Welcome to the first issue of our newsletter, keeping you up to date with news and activities from Amundsen Science. We welcome any suggestions regarding this new way of disseminating information about our organization.

Amundsen Science will hold a planning and outreach workshop virtually on 22-23 March 2021 from 11:00-16:00 EDT. The first part of the workshop will be centered on the planning of the 2021 CCGS Amundsen Expedition. The planning sessions will specifically address scenarios and constraints with respect to the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to discussing the scientific needs, harmonization of research programs, logistics and training.

The second part of the workshop will be an outreach event opened to all scientists and stakeholders interested in the research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen. The outreach workshop will be the occasion to learn about the mandate and history of Amundsen Science and get involved with the future of the Amundsen. Please join us to discover this unique national research facility!

“I am motivated to ensure that Canada continues to provide access to the sea and our ice covered waters to our research scientists, and to our current and future students.”

Amundsen Science is proud to present Dr. Marlon Lewis, the newly appointed Chair of our Board of Directors. Marlon Lewis is an Emeritus Professor at Dalhousie University. For 40 years, Lewis sailed on many vessels in most of the world’s oceans as an active sea-going oceanographer. Furthermore, he is the founder of Satlantic Inc., an optical sensor manufacturing company, and a senior ocean business advisor for the Cox & Palmer law firm. His experience will bring unique skills and expertise to the Board.

“I intend to pursue the mission initiated by Louis Fortier and keep on reinforcing the use of the Amundsen by the broadest possible Canadian and international community, promote ambitious multidisciplinary projects, and implement best practices in terms of open science.”

Dr. Marcel Babin was appointed as new Scientific Leader of the CCGS Amundsen in spring 2020. Marcel Babin is a field oceanographer with a strong expertise on light propagation and light-matter interactions in the ocean. Laureate of the Canada Excellence Research Chair in remote sensing of Canada’s new Arctic frontier and leader of the Takuvik International Research Laboratory (U. Laval and CNRS), his passion for oceanographic research is no longer to be demonstrated. Through his career, he has been leading several major international research initiatives onboard the CCGS Amundsen such as Malina in the Beaufort Sea (2009) and Green Edge in Baffin Bay (2016).

LINK TO OUR RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

In July 2020, Amundsen Science has launched its new web site that is meant to be used both by expedition participants and a larger audience wanting to learn more about the scientific mandate of the ship and the expeditions. The improved platform includes continuous updates on research highlights based on scientific knowledge acquired from the Amundsen. Please visit us often to not miss any scientific breakthroughs!