Dave Sherwin Dot Com

This is cool! Way to go bro! The story is taken from Christopher Newport University’s website:

Dr. Rick Sherwin, assistant professor of biology at Christopher Newport University, may be the new host of Animal Planet’s developing television show “Sacred Beasts”.

In January, Sherwin was contacted by the show’s creators from Ping Pong Productions who expressed interest in casting him as the host of their new television project. Having little experience in hosting or acting in general, Sherwin was thoroughly surprised with the offer.

“I’ve never had any real aspiration to work in front of cameras. Most of the work I do is usually behind the scene research,” said Sherwin.

The people at Ping Pong Productions did a little research of their own and after an extensive review saw Sherwin as a good fit for the job.

“We wanted an expert, not so much a TV personality, but a scientist/biologist/adventurer type to carry the show and bring some scientific credibility to the project.” said Ping Pong Production employee, Rob Stiles.

A perfect match to this criteria, Sherwin stands out from an infinite number of researchers and professors due to his undaunted interests and dedication to his field.

As a conservation biologist, Sherwin emphasizes the importance of learning outside the classroom to all his students and certainly epitomizes this ideal. Whereas most research is conducted in air conditioned labs or on closely monitored territory, Sherwin’s scientific interests have led him to dangerous explorations in 100-year-old abandoned mines.

The research is based around the conservation of the Townsend’s big-eared bats, a species whose survival is contingent upon the adequate management of abandoned mines. Sherwin takes an active role in the preservation of this species by uncovering bat habitats and conducting genetic analysis to see the variations in each mine’s population.

Sherwin has been to many locations including Alaska, Arizona, Idaho and Nevada delving into hazardous mines searching for bats. Most mines are considered real dangers to the public as they may carry live and active blasting caps, toxic gases or unstable structures ready to collapse. Because of these unsafe conditions most mines are closed and sealed. Sherwin’s goal as a bat conservationist is to survey the various mines for bats and recommend the best way to close them using bat-friendly barriers.

“As a conservation biologist, I believe strongly that the needs of wildlife and integrity of natural systems can be maintained, even in the face of burgeoning human populations and encroachment into natural areas,” explained Sherwin.

In 2005, Sherwin’s efforts were documented as part of a segment for the show “Science Out There” produced by Rich Blundell, founder of Omniscopic Productions.

It was this footage of Sherwin’s Northern Idaho expedition that caught the attention of the Los Angeles based Ping Pong Production company in considering a host for “Sacred Beasts.”

The production designed for Animal Planet which interweaves science and anthropology, will focus on the cultural significance of animals in various societies. “Sacred Beasts takes an in depth look into societies, cultures, cults and festivals that celebrate animals around the world,” said Stiles. “Today, some of the most extraordinary festivals and religious ceremonies are evidence of just how close the relationship is between man and beast. This show will tell the stories of their religious, cultural or spiritual fears which keep man and beast in reverse power to this day.”

Although there are a few details left in the decision making process, such as seeing how Sherwin translates on camera, excitement is apparent among students and faculty alike.

“Education outside of the classroom can best be achieved through involvement outside of academia, in more wide reaching forums such as the media and popular literature,” said Sherwin. Surely this oppurtunity will allow for a broad application of science, one that will spark interest among the public and the CNU community.

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