Film Screening: Chasing Coral
A Sundance film festival winner.
Chasing Coral was directed by Jeff Orlowski and produced by Larissa Rhodes. The film took more than three years to shoot, and is the result of 500+ hours underwater, submissions of footage from volunteers from 30 countries, as well as support from more than 500 people from various locations around the world.
"Coral reefs around the world are vanishing at an unprecedented rate. A team of divers, photographers and scientists set out on a thrilling ocean adventure to discover why and to reveal the underwater mystery to the world."
“It’s not too late for coral reefs… indeed, for many other ecosystems that are facing challenges from climate change. It’s still possible to reduce the rate at which the climate is changing, and that’s within our power today.” – Dr. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
This event is free and open to the public; advance registration is recommended.
THE PANEL
Donna K. Hazard is the Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the New England Aquarium. Donna is a passionate conservationist and student, holds an AB in Biology and Science in Human Affairs from Princeton and an MBA from Harvard. Currently a master’s candidate in Harvard Extension School’s Sustainability and Environmental Management Program, she is steadfast in her mission to protect our oceans and lends her expertise in the fields of consulting, marketing, business development and philanthropy. She is also Chair of the Board of Trustees of the New England Aquarium and lives in Weston, MA with her husband and four children.
Randi Rotjan, PhD, is a Research Assistant Professor at Boston University in the Department of Biology and the BU Marine Program. Her research focuses mainly on symbiosis and ecophysiology, behavioral ecology, conservation biology, and urban ecology.
William ‘Billy’ Spitzer, Ph.D., is Vice President for Programs, Exhibits, and Planning at the New England Aquarium. He is responsible for oversight of exhibit design, visitor experience, volunteer, and education programs as well as institutional strategic planning. He has served as Principal Investigator for numerous informal science education projects funded by the National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Institute for Museum and Library Services, and the Environmental Protection Agency. He is currently PI for the 5-year NSF-funded National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation, as well as the 3-year NOAA-funded project Visualizing Change: Training and Tools to Support Informal Educators. Spitzer has more than 20 years experience developing and implementing science education programs and materials. In 2014, he was recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change for Engaging the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders. In 2016, Spitzer received a Visionary Award from the Gulf of Maine Council for innovation, creativity, and commitment to marine protection.
Alyssa Irizarry is an artist and Program Director at Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs, a Boston-based nonprofit that works to engage teens in ocean conservation and advocacy through the arts. Alyssa has been involved in environmental education for 10 years, with a focus on using creative media as a tool for environmental literacy and conservation. She is particularly passionate about helping students of all ages discover and explore their relationship with water systems. Alyssa holds a B.A. in Art History and Environmental Studies from Tufts University.
Daniel Brown is the climate change program coordinator for Mass Audubon. He works on projects in education, science and advocacy, with an interest on understanding how to communicate climate science most effectively. Prior to his current role, he was a climatologist at the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center (GLISA) and a researcher at the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute (OCCRI). Daniel holds a Master’s degree in Nuclear Physics from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree in Atmospheric Science from Oregon State University.
