Ep 26 - From Valves to Vision: Engineering the Future of Aquarium Life Support at Shedd

In this episode of INFLOW: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber welcome Nick Kaiser, Director of Facilities at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. With over two decades of experience—from operator to engineer to director—Nick shares his unique perspective on bridging life support operations, engineering design, and sustainability at one of the nation's most iconic aquariums. The conversation dives into Shedd's ongoing 95-year-old infrastructure renovation, exploring the challenges of modernizing systems without interrupting animal care or guest experiences. Nick discusses how real-time data, automation, and collaboration between engineers and operators are shaping the future of aquatic facility management and energy efficiency. Listeners will discover: How Shedd balances innovation with historic architecture The role of data and analytics in optimizing LSS performance Strategies for energy conservation, redundancy, and reliability How teamwork between operators and engineers drives progress From hands-on valve work to leading large-scale modernization, Nick's story is a testament to the evolution of aquatic life support as both a science and an art. Stay connected with us at: https://inflowlsspodcast.com