Dreams of the Deep.

• Author: Beers, Heather
• Position: Brent Andersen, president of the future Living Planet Aquarium - Brief Article

Imagine handling a 6-foot python from the Amazon rain forest or petting a coral cat shark. Envision catching a real-time glimpse of the earth's topography projected onto a translucent sphere via satellite.

Brent Andersen, a man with limitless imagination and undaunted tenacity, plans to make these experiences a reality for Utahns by constructing a world class acquarium in downtown Salt Lake City.

As founder and president of the future Living Planet Aquarium, Andersen has already initiated three statewide education programs. The Aquavan and Rain Forest Van bring exotic animals to Utah's school children through educational assemblies. His zoology program allows qualified high school students to help care for the rare animals when they're not on tour.

Meanwhile, he gets closer every day to his goal of breaking ground for the aquarium.

How did this Sandy man come by his passion for marine life? His grandmother presented him with a Time/Life marine science book on his 5th birthday. "For me, it was like watching TV. Every single day, I'd flip through the book and marvel at all the amazing animals. From then on I didn't want to be a fireman or policeman -- I wanted to be a marine biologist."

Andersen earned a degree in marine biology from the University of California Santa Barbara and landed a prestigious job as a biochemist at a cancer research center. Despite the fabulous salary, seven-hour workdays, and loads of vacation time, the job didn't stir his soul.

Bringing an aquarium to the land-locked children of Utah did. He bid farewell to his secure position as a biochemist and said hello to the uncertainty of creating The Living...