Ryan was invited to join other researchers and NSF & NASA program officers in New Orleans (just before the Ocean Sciences Meetings) to figure out what sort of research could best increase our understanding of the global biological carbon pump. Ryan’s main goal–in addition to checking out NOLA–was to help get “parasites” included whenever “consumers” were mentioned, and to promote considering how parasitoids (viruses or otherwise) influence carbon sinking rates by “blowing up” unicellular plankton. The mission appeared to be a success, in that good times were had by all and that understanding the role of parasites repeatedly came out as a top priority.