Scientists Join CT Academy

Ann Bucklin

Two CLAS scientists were among the 26 experts in science, engineering, and technology elected to membership this spring in the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.

Ann Bucklin, professor and head of the Department of Marine Sciences, and Hans Dam, professor of marine sciences, were introduced to the Academy at its annual meeting on May 22.

The Academy was charted by the General Assembly in 1976 to provide the state with expert guidance on science and technology. It is limited to 250 members.

Election to the Academy is based on scientific and engineering distinction achieved through significant contributions in theory or applications, pioneering achievements, outstanding leadership of nationally recognized technical teams, and external professional awards.

Hans Dam with graduate students

Bucklin came to UConn in 2005 from the University of New Hampshire, where she was director of its Sea Grant program. Her research interests are molecular ecology, population genetics, and systematics, or how ocean systems function. She is director of the zooplankton section of the international Census of Marine Life, which is compiling a global survey of zooplankton biodiversity.

Dam is a biological oceanographer with research interests in biology, ecology, and the evolutionary ecology of plankton. He has been in charge of process studies for the Long Island Sound Integrated Coastal Observing System, a project to develop better understanding of the Long Island Sound ecosystem.