BEN Mooney

Ben Mooney

Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar (2007- 2008)

Scholar story

 

On a professional level my Fulbright experience was extremely rewarding and productive. The expertise and support from the Centre of Marine Biotechnology enabled me to conduct ground-breaking experiments that will provide much needed insight into the chemistry of algal toxins, harmful algal bloom formation and management of natural and aquaculture-impacted ecosystems. Personally my family and I found it very demanding, intensive and overall brought us closer together. The challenges encountered and overcome seem trivial now that we are back at home, but in time I think we will see the personal development rewards of this time as we reflect, and grow to know more about ourselves and as a family group.

The skills, introductions and overall scientific productivity of my Fulbright cannot be matched by any previous experience I have had. The open exchange of ideas with colleagues fostered collaborative research without ownership or boundaries. This is something I will be building on personally as I continue my research career in Australia. My research discovered 3 new chemical structures of toxins new to science and will be published in international journals. These chemicals where isolated from similar species of algae present in the Swan River, WA, Huon River, Tasmania and from the Southern Ocean. The results will provide insight into the complex relationship between structure and potent activity of marine algal toxins and their ability to cause blooms with fish-killing potential.

The highlight was an extended road trip with the family in a rental van traveling from Baltimore to New York City for a great 4 days taking in the sights, attending the current Australian Fulbright drinks reception at the Australian Consulate, hosted by Consul General the Hon John Olsen AO, catching up and meeting alumni in the area. My wife and I relished in the gothic architecture, grandeur of the Metropolitan Museum, pride and friendliness of the residents, ease of transportation, expansiveness of Central Park and were completely caught up in the vibe of the city. We then drove north to Woods Hole, Massachusetts, for me to attend the Fourth Symposium on Harmful Algae in the U.S hosted by the U.S. National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The conference provides a forum for scientific exchange and technical communication on all aspects of Harmful Algal Bloom research in the United States. My participation in this conference has fostered closer ties between Australian and American researchers interested in harmful algal blooms. I presented a paper which was very well received, and I was heartened by the positive feedback from delegates regarding the relevance, quality and overall presentation of my work.

We spent a wonderful 6 days on Cape Cod enjoying the change of season and magnificent autumn colours in the beautiful surroundings of a quiet coastal town, Woods Hole. World renowned for its marine institutes, research and teaching facilities it was a most memorable experience to just visit Woods Hole, let alone attend and present my work at a conference where many of the lead researchers in harmful algae also presented. We were fortunate to have time to catch the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard and also “trick or treat” for Halloween along the streets of Woods Hole. My children loved the experience and were dressed as a green dragon and a penguin. I went as Ned Kelly, which was recognized by only a few, and made tough work of bobbing for apples! 

Other memorable times include the community street fairs in Baltimore, crab feasts, the Baltimore Museum of Art (our oasis!), The Book Thing (free books, our saviour!). We will greatly miss the numerous families we spent countless brunches, lunches, dinners and parties with.

Overall we had a truly wonderful family experience, explored and immersed in anything local and cultural and through our encounters hopefully shared something of what it means to be Australian.