‘Self and Science: High Stakes Conflict in Murky Seas’ is the intriguing title scientist Professor David Wright has chosen for his Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) Stanley Gray Lecture on Thursday 23 February, which will see him drawing on his long experience of discourse and conflict, navigating what he describes as ‘the murky waters of political and commercial interest’.

David Wright is Professor Emeritus of Environmental Toxicology at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and a Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology.

“In an academic career spanning 40 years I have often worked at the interface of academia, industry and the regulatory community, and am acutely aware of the sometimes conflicting interests involved with product development, proprietary issues and objective environmental assessment in a scientific landscape where scientific integrity is of paramount importance,” he explains.

Working primarily in the marine/estuarine environment, Professor Wright was involved with toxicological issues stemming from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, and was Senior Scientist aboard two vessels assigned to monitor the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010.

Early studies on aquatic toxicology, and as director of the Chesapeake Bay Ambient Toxicity Program, led to several appearances as an expert witness in cases involving industrial discharge and pollution. Similar toxicological studies led to the development and testing of technologies for the mitigation and control of nuisance species through ballast water management and treatment. Professor Wright draws on these experiences to examine the challenging role of the scientist in navigating those ‘murky waters’ of his title.

The Stanley Gray Lecture will be held at the America Square Conference Centre, London EC3 on the evening of the first day of the IMarEST Ballast Water Technology Conference, in which Professor Wright is heavily involved both as a keynote speaker, and as co-Chair of the IMarEST Ballast Water Expert Group. There is no charge to attend for conference delegates or for Members of IMarEST. The charge for non-Members/non-delegates is £25 (online registration at www.imarest.org/events or telephone reservations to +44 (0)20 7382 2702). The evening begins with refreshments at 1740; the lecture takes place at 1815 and is followed by a networking reception.

About Professor Wright David Wright is Emeritus Professor of Environmental Toxicology at the University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science, and he is the author of over 120 peer-reviewed papers and books on physiology and environmental toxicology and advisor to 16 graduate students.

He is a graduate of the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he received a PhD in comparative physiology (1973) and a DSc (2001). He has conducted research into the toxicology of trace metals and petroleum hydrocarbons in the marine environment and was Senior Scientist aboard two research vessels given the task of monitoring the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010.

Professor Wright has also conducted research on problems associated with non-indigenous species since the 1980s and has conducted several ballast water treatment trials, both dockside and shipboard. David Wright is a Fellow of the Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, co-Chair of the IMarEST Ballast Water Expert Group and for the last 16 years he has been President of the consulting company, Environmental Research Services.

Tags: IMarEST