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William Detrich
Professor of Marine and Environmental Sciences
617.373.4495
Expertise
biochemistry, Marine Biology, Marine Science

William Detrich in the Press

William Detrich for Northeastern Global News

emperor penguin on iceberg

Emperor penguins are Antarctica’s most iconic bird. Are they on the verge of extinction?

Huge colonies of emperor penguins saw no chicks survive last breeding season due to loss of sea ice. Northeastern Antarctic expert William Detrich says it is not “emperor doomsday” — yet.

The secret to better eyesight? Just add oxygen (and millions of years of evolution).

A study published by an international collaboration of researchers, including Northeastern professor H. William Detrich, recently revealed how a steady supply of oxygen helped vertebrates evolve better vision.

When the climate changed, these fish were ready

A new study of notothenioids from Northeastern’s Marine Science Center helps inform our understanding of how species diversify in response to environmental change. And, because many of the rare traits of these Antarctic fish are considered serious diseases in our own species, the scientists’ work can also help us understand more about human health.

Northeastern University professor H. William Detrich demonstrates that you can make a hybrid icefish

Northeastern professor H. William Detrich set out to study how warming waters might affect how icefish grow and develop. But he wound up demonstrating that sperm and eggs from two different species of icefish can combine to create viable offspring.

Sequencing the genome of the blackfin icefish might help us better understand anemia, osteoporosis, and other ailments

Northeastern professor H. William Detrich’s work in sequencing the genome of Antarctica’s blackfin icefish could help scientists better understand human health issues.

Antarctica is no longer the cool place it used to be for its cold-adapted fish. So what changed?

Northeastern professor William Detrich has visited Antarctica so many times that an island on the continent is named after him. His latest odyssey is documented in “Expedition Antarctica,” a YouTube series that chronicles his team’s  journey and research discoveries.

3Qs: Creating the world’s largest marine preserve and what it means for fishing, climate research

Last week, an agreement was reached by 24 nations and the European Union to establish the world’s largest marine protected area, in the Ross Sea in Antarctica. The area, which will come under protection on Dec. 1, 2017, covers some 600,000 square miles of ocean, 28 percent of which will be designated as research zones. […]

Antarctic island named after Northeastern professor

William Detrich has been making research trips to Palmer Station in Antarctica for more than 30 years. Now, in recognition of his notable discoveries, a small island less than a mile away from the research facility has been commemoratively named after him.

How will cold-loving Antarctic fish respond to warming ocean waters?

Antarctic fish are a vital component to the food web that sustains life in the cold Southern Ocean that surrounds Antarctica. They feed on smaller organisms, and serve as meals for the bigger ones. But little is known about how the rapid rate at which these waters are warming will affect the development of fish […]

First genome of an Antarctic notothenioid fish sequenced

Northeastern is part of an international research team that has sequenced the first genome of an Antarctic notothenioid fish. The breakthrough will shed light on the animal's unique evolutionary adaptation to freezing waters.