Discover Our World: All Things Penguins!

What’s it like living near a penguin breeding colony in Antarctica? Join Marshall University biology professor Dr. Herman Mays in conversation with wildlife biologist Jean Pennycook for a hybrid presentation about the extreme terrain and extraordinary wildlife of the Polar Regions. After their conversation in the Caperton Planetarium and Theater, check out our new photography exhibit “Walking in Antarctica” where you can further study the glacial formations of Antarctica and the daily rituals of Adélie penguins.

Jean Pennycook is an educator and wildlife biologist specializing in Antarctic Adélie penguins. In 1999 after 20 years as a high school science teacher, Jean pursued her passion for sea birds and her love affair with penguins: she began designing and implementing education and outreach projects engaging the public in the history, science and wonder of the Polar Regions through grants from the National Science Foundation. Since 2004, she has spent the Antarctic summers (Oct – Jan) living in a tent near the Adélie penguin breeding colony at Cape Royds on Ross Island. Her research team monitors the population of these iconic birds as they respond to changes in their environment. Jean lives in California where she earned her BS in Wildlife Biology from the University of California, Davis, and her MS from California State University, Fresno.

Herman L. Mays, Jr., is an associate professor in genetics in the Department of Biological Sciences at Marshall University. Previously, he was Curator of Zoology at the Cincinnati Museum Center and still works with his Molecular Ecology and Systematics Laboratory there. He received his Ph.D. in evolutionary ecology from the University of Kentucky, and a B.S. in Biology and Anthropology, also from UK. His research in bird species tackles basic questions in biological diversity.