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Location
Metcalf Auditorium, Chace Center-RISD Museum, 20 North Main Street, Providence, RI
Description
Neal Overstrom is a biologist, designer, educator and former Director of the Nature Lab at Rhode Island School of Design. His professional work has focused on promoting environmental literacy through informal learning experiences. Prior to coming to RISD he held senior posts for exhibit development, research and zoological management at the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut and was a Design Associate for Kent + Frost Landscape Architecture. Conducting field studies in regions ranging from sub-Arctic Hudson’s Bay, Canada to the Gulf of California, Mexico, Neal has authored or co-authored scientific publications on topics ranging from shark development and reproduction to marine mammal biology and behavior. He also served as project director for a major public aquarium expansion featuring innovative fish, bird, and marine mammal habitats with more than two million gallons of re-circulating seawater systems and a multimedia ocean education center.
Neal earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Arts in zoology from Connecticut College, and a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In 2009 he was named the University of Massachusetts Olmsted Scholar, exploring the intersection of living systems, technology, and aesthetics in designing for sustainability. His interests involve investigating the biological influences on design, particularly the ways in which pattern, form and living elements in the built environment can reinforce our human-nature connection.
File Type
.mp4 video
Opening remarks, Neal Overstrom
Metcalf Auditorium, Chace Center-RISD Museum, 20 North Main Street, Providence, RI
Neal Overstrom is a biologist, designer, educator and former Director of the Nature Lab at Rhode Island School of Design. His professional work has focused on promoting environmental literacy through informal learning experiences. Prior to coming to RISD he held senior posts for exhibit development, research and zoological management at the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut and was a Design Associate for Kent + Frost Landscape Architecture. Conducting field studies in regions ranging from sub-Arctic Hudson’s Bay, Canada to the Gulf of California, Mexico, Neal has authored or co-authored scientific publications on topics ranging from shark development and reproduction to marine mammal biology and behavior. He also served as project director for a major public aquarium expansion featuring innovative fish, bird, and marine mammal habitats with more than two million gallons of re-circulating seawater systems and a multimedia ocean education center.
Neal earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Arts in zoology from Connecticut College, and a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In 2009 he was named the University of Massachusetts Olmsted Scholar, exploring the intersection of living systems, technology, and aesthetics in designing for sustainability. His interests involve investigating the biological influences on design, particularly the ways in which pattern, form and living elements in the built environment can reinforce our human-nature connection.