Contacts: Ron Kalb, DRI PIO, ron.kalb@dri.edu (702) 862-5420 (office), (702) 498-8916 (cell)
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May 26, 2004
DRI’s Dr. Alison Murray accepts post on key, international Antarctic research committee
Earlier this month, Murray accepted an appointment as a U.S. representative to the Life Sciences Standing Scientific Group, one of three groups that make up the U.S. delegation to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, or SCAR.
The National Academy of Sciences’ Polar Research Board, which has among its responsibilities a duty to assure that only top U.S. scientists are invited to SCAR, recruits members for the Antarctic committee.
SCAR is dedicated to the initiation, promotion and coordination of scientific research in Antarctica. It has a long history of bringing nations together to advance Antarctic science and increase coordination. Thirty-one nations participate in SCAR.
Murray is a molecular microbial ecologist with research interests focused on applying biotechnology and genomics to understanding the unique adaptations of microorganisms to their environments.
Murray’s term is six years. She will attend SCAR’s next science meeting in Bremen, Germany, in July.
About SCAR
SCAR is the single international, interdisciplinary, non-governmental organization that can draw on the experience and expertise of an international mix of scientists across the complete scientific spectrum. It is, therefore, the source of advice on a wide range of scientific questions, and it is ideally placed to provide the answers.
For more than 30 years SCAR has provided such scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty System and made numerous recommendations on a variety of matters, most of which have been incorporated into Antarctic Treaty instruments. Foremost among these have been the advice provided for the many international agreements that provide protection for the ecology and environment of Antarctica.
For more information see www.scar.org.
About DRI
A nonprofit, statewide division of the University and Community College System of Nevada, DRI pursues a full-time program of basic and applied environmental research on a local, national, and international scale. Nearly 500 full- and part-time scientists, technicians, and support staff conduct some 150 research projects at DRI annually. More than 85 percent of DRI's annual $37 million operating budget consists of research grants and contracts obtained by its scientists. The balance is received from the state of Nevada for administrative costs.