ALBANY, N.Y. Gerrard P. Bushell, Ph. D., President and CEO of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) applauded today a rare deep-sea observation made by Dr. David Gruber, Professor of Biology at Baruch College, and the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center Ph.D. Program in Biology.
Using underwater camera equipment made available through DASNY, Dr. Gruber’s team of deep sea researchers, including Dr. Brennan Phillips, assistant professor of Ocean Engineering at the University of Rhode Island, captured underwater images of a rarely seen Deepstaria jellyfish off the coast of Mexico. The discovery was the culmination of three years of diligent expedition in the eastern Pacific by the Exploration Vessel Nautilus.
Through the state’s Graduate Research Technology Initiative (GRTI), DASNY is able to purchase scientific and technological equipment for CUNY senior colleges and professional/graduate colleges science and technology programs. Additional funding for the project was provided by the City University of New York’s (CUNY) Capital Funding plan.
“For more than 50 years, DASNY has partnered with CUNY to expand educational opportunities and we are thrilled to collaborate on such an important endeavor,” said Dr. Bushell. “Dr. Gruber’s discovery is just one example of the wide breadth of this program, and DASNY is proud to help provide the world’s best minds with the tools they need to succeed.”
Aldemaro Romero Jr., Ph.D., Dean of the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, Baruch College, said, “Dr. Gruber is one of the most innovative researchers that we have. His research is always centered on exciting biological phenomena which attract a great deal of public attention and sparks the imagination of his colleagues and the general public alike."
Dr. David Gruber, Ph.D. Professor, Baruch College, said, “Our aim in exploring the deep dark oceans is to be as gentle and non-disruptive as possible. The DASNY funds allowed us to purchase a Canon ME20S-FH, a color camera that has an ISO of 4,560,000. This enables us to explore with our lights nearly off (<0.04% usual submersible lighting). In the dark deep-sea environment, driving with just a little light is a big advantage.”
CUNY’s GRTI program is coordinated by the CUNY Research Office. The program is an important initiative for CUNY faculty, particularly the start-up phase of their careers. Every year, more than 80 distinct faculty research projects receive equipment purchased by DASNY using GRTI funds. Since the initiatives inception in 1993, DASNY has purchased more than $115 million in scientific equipment through the GRTI program.
You can see photos and video of the amazing discovery for yourself online any time at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmheqgfM. You can also read the published research http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/handle/2246/6874.