More specifically, it means that if you have questions about unusual floating objects, he is the person to call (that you should call).
The following is a part of the reading comprehension of a passage in a college exam in China this year:
...As the result of his work, Ebbesmeyer has become known as the scientist to call with questions about any unusual objects found floating in the ocean. He has even started an association of beachcombers and ocean experts, with 500 subscribers from West Africa to New Zealand. They have recorded all lost objects ranging from potatoes to golf gloves.
Question: Ebbesmeyer is most famous for ________.
A. traveling widely the coastal cities of the world B. making records for any lost objects on the sea
C. running a global currents research association D. phoning about any doubtful objects on the sea
And the answer given to students is "D".
Don't you think it is a misunderstanding of "the scientist to call"? Ebbesmeyer is such a famous scientist that we, if having a question about any unusual objects found floating in the ocean, may call him for his expertise. It is common people that call the scientist for information. But answer D means that it is the scientist who calls.
We can find his information easily on the wedsite:
http://flotsametrics.com/author.php, which says:"Media worldwide have turned to his expertise on ocean currents and floating objects", and "hosting the radio program Flotsam Hour, in which listeners call in with interesting flotsam". See, listeners call him, turn to his expertise.
Thanks for help!
