DURHAM , NC – Patrick N. Halpin, associate professor of marine geospatial ecology and director of the Marine Geospatial Ecology Laboratory at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, will take part in the 2012 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Feb. 16-20 in Vancouver, Canada.

Halpin will present recent research findings on predicting the impact of climate change on global ocean biodiversity in a session at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.

The AAAS meeting is the largest general science conference of the year. It attracts thousands of researchers, policymakers, students and reporters from around the world. Being invited to present or moderate a symposium at AAAS is widely viewed as a measure of a researcher’s high stature in his or her field.

Halpin is internationally cited for his work in marine geospatial analysis, ecological applications of geographic information systems and remote sensing. He directs the Nicholas School’s Geospatial Analysis Program and sits on a number of international scientific and conservation program steering committees; including the U.S. National Committee of the Census of Marine Life, the international Scientific Steering Committee of the Census of Marine Life; the Ocean Biogeographic Information Systems international committee, and the Google Oceans Advisory Council.

In 2011, he was named co-recipient of the International Cosmos Prize in recognition of his work as a member of the Scientific Steering Committee of the Census of Marine Life.  He has twice before been invited to present at AAAS annual meetings.