Scripps Attends Explorers Club Annual Dinner

Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego leaders, scientists, and members of the Scripps Director's Cabinet attended the Explorers Club Annual Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on March 16, 2013.

The Scripps cohort was there to celebrate DEEPSEA CHALLENGE explorer James Cameron being awarded the Explorers Medal for his historic voyage to the Mariana Trench.

Scripps microbiologist Doug Bartlett was chief scientist on the expedition. In collaboration with Cameron's project, Bartlett and his science team obtained seawater, sediment cores, and deep-sea animals using deep-sea landers developed by Scripps development engineer Kevin Hardy. Scripps alumna Chris Symons was also a key member of Cameron's team. All three received public kudos from Cameron during his Explorers Medal acceptance speech.

Also in attendance from Scripps were Director's Cabinet Chair Steve Strachan, Director's Cabinet members Patty and Rick Elkus and their daughter Kristina (all three are also Explorers Club members), Executive Director of Birch Aquarium at Scripps Nigella Hillgarth, and Executive Director of Development Stuart Krantz.

The Explorers Club promotes the scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural, and biological sciences.

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