DISCO XXI

Dissertations Symposium on Chemical Oceanography
October 5–10, 2008, Honolulu, Hawaii

History of DISCO

In the late 1970s, Dr. Edward Goldberg of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography suggested that there would be significant benefits for the development of the field of chemical oceanography and to the careers of young chemical oceanographers if these new practitioners were afforded the opportunity to meet together to discuss their doctoral thesis work and to learn how federal support opportunities are structured. Program managers at National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration implemented Goldberg’s vision by convening the first Dissertations Symposium on Chemical Oceanography (DISCO I) in February, 1978. Since that time, DISCO symposia have been held every 18 months to bring together promising young pre- and recent post-doctoral chemical oceanographers from the United States and abroad for a unique opportunity of professional interaction.

DISCO XX will be held in Honolulu, on the big island of Hawaii during the week of October 8–October 12, 2005. As with previous symposia, the goals of this meeting are to:

Nurture the enthusiasm of the young investigators;
Broaden their perspective of problems in the field;
Inform them of the research climate and opportunities for support of their respective areas of study; and
Expedite their entry into the nation’s science network by insuring that each one of them is personally acquainted with at least 24 others of their peers graduating at about the same time.

Participants hear about each other’s dissertation research and are involved in an open forum discussion with agency representatives about current and upcoming research funding opportunities for marine chemistry.

As in the past, we expect these remarkable young scientists to quickly interact and adapt to the stringent funding climate with ideas about diversifying their professional pursuits and carve out a variety of career paths. During the week they will be given time to assemble in disciplinary groups to discuss and come to agreement on recommendations for agency support for future research emphases and graduate education.

Some of the primary topical research areas identified by past participants as being in need of agency support are:

The relations of trace metal sources and distribution to biological uptake, toxicity, and complex molecular-scale interactions;
Exploratory analysis of large marine data sets and the assimilation of data from tropical and polar regions for which data are sparse;
Exploitation and development of new analytical techniques and instrumentation, such as electrospray mass spectrometry and state-of-the-art chemical species-selective electrodes;
Chemical speciation in liquid and solid phases;
Development of instrumentation and instrumentation platforms for remote and in-situ time-series measurements, particularly in under-sampled regions and critical locations.

Likewise, former symposia attendees identified areas where U.S. federal agencies might advance the quality of graduate education for marine chemists:

Continued support for the use of the U.S.’s nuclear submarine dedicated for use as a research platform;
Commitment to long-term ocean measurement records and monitoring;
Commitment to infrastructure for polar region research in areas other than Antarctica;
Renewed attention to interdisciplinary and small science approaches as opposed to concentration on a few large initiatives;
Renewed attention to coastal and estuarine issues;
Support for alternative career options, more flexible fellowship policies, and assistance with the transition from graduate school to early career.