia A. Earle, Ph.D. is a National Geographic Society Explorer-in-Residence; Former chief scientist of NOAA; Founder of Deep Ocean Exploration and Research, Inc,; Founder, Mission Blue and SEAlliance; and Chair of the Adisory Councils of the Harte Research Institute and the Ocean platform in Google Earth. Dr. Earle serves as director for several corporate and nonprofit organizations including the Kerr McGee Corporation, the Aspen Institute, the Conservation Fund, Mote Marine Laboratory, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Rutgers Institute for Marine Science, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Ocean Futures. Dr. Earle has led more than a hundred expeditions, including leading the first team of woman aquanauts during the Tektite Project in 1970. Her research concerns marine ecosystems with special emphasis on exploration, conservation and the development and use of new technologies for access and effective operations in the deep sea and other remote environments. |
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Patrick N. Halpin, Ph.D. is the Gabel Associate Professor of the Practice of Marine Geospatial Ecology and Director of the Geospatial Analysis Program at the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Science at Duke University. Dr. Halpin specializes in geospatial analysis for ecological and conservation applications in marine and terrestrial environments, and is a principal investigator for the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS-SEAMAP) program which provides geospatial data on marine mammals, sea turtles and seabirds. He sits on a number of international scientific and conservation program steering committees including the U.S. National Committee of the Census of Marine Life; the international Scientific Steering Committee of the Census of Marine Life; and the Google Oceans Advisory Council. His research focuses on marine geospatial analysis, ecological applications of geographic information systems and remote sensing; marine conservation and ecosystem-based management. |
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George P. Hickey is Senior Specialist/Chemist, Quality and Regulatory Affairs, Cardinal Health in Waukegan, Illinois, USA. As a chemist, auditor and research scientist at both Cardinal and Baxter Healthcare, his two decades of experience in research and development, laboratory protocols, quality control, laboratory hygiene and experimental design brings a valuable perspective to Global Oceans’ efforts to develop and install modular lab systems on chartered vessels that meet research design, operational and safety standards. Mr. Hickey is emeritus Course Director for the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI); and an Instructor Trainer for Divers Alert Network (DAN). He holds multiple technical certifications and a business management degree. |