Secretary of the Interior Steward L. Udall today introduced three of the Nation’s top young biologists to the scientific aspects of the Department of the Interior.
The young biologists, Joan Simpson, Squantum, Mass., Douglas MacPhillamy, Madison, N.J., and John Fox, Stuart, Fla., each 17 years old, are three of forty national finalists in the 22nd annual Science Talent Search conducted by Science Clubs of America. All the finalists are in the Nation’s Capital to compete for $34,250 in scholarships and awards during a five-day Science Talent Institute program which began February 27.
In discussing the biological work of the Department, Secretary Udall stressed the exciting career opportunities to be found in research and management of the Naiton’s Fish and wildlife resources.
“The broad field of oceanography, for example, offers a real challenge for sceintists in many feilsd now and in the future,” the Secretary said.
Joan Simpson, on of nine girls amoung the 40 national winners, has been conducting research on diatoms. Tiny one-celled brown algae, which is a key food for marine life such as oysters, sardines and many others important to man. She did research on the mass culture of diatoms, exploring better methods for supplying them to fish hatcheries. Miss Simpson said she would like to be a marine biologist and work aboard and ocean research vessel. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. Simpson of Squantum, Mass.
Douglas J. MacPhillamy has sought to determine chemical similarities between two substances known to prevent maturity in insects when injected into their bodies. One of these substances I found in small amounts in insect larvae and the other is extracted from the thymus gland of mammals. Such research could lead to new and safer chemical insecticides. For several years, he has been recording and taking pictures of a wildlife in large swam area near his home. He has designed an extra sensitive pickup microhone for recording animla sounds. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold B. MacPhillamy of Madison, N.J.
John F. Fox has studies stone crabs to learn more about their breeding habits and commercial possibilities for food. This is on considerable interest to State conservation officials and to the commercial shell fishing industry. One of his hobbies has been the conduct of an annual census of wading bird populations. He plans to make a career of marine biology and biochemistry. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Fox of Stuart, Fla.
Following the interview with Secretary Udall, Miss. Simpson and John F. Fox visited the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Oxford Md., Biological Laboratory. Douglas MacPhillamy visited the Patuxent, Md., Wildlife Research Center of the Service’s Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife
