MARINE BIOLOGIST

PROFESSOR

About

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David Gruber is the Founder & President of Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative), a nonprofit, interdisciplinary scientific and conservation initiative on a mission to listen to and translate the communication of sperm whales. He is a Distinguished Professor of Biology and Environmental Sciences at the City University of New York, Baruch College & The CUNY Graduate Center. His interdisciplinary research bridges animal communication, climate science, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology and his inventions include technology to perceive the underwater world (“shark-eye camera”) from the perspective of marine animals.

Dr. Gruber’s research led to the discoveries of the first biofluorescent sea turtle, more than 200 species of biofluorescent and bioluminescent organisms. His research group has identified and elucidated novel families of fluorescent molecules from eels, sharks and corals. His long-standing collaboration with the Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory has led to the engineering of some of the most gentle and minimally-invasive robots to better understand, interact with life in the deep ocean.

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Work

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arXiv

Unsupervised Translation Theory: Animal Communication

Neural networks have enabled breakthroughs in unsupervised machine translation. This research investigates these tools' effectiveness, their dependence on source data, and their potential application in decoding animal communication.

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iScience

Toward understanding the communication in sperm whales

Study of behavior, AI, language processing, and linguistics.

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Open Letter

The real and imminent extinction risk to whales, dolphins and porpoises

Scientists express serious concerns about extinction risk to cetaceans.

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Scientific Reports

Sperm Whale Bioacoustics ML Study

Used ML & CNNs for sperm whale bioacoustics study, achieving up to 99.5% accuracy in tasks like click detection, coda classification, & whale identification.

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arXiv

Social learning across symbolic cultural barriers in non-human cultures

Study shows evidence of social learning in sperm whales across oceans.

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Sage Journals

Snailfish High Antifreeze Protein Study

Polar fish developed antifreeze proteins (AFPs) to survive in subzero temps.

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CSIRO Publishing

Invertebrate Systematics

International journal on the biodiversity and evolution of invertebrates.

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American Museum of Natural History

New Rariphotic Parapercis Species Found

New species, Parapercis rota, discovered in Solomon Islands' deep waters, distinguishable by unique pigmentation pattern.

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Science Direct

A novel fish sampling system for ROVs

Mesophotic and deeper reefs (30-150m, >150m) are among the least studied ocean habitats.

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Frontiers

Discovery of Moray Eel's Green Protein

Discovery and characterization of GymFP, a green fluorescent protein in moray eel, broadens understanding of biofluorescence.

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American Museum of Natural History

Biofluorescence in Arctic Snailfishes Report

Arctic fish, including juvenile Liparis gibbus and adult L. tunicatus, show rare multi-color biofluorescence.

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Wiley

Evolution of Sea Firefly Bioluminescence

Perspective by D.M. DeLeo & H.D. Bracken-Grissom discussed.

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Scientific Reports

Chordate Luciferase Suggests Bioluminescence Convergence

Researchers identified PyroLuc, a potential chordate luciferase causing Pyrosoma's bioluminescence by using coelenterazine, suggesting cross-phyla convergence.

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PubMed

Altering Eel Protein Fluorescence

Caribbean chlopsid eel displays green biofluorescence due to fluorescent fat.

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PLOS ONE

Flashlight Fish: Bioluminescence Guides Behavior

Flashlight fish use bioluminescence for nighttime schooling, maintaining cohesion even with few glowing fish.

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iScience

Shark Biofluorescence from Bromo-Kynurenine

Chemistry; Natural Product Chemistry; Natural Product Discovery

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PeerJ

Bioluminescence Study in M. lucens Copepod

Bioluminescent Metridia copepods play key roles in marine food webs, with studies revealing complex light production mechanisms.

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BioOne

Observations of Deepstaria Enigmatica

American Museum Novitates publishes brief papers on new zoology, paleontology, and geology reports.

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U.S. Patent

Bilirubin Detection Method Aid

2018 US Patent #9,952,227: Method to detect bilirubin with eel fluorescent protein.

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Integrative and Comparative Biology

A comprehensive review on bioluminescent worms

Verdes & Gruber's 2017 study on diverse bioluminescent properties of annelids.

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Scientific Reports

Biofluorescence in Catsharks Study

Biofluorescence is common in marine fishes like sharks. Study of their visual properties and photoreceptor cells reveals potential importance in behavior and biology.

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Science Direct

Studying Deep Sea Bioluminescence

2016 study on deep-sea bioluminescence observed via high-speed sCMOS camera.

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Oceanography

Bioluminescence on Hydrothermal Chimney

Deep-sea bioluminescence is common but difficult to capture due to camera limitations.

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BioOne

First Observation of Fluorescence in Marine Turtles

American Museum Novitates publishes brief papers on new forms in zoology, geology, and paleontology.

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Copeia

A new species of clingfish found at 286 feet deep

New mesophotic clingfish species discovered in Bahamas, 2012 (Sparks & Gruber).

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Research

Discovery of 18 New Fluorescent Proteins

2009 study on divergent evolutionary patterns in fluorescent protein regions.

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Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology

Protozoa Prefer Slow-Growing Bacteria

2009 study on how bacterial growth phase impacts ciliate grazing selectivity.

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Marine Biological Laboratory

Biofluorescence in 28 New Coral Species

2008 study on fluorescent protein expression patterns in Scleractinian corals.

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PLOS ONE

The discovery of a new family of fluorescent proteins from marine eels

2015 study shows adaptive evolution created bright eel fluorescence from fatty acid proteins.

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BMC Genomics

Genomic Study & Biofluorescence in Fireworms

2015 study on transcriptome sequencing of polychaete Hermodice carunculata.

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PLOS ONE

Fish Biofluorescence: A Widespread Phenomenon

Biofluorescence is widespread in marine life, with potential roles in communication and camouflage.

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Frontiers

Plankton Planet: Global Aquatic Life

Plankton Planet' initiative aims to use cost-effective tools and public involvement to globally collect and analyze marine plankton data.

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Frontiers

Coral Acclimation to Deoxygenation

Study shows corals can acclimate to severe deoxygenation through significant transcriptional responses, possibly increasing energy production.

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Scientific Reports

Survival Traits in Scleractinian Corals

Scleractinian corals, surviving past mass extinctions, show traits like deep water residing and bleaching resistance, aiding their survival today.

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Frontiers

Adaptive Photosynthesis in Coral Algae

Study finds photosynthesis in deep sea corals functions differently to shallow corals, exhibiting varying light absorption and defense mechanisms.

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eLife

Evolutionary Success of Reef Corals

Analysis of 20 coral genomes offers new insights into unique reef-building traits.

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Biogeosciences

New Method to Study Ancient Coral Bleaching

Novel method using boron isotopes for reconstructing coral bleaching events.

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PLOS ONE

Seasonal Coral Bleaching in Deep Reef

2014 study on seasonal coral bleaching in the northern Red Sea.

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Inter-Research Science Publisher

Carbon Isotopic Fractionation in E. huxleyi

Understanding cell carbon fractionation crucial for reconstructing paleo-CO2.

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American Journal of Public Health

A summary of how environmental quality impacts the human epigenome

2014 study on epigenome as a biosensor for exposure to environmental stressors.

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BMC Genomics

Favia Coral Genome Analysis

Researchers use next-gen sequencing to analyze Favia coral protein families, presenting the first annotated transcriptome of this genus.

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Trends in Ecology and Evolution

Low Oxygen Sparked Coral-Algae Symbiosis

2012 Study: Paleo-climatic events trigger algae-coral symbiotic transition

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Springer

Deep Reef Algal Shift in Corals

2011 study on changes in Seriatopora hystrix coral morphology across bathymetric gradient.

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Science Direct

Coral Photoacclimation & Cellular Response

R. rhodostoma and D. unguja are prevalent corallimorpharians in the northern Red Sea.

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PubMed

Green-Emitting Fluorescent Protein Forms

Novel fluorescent protein, Vivid Verde (VFP), isolated from warm water coral.

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PLOS ONE

Link Between Autism and Cancer Mutations

2010 study explores correlation between cancer rates and autism (Kao et al.).

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Marine Biotechnology

PCR Links Protein Expression & Coral Depth

2007 study on dynamic regulation of fluorescent proteins in coral species.

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APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY

Coral / Climate Science

2006 study on dynamics of organic matter in predator-prey system by Gruber et al.

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U.S. Patent

Patent for Reef Protein Cancer Sensor

Australian coral proteins for cancer drug development, US Patent US 8,709,981.

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Book

Aglow in the Dark: The Revolutionary Science of Biofluorescence

Pieribone & Gruber's 2006 book, where three of the scientists portrayed here went on to win the 2008 Nobel

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Mishkin Gallery

Who Speaks for the Oceans?

Feldman AC, Gruber DF 2022: Exhibition at Baruch College's Mishkin Gallery.

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MASS MoCA

Glenn Kaino In the Light of a Shadow

Glenn Kaino's exhibition, inspired by global protests, spans MASS MoCA's Building 5.

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This Book is a Memory

Changing Course

Gruber, D.F. 2021. Glenn Kaino: This Book is a Promise, DelMonico/MASS MoCA, 86-87.

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The New Yorker

The Clash Over the Poincaré Conjecture

Gruber, Nasar discuss math dispute over Poincaré solution; Yau, Perelman contenders.

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Science

Future of soft robotics in marine biology

Modern methods seek to study deep-sea life via robotics and biology, non-invasively.

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Current Biology

Soft Robotic Fingers Spare Marine Life

Tessler et al. show 'soft' robots cause less stress to jellyfish than 'hard' ones.

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Science

Soft Robotic Gripper for Delicate Manipulation

Nanofiber-reinforced silicone gripper enables gentle marine creature handling.

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Scientific Reports

Deep-Sea Soft Robotic Arm Study

Scientists develop a soft, low-power, glove-controlled robotic arm for delicate deep-sea biological sampling.

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PLOS ONE

3D-Printed Robots for Deep-Sea Research

Custom soft robotic manipulators aid in delicate deep-sea studies, allowing for on-the-fly design adjustments and less invasive interaction with fragile marine life.

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Science

Rotary Polyhedrons for Marine Study

Robot end effector uses rotary actuator to safely encase mid-water organisms.

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Soft Robotics

Deep-Sea Soft Robotic Wrist Development

2018 study on a modular soft robotic wrist designed for underwater manipulation.

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Soft Robotics

Soft Robotic Grippers for Biological Sampling on Deep Reefs

Underwater gripper developed using soft robotics to delicately handle deep-sea species.

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The New Yorker

Who Speaks For The Oceans

David Gruber, founder of Project Ceti, is a leading voice in marine biology.

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Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary

An art collaboration with Janaina Tschäpe and David Gruber

Tschäpe & Gruber's 2020 book, 'Fictionary of Corals & Jellies' on coral & jellyfish.

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Interview

The Process Behind Joan Jonas' New Oceanic Work

Joan Jonas created "Moving Off the Land II", now in Venice's Ocean Space.

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PRESS

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The New Yorker

Can we talk to whales?

Researchers believe that artificial intelligence may allow us to speak to other species.

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The New Yorker

Can We Decipher a Whale's First Sounds?

The scientist David Gruber explains the mission of Project CETI, and what his team has learned about how whales communicate.

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The New Yorker

Who Speaks For The Oceans

David Gruber, founder of Project CETI, is a renowned marine biologist and whale whisperer.

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Dazed

Google Translate for whales? How AI is being used to speak with animals

Researchers use machine learning to understand animals uniquely.

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Atmos

How Humans Are Learning to Speak Whale

Humans aim to achieve interspecies communication, specifically with whales.

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Scripps News

How Scientists Are Using AI Tech To Communicate With Animals

Sam Eaton explores AI tech's role in animal-human communication on IRL finale.

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The New York Times

The Animal Translators

Scientists use machine learning to converse with various animals.

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Hakai Magazine

Are We on the Verge of Chatting with Whales?

Project uses AI to interpret and respond to sperm whale clicks.

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National Geographic

Groundbreaking effort launched to decode whale language

Scientists use AI to decode sperm whale communication.

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American Museum of Natural History

Exploring Greenland's Icy Waters

John Sparks and David Gruber dive into Greenland's icy waters for research.

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The New York Times

A Robot With Noodle-like Fingers Helps Handle Soft Jellyfish

Scientists design gentle robot to safely scoop delicate deep sea creatures.

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The New York Times

How Sharks Glow to Each Other Deep in the Ocean

Scientists discover molecular basis for creatures' neon glow.

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Seeker

Decoding the Secret Signals of Glow-in-the-Dark Sea Creatures

Divers discover neon underwater world, aim to engineer shark-like vision.

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Harvard University

Soft Robotic Arms: Giving Biologists a Delicate, Deep-sea Reach

Wyss researchers develop a soft, modular underwater robotic arm for marine aid.

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National Geographic

Tiny Fish Use Bacteria to Glow in the Dark

Marine biologist, David Gruber, observes unusual night scuba dive event.

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Best Job Ever

Marine Biologist: David Gruber

David Gruber investigates bioluminescent fish on National Geographic.

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Harvard Gazette

Radcliffe’s ‘jellyfish guy’ follows the light

David Gruber explores oceanic enigmas for new biomedical tools/treatments.

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National Geographic

How Surfing Lead One NatGeo Explorer to The Depths of The Ocean

David Gruber discusses his ocean connection's origins at National Geographic event.

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The New York Times

Don’t Squish the Jellyfish. Capture It With a Folding Robotic Cla

New invention aids safe, effective study of sea creatures in habitat.

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TED Ed

Jellyfish predate dinosaurs. How have they survived so long?

TED Talk on jellyfish's survival since pre-dinosaur times.

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National Geographic

EXCLUSIVE: "Glowing" Sea Turtle Discovered

David Gruber, a National Geographic Explorer, discovered a vividly colored, unidentified object while filming coral near the Solomon Islands.

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National Geographic

EXCLUSIVE: How "Glowing" Sharks See Each Other

Exploring how 200+ newly discovered biofluorescent sharks perceive the world.

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National Geographic

Squishy Robot Fingers: A Breakthrough for Underwater Science

Marine biologists use rovers for deep-water research; robotic arms may harm organisms.

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Grist

What's there to see at the bottom of the ocean?

David Gruber aims to increase knowledge of the deep sea, surpassing moon exploration.

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National Geographic

Biologist Illuminates Glowing Underwater World

David Gruber, a marine biologist, studies glowing underwater animals.

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BBC News

Real and imminent extinction risk to whales

Scientists' letter urgents global action to protect marine mammals.

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Contact

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