Biology and Marine Biology
Address
Juneau Faculty | |
 Professor of Biology, Natural Sciences Department Chair Phone: 796-6599, Fax: 796-6447 Email: sltamone@alaska.edu Arts and Sciences - Natural Sciences Anderson Bldg, 205A, Juneau Campus Juneau Campus Education
Ph.D research conducted at the Bodega Marine Laboratory ResearchMy studies are concerned with the role of hormones in regulating physiological processes in decapod Crustacea (crabs and lobsters). Hormones are chemical mediators that regulate physiological processes such as growth, reproduction, and osmoregulation. I am interested in the mechanism by which hormones such as ecdysteroids, methyl farnesoate, and molt-inhibiting hormone regulate growth and reproduction in decapod crustaceans. The majority of crustaceans that I study are commercially important crabs. These include Dungeness crab, Cancer magister, snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, and king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus. Ecdysteroids are crustacean hormones that function to regulate the molt cycle and therefore the growth of these animals. Methyl farnesoate is a sesquiterpenoid hormone derived from the mandibular organ that functions in both reproduction and growth. Methyl farnesoate also may be critical during crustacean larval development and morphogenesis. Methyl farnesoate is structurally similar to the insect juvenile hormones, which regulate insect development. Other studies related to crustacean physiology involve the effect of endogenous crustacean hormones on ectoparasites. Specifically, I have an interest in how hormones (ecdysteroids, methyl farnesoate) can be exploited by certain parasites. The model for these studies is the infection of the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister by the nemertean worm, Carcinonemertes errans. Courses Taught
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 Professor of Biology Phone: 796-6330, Fax: 796-6447 Email: datallmon@alaska.edu Arts and Sciences - Natural Sciences Anderson Bldg, 205D, Juneau Campus Juneau Campus Education
ResearchMy general interests are in evolution, ecology, and conservation biology. My focus is on understanding the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of natural populations using demographic and genetic models, molecular genetic data, and field data. I have long-standing interest in combining population genomics and demographic information to infer important evolutionary and demographic parameters for wild populations. More recently, my post-docs and I have focused upon the role of phenotypic plasticity in adaptation. I have used models based on likelihood and approximate Bayesian computation to infer demographic vital rates or effective population size with the goal of providing useful results and tools for conservation and evolutionary biology. As an example, some collaborators and I have recently developed an approach to infer effective size of a population using a single sample of microsatellite data and approximate Bayesian computation. We focus on a number of different taxa in my lab, with current work on a handful of terrestrial and marine vertebrates and invertebrates, including: coastrange sculpins, giant Pacific octopus, red king crab, spruce grouse, file dogwinkles, ringed seals and boreal toads. I enjoy working with students who are highly-motivated, broadly interested in evolution and conservation, and focused on understanding population-level process using descriptive and manipulative approaches. Prospective grad students should read more here. Curriculum vitaeAffiliations
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OtherOther Interests: telemark skiing, hiking, soccer and basketball | |
 Assistant Professor of Marine Fisheries Phone: 796-6293 Email: monavarro@alaska.edu Arts and Sciences - Natural Sciences Anderson Bldg, 205 F, Juneau Campus Juneau Campus http://www.uas.alaska.edu/arts_sciences/ Education
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 Associate Professor of Marine Biology Phone: 796-6582, Fax: 796-6447 Email: cabergstrom@alaska.edu Arts and Sciences - Natural Sciences Anderson Bldg, 205B, Juneau Campus Juneau Campus Education
ResearchHow does natural selection maintain phenotypic variation within marine species? What role do ecological interactions like predation and competition play? My research interests are broadly concerned with these questions. More specifically, I investigate (1) how ecological interactions in the ocean orchestrate relationships between form, function, and fitness, (2) the ecofunctional implications of bilateral asymmetries, and (3) the impact glacial melt-water has on estuarine fish communities. I explore these topics with a variety of techniques, including morphometrics and behavioral observations, field experiments, multivariate statistics, stable isotope analyses, and experimental assessment of fitness. I currently have two main research projects underway. The first of these is the evolution of body asymmetry in flatfish. Flatfish exhibit remarkably derived body morphology. They undergo metamorphosis as pelagic larvae, where one eye migrates over the dorsal midline so that both eyes are on the same side of the head, and they lie on the ocean floor, eyed-side facing up. While the vast majority of the 715 flatfish species contain all left-eyed or all right-eyed individuals, 7 species contain both morphs. To date, we don't have a good understanding of the evolutionary trajectory flatfish took to become asymmetric, or the significance of asymmetry direction. One polymorphic species, the starry flounder, exhibits a cline in the north Pacific in the relative frequency of left- vs. right-eyed individuals, and the two morphs show evidence of ecological segregation. It is one of the first demonstrations of the ecological significance of polymorphism in a marine species, and contributes to our understanding how asymmetry evolved across the flatfish order. My second current research project involves how glacial melt water affects fish living in estuaries. Glacial estuaries differ in habitat characteristics from rain-fed estuaries, including temperature, sediment composition, turbidity, and water chemistry. In a collaborative project funded by EPSCoR Alaska and Alaska Sea Grant, we are comparing community structure of fishes found across estuaries that differ in their glacial influence. Differences in these communities will inform predictions of how marine fishes will respond to predicted increases in melting rate of glaciers that flow into our oceans. Courses Taught
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 Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Phone: 796-6279, Fax: 796-6447 Email: msstekoll@alaska.edu Arts and Sciences - Natural Sciences Anderson Bldg, 205E, Juneau Campus Juneau Campus Education
ResearchThe biological communities along most of the rocky shores of Alaska are defined by the marine plant associations. A major portion of the primary production throughout the year is provided by the benthic plants in the nearshore. These communities are often disturbed not only by natural phenomena, such as winter storms and ice, but also by anthropogenic disturbances such as harvesting and pollution. My research has concentrated in both basic and applied aspects of the biology and ecology of marine benthic plants and on the effects of disturbances on this community. My associates and I have investigated the effects of harvest and pollution on the intertidal and subtidal seaweeds. We have also developed techniques fore using remote sensing to map floating kelp beds in SE Alaska. We have conducted applied research on the commercial exploitation of seaweeds. In addition to performing seaweed resource assessments for potential commercial harvest, we have investigated the potential of mariculture as a means to enhance exploited algal resources. There are many organisms that can be cultured which have potential to be developed as a high value product. Among these are seaweeds such as Macrocystis (giant kelp), Nereocystis (bull kelp) and Porphyra (nori). My lab has worked out the procedures for the successful mariculture of Macrocystis. We have researched the physiological ecology of Porphyra as it relates to its culture. This plant can be marketed both as nori for the sushi and health food market and as black seaweed for the Native community. Our latest project is investigating nitrogen partitioning in the red alga Palmaria, a potential feed for abalone culture, throughout its growing season. I am also involved in kelp ecology and mariculture studies in South Africa in cooperation with colleagues at the University of Cape Town and Marine and Coastal Management. Other "non seaweed" projects have involved the effects of pollution on salmon and herring. We completed research on the potential impacts of mining activities on the nearshore benthos, and have investigated the effects of common ions (hard water) from mine wastewater on the growth and development of coho salmon. Another project has been research on delayed effects of oil exposure on zebra fish as a model for salmonid exposure. Courses Taught
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 Associate Professor of Marine Biology Phone: 796-6271, Fax: 796-6447 Email: hcpearson@alaska.edu Arts and Sciences - Natural Sciences Anderson Bldg, Rm 205C, Juneau Campus Juneau Campus http://www.uas.alaska.edu/arts_sciences/naturalsciences/biology EducationPh.D., Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 2008 ResearchGo here to learn about my marine mammal research lab, BREACH, and read the latest updates from the field. Courses TaughtBiology of Marine Mammals (lecture and lab) | |
 Assistant Professor of Marine Fisheries Phone: 796-6586, Fax: 796-6447 Email: mkcox@alaska.edu Arts and Sciences - Natural Sciences Anderson Bldg, 2056, Juneau Campus Juneau Campus http://www.uas.alaska.edu/artssciences/naturalsciences Education
BiographyFor the past three years, Dr. Cox has served as the Director for the Alaska Native Science and Engineering (ANSEP) program at UAS and has taught microbiology in the department. Prior to coming to UAS, Dr. Cox worked as a Fisheries Research Scientist and ANSEP Liaison for the US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service Auke Bay Laboratory, and was the science chair at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka. Upon the closure of Sheldon Jackson, Dr. Cox served as the first Chair and co-founder of the board of the Sitka Sound Science Center. He is the co-founder of Certified Quality Foods, Inc., a seafood technology company that manufactures electrical impedance based quality and composition analyzers. | |
 Term Assistant Professor of Chemistry Phone: 796-6275, Fax: 796-6447 Email: skendig@alaska.edu | |
Sitka Faculty | |
 Adjunct, Biology Phone: 747-7700 Email: dbarnet7@alaska.edu Sitka Campus EducationUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison: ResearchResearch interests include prenatal programming metabolic and reproductive disorders, programming of the stress axis, neuroendocrine regulation of reproductive behavior and fertility, and the physiology/epidemiology of gestational weight gain in humans. I am interested in the physiological consequences that environmental disruption during important developmental stages can have on adult health. In particular, I am interested in how the hypothalamus is programmed during its development. PublicationsAbbott DH, Bruns CR, Barnett DK, Dunaif A, Dumesic DA, Tarantal AF (2010) Experimentally-induced gestational androgen excess disrupts glucoregulation and stimulates growth in fetal and neonatal female rhesus monkeys J Clin Endocrinol Metab 95:2038-2049 Dumesic DA, Patankar MS, Barnett DK, Lesnick TG, Hutcherson BA, Abbott DH. (2009) Early prenatal androgenization results in diminished ovarian reserve in adult female rhesus monkeys. Hum Reprod 2009. Abbott DH, Barnett DK, Levine JE, Padmanabhan V, Dumesic DA, Jacoris S, Tarantal AF. (2008) Endocrine antecedents of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in fetal and infant prenatally androgenized female rhesus monkeys. Biol Reprod Jul; 79(1):154-63. Barnett DK, Bunnell, TM, Millar RP and Abbott DH. (2006) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone II stimulates female sexual behavior in marmoset monkeys. Endocrinol 147(1):615-23. Abbott DH, Bruns CM, Barnett DK, Dumesic DA (2006) Fetal programming of polycystic ovary syndrome. In: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, 2nd Edition. W.G. Kovacs and R.L. Norman (eds). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 262-287. Abbott DH, Barnett DK, Bruns CM, Dumesic DA. (2005) Androgen excess fetal programming of female reproduction: a developmental aetiology for polycystic ovary syndrome? Hum Reprod Update 11(4):357-74. Review. Abbott DH, Fong SC, Barnett DK, Dumesic DA (2004) Nonhuman primates contribute unique understanding to anovulatory infertility in women. ILAR 45(2):116-131. Barnett DK, and Abbott DH. (2003) Reproductive adaptations to a large-brained fetus open a vulnerability to anovulation similar to polycystic ovary syndrome. Am J Hum Bio 15:296-319. Abbott DH, Barnett DK, Colman RJ and Schultz-Darken NJ. (2003) Aspects of basic biology and life history of common marmosets important for biomedical research. J Comp Med 53:339-350. Barnett DK, Kimura J, Clayton MK and Bavister BD. (1997) Glucose and phosphate toxicity in hamster preimplantation embryos involves disruption of cellular organization, including distribution of active mitochondria. Molec Reprod Dev 48:1-11. Barnett DK and Bavister BD. (1996) Inhibitory effect of glucose and phosphate on the second cleavage division of hamster embryos: is it linked to metabolism? Human Reprod 11:177-183. Barnett DK, Kimura J, Bavister BD. (1996) Translocation of active mitochondria during hamster preimplantation embryo development studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Dev Dynamics 205, 64-72. Barnett DK and Bavister BD. (1996) What is the relationship between metabolism of preimplantation embryos and their developmental competence in vitro. Molec Reprod Dev 43, 105-143. Barnett DK and Bavister BD. (1992) Hypotaurine requirement for in vitro development of golden hamster one-cell embryos into morulae and blastocysts, and production of term offspring from in vitro fertilized ova. Biol Reprod 47, 297-304. Courses TaughtB111: Anatomy and Physiology I | |
 Professor, Biology Phone: 747-7702 Email: mdchapman@alaska.edu Arts and Sciences - Natural Sciences Sitka Campus EducationM.S. Biology University of St. Joseph (Focus: Human Biology) 2008 Special Recognition:UA President’s Award for Outstanding Distance Educator in Alaska (2001) Courses TaughtBIOL 111 Human Anatomy & Physiology I Past Courses Taught:Microbiology, Natural History of Alaska, Intertidal Biology, General Biology, Biology & Society, BiographyI’m originally from Northern California and lived in Bethel and Skagway before moving to Sitka in 1992. I enjoy helping students build a firm foundation in the topic that will serve them well in their careers. I am active in the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS). As part of HAPS I helped develop standards for undergraduate human anatomy and physiology courses taught in the US and Canada. I am committed to quality eLearning opportunities and developed and delivered the first distance science courses offered by UAS. As Sitka’s lab director I currently help oversee the lab support portion of UAS Sitka Distance Science courses which have grown to involve multiple faculty members and currently serve over 200 students each semester. I believe it is important to give back to my community by doing what I can to enrich science literacy, assist in community-based scientific research, and help create science-related opportunities for everyone, especially K-12 students. Community Projects:
I am particularly interested in the ecology and functional anatomy of intertidal organisms, especially with respect to predator-prey relationships. I am also very involved in marine invasive issues and research, particularly with respect to invasive tunicates. I am a member of the Alaska Marine Invasive Species subcommittee and the Didemnum vexillum Rapid Response Team. | |
 Professor, Marine Biology Phone: 747-7779 Email: jmstraley@alaska.edu Arts and Sciences - Natural Sciences Sitka Campus EducationB.S. University of Washington Seattle M.S. University of Alaska Fairbanks | |
 Assistant Professor, Biology Phone: 747-9432 Email: kllabounty@alaska.edu Arts and Sciences - Natural Sciences Sitka Campus EducationB.S. University of Washington M.S. University of California at Riverside | |
 Assistant Professor, Biology Phone: 747-7749 Email: bnbahna@alaska.edu Arts and Sciences - Natural Sciences Sitka Campus EducationM.D., DPH, Ain Shams University, Egypt M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas | |
 Assistant Professor, Biology Phone: 747-7752 Email: jmart118@alaska.edu Arts and Sciences - Natural Sciences Sitka Campus EducationB.S., M.S. Portland State University | |
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