Fall 2017 – Frequently Asked Questions by Dr. Chuck Wilson
– DECEMBER 18, 2017
(From Fall 2017 Newsletter) Dr. Chuck Wilson, Chief Scientific Officer for the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI), answers a few questions about the 2018 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science (GoMOSES) conference which will be held from February 5-8 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Question: What is this year’s theme?
Answer: This year’s conference theme is “Response, Restoration, and Resiliency in the Gulf.” To emphasize this theme, the opening plenary of the conference, “The Three R’s of Gulf Research,” will explore the state of oil spill science and encourage GoMOSES attendees to consider how their research can be applied to response, restoration, and resource management plans and activities. More information on the opening plenary, including a list of speakers, is available here.
Question: How has the GoMOSES conference been evolving and how is that reflected in this year’s program?
Answer: This year’s theme represents a continuation of GoMOSES’ effort to move toward the integration of oil spill and restoration science with practical applications in the Gulf of Mexico. To better facilitate discussions related to the conference theme, the organizers built the program around a set of topical tracks, resulting in 24 oral sessions and two poster sessions. They are also introducing mini-sessions, which will each feature four presentations highlighting key topics surrounding the conference theme. More information on the program, including a list of the topical tracks, can be found here.
Question: What is the future of the GoMOSES conference?
Answer: The closing plenary will address the future of the GoMOSES conference beyond the end of the GoMRI program in 2020. Members of the GoMOSES Executive Committee will participate in a panel which will address the future of GoMOSES and seek input from the audience regarding what attendees would like to see from the conference going forward. The panel will also discuss with the audience how GoMOSES might evolve topically in the future; for example, should future conferences focus on restoration science and safe industry practices in addition to oil spill science. More information on the closing plenary is available here.
For more information about the conference, including how to register, please visit the GoMOSES website here. Follow along on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #GoMOSES.
