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Distinguished Speaker Series: Chris Zadra
March 6 @ 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
The Ocean Institute’s Distinguished Speaker Series, presented by the Nicholas Endowment, brings interesting innovations, real-world research, exotic experiences, and delightful discoveries to the surface through powerful presentations from an ocean of experts. Speakers present on a variety of topics ranging from ocean researchers, ocean authors, ocean artists, and ocean athletes.
Light snacks & refreshments available for purchase at event.
Distinguished Speaker: Chris Zadra
Description:
Join us on a dive into the fascinating world of marine mammal research and conservation led by Chris Zadra, the innovative mind behind Ocean Alliance’s cutting-edge Drones for Whale Research Program, featured in renowned documentaries like National Geographic’s One Strange Rock and BBC’s Blue Planet Live.
Dinner will be provided by Taste Collective (food truck) and is sponsored by Knobbe Martens, a sponsor of the Ocean Institute.
Wednesday, March 6
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Doors open at 5:30 pm, and talk begins at 6:00 pm
$10 – General
FREE – Members
FREE – Students (with Valid ID)
About Chris Zadra:
While studying engineering at Lehigh University, Chris became interested in building and flying drones. He turned that interest into a career, flying drones over whales for the Ocean Alliance’s Drones for Whale Research program.
Chris has traveled the globe studying whales via drone, from Mexico to British Columbia to Gabon.
Instead of invasive techniques like darting, the drone collects samples by flying over the whale’s blow, with a rig aptly named the SnotBot. The drones can also be used to drop tracking devices that stick to the whale’s back for a short period, providing data on their life under the surface.
instagram: @snotbot
