Outreach

WHAT COOL FISH LIVE IN ICY ANTARCTICA?

The Southern Ocean that surrounds Antarctica is one of the coldest on earth and hovers freezing temperatures year-round. What cool fish live in icy Antarctica? In this short scientific graphic novel, we present the history of Antarctica and how it became the icy continent. These glacial conditions prevented most fish species from living there, but one group, the notothenioids, evolved a way to survive and even thrive in the ice-cold Antarctic waters. They diversified from the surface to the dark depths of the ocean, from being just a few centimeters long to extremely large, and in many other surprising ways. And among them, the white-blooded icefishes are also certainly some of the strangest fish on the planet! But today, Antarctica is changing fast, raising concerns about the survival of these unique fish.

A MYSTERIOUS DISEASE IN ANTARCTIC FISH

While conducting research in Antarctica in 2018, we were surprised to capture many specimens of two species of fish that had massive skin tumors. In this short graphic novel, we will take you on our scientific expedition to Antarctica aboard the US Antarctic Research Vessel Laurence M. Gould to capture those diseased fish, set sail to the isolated Palmer Station to sample them, then back to our laboratory in the States to identify the origin of this mysterious disease and its effects on the fish. This graphic novel presents the work behind our scientific article on X-cell disease in Antarctic fishes.

SCHOOL OUTREACH

I collaborate with local high schools to provide students with experiential learning opportunities where we discuss fish evolution in the Southern Ocean and the threats of climate change using hands-on experiments. Several high school students further joined the lab for month-long internship learning more about genetics, morphology, and fish!

WHAT CONTROLS SEX DEVELOPMENT IN FISH?

In mammals and in birds, the sex of an individual is determined by its genes. A sex determining gene on a sex chromosome influence the development of ovaries or testes. But sex in fishes is much more diverse! What controls sex development in fish? Sex genes like in mammals and birds? Or do other types of sex determination systems exist in fish? In this short scientific graphic novel available in 8 languages, with Sophia Breslin and John Postlethwait, we introduce you to the control of sex determination in fish: from the genetic regulation by sex determining genes and sex chromosomes to various cases of hermaphrodism and the influence of the environment, revealing the myriad of ways sex can be determined in fishes.

Antarctic LOg

Karen Romano Young does a fantastic job exploring all the aspects of Antarctica! I am glad she joined us during a fishing expedition in 2018 and was able to report on icefishes. Wander through all her “Logs” and learn everything you ever wanted to know about Antarctica! And read her new awesome book “Antarctica: The Melting Continent” in which she talks about our icefishes!

TALK TO THE MEDIA

It is always a pleasure to answer questions from journalists or help them make sure their articles and podcasts are scientifically accurate.

Expedition Antarctica

A three-episode series about our work in Antarctica filmed during our 2018 Field work season at Palmer Station on the West Antarctic Peninsula.

The Bizarre Beast with clear blood

Icefishes are definitely bizarre beasts! Check out this educational video about them. All other Bizarre Beast videos are also worth watching and sharing!

OUTREACH ANYWHERE

If you ask me questions about fish or any other aquatic animal, I might turn you into a marine biologist!

GENERAL PUBLIC OUTREACH

It is always a pleasure to meet with a general public audience and exchange about science and research, Antarctic fish, and the life on Antarctic research stations, and generate awe and wonder through visual medium.