Mary Alice McWhinnie

Mary Alice McWhinnie (1922-1980) had a deep history with DePaul University where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree. After receiving her doctorate at Northwestern, she returned to DePaul as a professor of biology. Over the course of time, McWhinnie became a world authority on krill—tiny shrimp-like crustaceans that play a key role in Antarctica’s food chain. Her ongoing research included four cruises on the USNS Eltanin in the Antarctic to study “the relation of water temperature to the physiology of molting crustaceans.” In 1972, McWhinnie was appointed the first female chief scientist on the Eltanin. After her death, an Antarctic mountain peak and the marine science center at Palmer Station were named after Dr. McWhinnie.

Why this stop? The Fullerton stop (serving the Red, Brown and Purple Lines) is at the doorstep of DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus.

See photos of the Eltanin and Dr. McWhinnie

Get involved—Does climate change affect krill? You bet! Learn about the effects of climate change on krill and on other sea and marine creatures of the Antarctic by following the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition on Facebook or Twitter  AND be sure to vote for candidates who pledge to address climate change!