Roger Hanlon to Discuss Camouflage in Ocean Animals at “Science Before Supper” Talk, January 17

MBL, Woods Hole, MA – MBL Senior Scientist Roger Hanlon, Director of the Program in Sensory Physiology and Behavior, will explore camouflage used by marine animals at the next “Science Before Supper” talk, Thursday, January 17 at 5:00 PM at the Falmouth Public Library’s Hermann Foundation Meeting Room, 300 Main Street, Falmouth. His talk, “Color Change and Patterning in Ocean Animals: Science, Art, and Technology,” is the second in the series co-sponsored by the MBL Associates and the Falmouth Library. It is free and open to the public.

Dr. Hanlon is a diving biologist who has published more than 185 scientific papers, with emphasis on camouflage and communication signals in marine animals. His research on the amazing camouflage skills of octopus, squid, and cuttlefish has uncovered some basic principles of camouflage and he is now exploring whether the principles apply to all animals, both terrestrial and aquatic. Hanlon is also collaborating with materials scientists and nanotechnologists to develop “metamaterials” which—like squid skin—are observant, adaptive, and responsive to the environment.

The final talk in the Science Before Supper series will be held Thursday, February 21 at 5:00 PM in the library. John Hobbie, Distinguished Scientist and Senior Scholar in the MBL Ecosystems Center will discuss his new book, Land of Extremes: Exploring the Natural History of Alaska's Tundra, a comprehensive guide to the natural history of the only arctic tundra in the United States.

For more information about the “Science Before Supper” series, contact the MBL Communications Office at (508) 289-7423; comm@mbl.edu or the Falmouth Library at (508) 457-2555.

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The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is dedicated to scientific discovery and improving the human condition through research and education in biology, biomedicine, and environmental science. Founded in 1888 in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, the MBL is an independent, nonprofit corporation.
 
The MBL Associates are a group of individuals and businesses that support the scientific mission of the MBL through their gifts to the Annual Fund. The Associates sponsor educational and research programs for the MBL and raise funds for special projects. In addition, they operate the MBL Gift Shop, located on Water Street in Woods Hole, the profits from which support scientific fellowships.