Great Throughts Treasury

This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.

Tierney Thys, Plankton Chronicles Project

American Marine Biologist, Science Educator, Filmmaker, National Geographic Emerging Explorer

"I love working with many different groups to advance marine conservation and awareness. Recent collaborations include serving as lead science advisor and narrator for Okeanos a multi-sensory performance by the San Francisco dance troupe, Capacitor and a NG Digital collaboration to create an NSF funded app for 3-6 year old called Jacques Marine Missions to inspire early learners to help clean up the ocean. I believe strongly in smart gaming as a powerful tool for education and am the daily underwater explorer in National Geographic?s Animal Jam ?an online game for kids 6-9. Animal Jam currently boasts 11 million players. I also serve as judge for the National Science Foundation?s Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge and am a member of the TED Braintrust (ted.com)."

"Schooling used to be salvation for fishes, but it?s suicide for fishes now."

"Every time you step off the land into the liquid?into the ocean?you're traveling somewhere very few people venture. You've immediately embarked on a great adventure."

"Being a loner is a great thing, especially in today's seas, because schooling used to be salvation for fishes, but it's suicide for fishes now."

"I hope all aspects of my work can help raise awareness of the oceans?not only of the spectacular life within the boundaryless blue, but also the pivotal role the oceans play in our global climate and the livelihood of humanity."

"Since 2000, our mola team has been traveling the world ocean studying the giant ocean sunfish (mola). Though these fish can grow more than ten feet (three meters) long and weigh over 5,000 pounds (2,270 kilograms), little is known about them. By placing satellite tags on them and collecting tissue samples for genetic and toxin analysis, we're hoping to uncover the molas' secrets: How did they come to occupy all tropical and temperate seas? Where, when, and at what size do they reproduce? How do they locate their jellyfish prey? What else are they eating? Are there more ocean sunfish species yet to be discovered? Are their populations endangered? How can they help us understand the changing ocean?"

"When it comes to fishes, the mola really pushes the boundary of fish form. It seems a somewhat counterintuitive design for plying the waters of the open seas?a rather goofy design?and yet the more I learn about it, the more respect and admiration I have for it."