DURHAM, N.C. – Three Nicholas School faculty members will take part in the 2008 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Feb. 14-18 in Boston.

Patrick N. Halpin, Gabel Associate Professor of the Practice of Marine Geospatial Ecology, and Larry B. Crowder, Stephen Toth Professor of Marine Biology, will be panelists in a daylong marine science seminar on Friday, Feb. 15.

Crowder will present an overview of recent research findings on “The Bycatch of Marine Megafauna in Global Fisheries” as part of the seminar’s lead-off session, “Where in the World are the Last Pristine Oceans”

Halpin will present, “Developing Innovations,” an overview of recent advancements in marine geospatial technology, as part of the seminar’s second session, “Tackling Fisheries Bycatch: Hotspots, Innovations and Creative Solutions.”

William L. Chameides, dean of the Nicholas School and a professor in the school’s Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, will host an open reception for all AAAS conference participants from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sat. Feb. 16., in Grand Ballroom C at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. The reception is an opportunity for AAAS members to meet with Chameides and learn more about the Nicholas School.

The AAAS meeting is the largest general science conference of the year. It attracts thousands of researchers, policy makers, students and reporters from around the world. Being invited to present or moderate a symposium at AAAS is widely viewed as a measure of a researcher’s high stature in his or her field.