SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION

The Archbold Biological Station Scientific Advisory Board meets on a variable 2-4 year schedule. The Board is comprised of four eminent scientists, intimate with the types of ecological research conducted at the Station, and familiar with the role and activities of biological field stations.

Membership (2005)

• Frances C. James (Chair), Ph.D.; Florida State University
• Peter L. Marks, Ph.D.; Cornell University
• Mark A. McPeek, Ph.D.; Dartmouth College
• Peter W. Price, Ph.D.; Northern Arizona University

SAB meets at Archbold, 14 January 2005.
L-R: Mark McPeek, Peter Price, Peter Marks, Fran James; digital photo by Cheryl Henderson.

ROLES OF THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

Advice to the Executive Director
The Scientific Advisory Board provides a confidential review to the Executive Director of the practice of science at the Station, both in terms of each individual's performance and overall. The Board is a vehicle through which areas of satisfaction and dissatisfaction among staff can be conveyed to the Executive Director. The meeting between the Board and senior administrative staff provides an opportunity to comment on the extent to which the facilities and administration are able to support the science programs.

Input to Individual Research Biologists
The Science Advisory Board is a critical component of peer review for all Station Biologists. In private and confidential meetings the Board considers the scientific programs of each individual researcher and evaluates their recent scientific output. Board members assist in developing criteria for promotion and in reviewing an individual's progress in preparation for promotion.

Report to the Board of Trustees

The Scientific Advisory Board is regarded as the outside independent entity which provides a general evaluation of science at the Station to the Board of Trustees. The Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board submits a written report which summarizes the scientific progress at the Station for the Board of Trustees. The Chairman of the Advisory Board may also be present at the Board of Trustees meeting to give a verbal presentation of these findings.