That's really recent.ĪMNH: Do you think Palmer really was the first person to visit the Antarctic?ĭonal: Probably not. At an influential congress on geography in 1895, they said that the biggest mapping of the unknown still to be done was Antarctica. There was a real push to discover and map places after the Renaissance, but mapping Antarctica did not start in earnest until the end of the 1800's. They were really hoping for the ideal–something pristine and untouched after the dirt and grime brought on by the Industrial Revolution. They even thought it might be warm, even after James Cook's expedition in the 1700's couldn't penetrate the ice pack. There was a sense in northern Europe that it was going to be like a heaven on Earth. The Greeks postulated that there would be a land mass there. We miss each other when I'm away! For Father's Day my son made me a penguin out of Legos, and he put it in the freezer so that it would be cold when he gave it to me.ĪMNH: What were early theories about what Antarctica was like?ĭonal: The theories weren't at all what I would have expected. I've sent images back to their school so they can see what it's like down here. I enjoy talking and learning from someone at the next level.ĪMNH: What do your children think of your work?ĭonal: I have a four-year-old and a six-year-old. What do you see yourself doing five or ten years from now? In Antarctica I always room with a man who is in his sixties. Also I think it's important to think about the next level of life. You must be serious about your training and meeting deadlines and doing things that you don't necessarily enjoy in order to have the opportunities to do the exciting parts of the job. It was fascinating to think that his work was not so different from ours.ĪMNH: What are some life lessons that you carry with you from your research?ĭonal: You need discipline. There, frozen in time, was his simple hut with all of his things left just as they were when he was there.
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Our big American base equipped with so much–heat, horticulture, a full modern library–was just 100 yards away. Kids Son, six years old, and daughter, four years oldĪMNH: What's your most exciting memory of the place?ĭonal: The first time I walked into Scott's primitive hut from 1902, sitting out on the ice. It will help you much more than making an extra dollar." That was the best advice, to find something that excites you and do that.
Major Influences "My uncle encouraged me to take a job doing something that interested me, or even volunteer for free, rather than trying to make money.
in your training and meeting deadlines and doing things that you don't necessarily enjoy in order to get to do the exciting parts of the job." Life Lessons from the Field "You need discipline. I also enjoy playing the guitar, camping, boating, and scuba diving." Even in my time off I like to do things related to my work. Interests Today "If you find a job that's interesting, then your profession becomes your hobby. "There are wonderful lush kelp forests in the Irish sea, and I loved to fool around exploring them with my friends." Interests in Middle/High School Snorkeling off the coast. I have to write up papers about all of my work." It would take me half a day to write something. My parents got so frustrated with me, just staring at a blank page, unable to come up with an idea. Thoughts on Middle/High School "I hated English Composition. Least Favorite Middle/High School Subjects English Composition For example, "dolphin-free tuna" happened because people spoke up.įavorite Middle/High School Subjects Science was the "least painful." Perhaps it could be a school project to ask your local store, or restaurants such as McDonalds, if they are selling Antarctic fish. We all need to question where the food we eat comes from. The Antarctic is like the canary in the coal mine: if we keep a watchful eye on it, we'll know if things such as global warming and climate are changing everywhere.ĪMNH: How can students everywhere be good stewards of our least known continent?ĭonal: Be careful about what you put into the environment and the ocean. In his spare time, he likes to study the early stages of Antarctic exploration! Donal has a real interest in the early explorers and the history of Antarctica.ĪMNH: Why should kids know about Antarctica?ĭonal: Kids should know about Antarctica because it's one of the most extreme continent on this planet, with 70% of the world's fresh water, and because the ozone depletion is there. He explores how animals live and thrive at very cold temperatures, particularly in the early stages of life. Donal is a marine biologist who is interested in animal physiology.