Dr. Peter Rona to Lecture at Hamilton College

Dr. Peter Rona, a pioneer in scientific exploration of the deep ocean, will deliver the Ralph E. and Doris M. Hansmann Lecture at Hamilton College, on Tuesday, March 28, at 8 p.m in the Chapel. The lecture, "Mysterious Hot Springs and Life Forms of the Abyss" is free and open to the public.

The Hansmann Lecture series was established in 1993 in honor of Mr. Hansmann, class of 1940, and his wife, to support annual lectures in any field. Fields are designated on a three-year rotating basis.

Dr. Rona is credited with many discoveries including the first hot springs, associated mineral deposits and new life forms in the deep Atlantic. Formerly senior research geophysicist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Dr. Rona is professor of marine geology and geophysics at Rutgers University. He has received numerous awards including the Shepard Medal for Excellence in Marine Geology, the Gold Medal of the U.S. Department of Commerce for exceptional scientific achievements in service to the nation and the Hans Pettersson bronze medal of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. He is leader of international oceanographic expeditions with ships and submersibles, and consultant on seafloor resources and environment to the United Nations.