About

Dr. Bruce Sidell, co-Principal Investigator on this research project, died of cancer on February 8, 2011 at the age of 62. Bruce was a Professor of Marine Sciences at the University of Maine in Orono for 34 years, where he was also the founding Director of the School of Marine Sciences. Bruce was an international leader in the field of comparative physiology and the biochemistry of fishes and conducted research on Antarctic notothenioid fishes for 25 years. He made numerous contributions the field of Antarctic fish physiology, particularly in areas of lipid metabolism, the importance of intracellular lipids in oxygen diffusion, the expression pattern and function of myoglobin in Antarctic icefishes, and most recently, the thermal tolerance of notothenioid fishes. Bruce was passionate about the Antarctic. He enjoyed working on the back deck of the R/V Laurence M. Gould as much as at the lab benches of Palmer Station, and was equally skilled and at home in both places. Bruce contributed significantly to the development of resources for Antarctic science through his work on the Antarctic Research Vessel Oversight Committee and Palmer Area Users Committee. In 2010, Bruce's longstanding commitment to Antarctic science was recognized when the U.S. Geological Service and National Science Foundation named 'Sidell Spur', a feature on Brabant Island in the Antarctic, in his honor. Bruce was an outstanding mentor to many young scientists, several of whom continue working in the Antarctic because of his inspiration and dedication to their training.

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Researcher
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