SETAC North Atlantic Chapter 30th Annual Meeting Summary

Bennett Amos, Sedimite Solutions, and Erin Warlow, Anchor QEA

Meeting Summary

The SETAC North Atlantic Chapter (NAC SETAC) celebrated a milestone this year, holding our 30th Annual Meeting from 11–12 April at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Whether it was the location, a marine sciences institution nestled in an iconic New England seaport, or the time of year, following a typical Yankee winter, we welcomed fifty NAC members, non-members and students to the meeting, a number more akin to pre-pandemic attendance. And not to single out a specific group, but we were especially happy to welcome some new friends from New Brunswick.

The meeting began with a pair of two-hour short courses. First, Jim Occhialini of Pace Analytical Labs provided a regulatory and analytical methods update for the evolving issue of PFAS contamination. Part two was on data visualization in Python and was instructed by Di Zhao of the University of Connecticut. Not only were both courses interesting and well received, the attendees seemed to like the format of two, shorter courses at the onset of the annual meeting, and this format may become a feature going forward.

The first day ended with a keynote address by Chris Reddy of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Titled “Communicating Science in an Environmental Crisis,” Reddy’s address was part instructional and part motivational, interlaced with anecdotes and advice on science communication.

In between these events and the following morning, we enjoyed 15 platform presentations and seven posters on a variety of subjects. The meeting was a success, bringing together local subject matter experts in academia, business and government. The event showcased the latest advancements in our field and region, with a strong focus on emerging contaminants and using models to assess bioaccumulation and metabolism of contaminants.

Save the Date

Mark your calendars for 12–13 June 2025, and plan to join us for our 31st Annual Meeting, which will take place at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. It’s been far too long since we’ve held an annual meeting in Vermont and are happy to be doing so in one of the loveliest cities in NAC’s region. The conference space at Champlain College includes a rooftop terrace with views of the city, Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains, a perfect backdrop for what promises to be a great meeting.

Leadership Opportunities and Keeping in Touch

While we have recently topped up the number of board members to the maximum and added a working board for those ready to step in next year, there are a large number of current board members whose terms will end in 2025. Professionals in our field who are interested in fostering a vibrant scientific community in the North Atlantic Region are encouraged to consider leadership opportunities in our chapter. The commitment is three years, with the simple requirements of maintaining NAC membership and attending our monthly meetings.

Interested candidates for leadership can email [email protected].

Author’s contact: [email protected]