Lab Alumni

 

 

Kendall Lord (M.S., 2016)
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Position: 
 7th Grade Science Teacher at Azalea Middle School

Education:
2016 M.S. Marine Biology and Coastal Zone Management, Nova Southeastern University
2012 B.S. Marine Biology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

Capstone: A History of Research in the Bathypelagic Realm, Earth’s Largest Habitat

Research Interests:
My research focuses on acquiring a better understanding of deep-water pelagic ecosystems with an emphasis on the bathypelagic realm. This is Earth’s largest habitat yet it is the least explored or understood. My previous experiences include a dive team internship at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in addition to working as a junior research assistant with the IUCN Marine Biodiversity Unit for Global Marine Species Assessment based at Old Dominion University.

  
 

Alex Marks (M.S., 2016)
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Education:
2016 M.S. Marine Biology, Nova Southeastern University
2013 B.S. Dual Major: Zoology and Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Thesis: Reproductive ecology of dragonfishes (Family: Stomiidae) in the Gulf of Mexico

Research Interests:
My research interests are centered on the reproduction of fishes, especially on understudied species such as those found in the deep sea. My thesis focuses on the reproductive ecology of the Stomiidae, or dragonfishes, a large taxon of predatory fishes that primarily inhabit the mesopelagic zone. My thesis uses a visual, macroscopic approach as well as microscopic, histological approach of the gonad. Using these methods, I will be collecting data on the size at first reproduction, sex ratio, maturity stage of the gonad, hermaphroditism, and production rate of the 12 dominant species collected in the Gulf. These data are essential for ecosystem-based modeling of global deep-pelagic ecosystems, which contain the overwhelming majority of earth’s fish biomass.

Achievements/Awards: 
 Title V Fellow

  
Katie Bowen (M.S., 2015)
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Education:
2015 M.S. Marine Biology, Nova Southeastern University
2010 M.Ed. Secondary Education: Curriculum and Instruction, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
2006 B.S. Dual Major: Marine Science/Biology and Biology/Organismal/Ecology, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
  

Thesis: Connectivity of Coastal and Oceanic Ecosystems: Pelagic Habitat Use by Juvenile Reef Fishes in the Gulf of Mexico

Research Interests:
My thesis focused on juvenile reef fishes that were collected in the pelagic habitat of the northern Gulf of Mexico using a 10-m2 MOCNESS midwater trawl during a 3-month (late spring/early summer) sampling series conducted in 2011.  The assemblage structure, abundance, biomass, horizontal and vertical distribution of juvenile reef fishes were described. Also, my interests include the biota of the deep sea, ocean conservation and restoration, as well as fisheries research.

Publications:
Bowen, K., T. Sutton, A. Cook, and J. Moore (in review) Open ocean habitat use by juvenile reef fishes in the northern Gulf of Mexico: connectivity between coastal and oceanic ecosystems.

Sutton, T., A. Cook, T. Frank, H. Judkins, M. Youngbluth, J. Moore, M. Vecchione, M. Nizinski, L. Malarky, E. Burdett, C. Fine, and K. Bowen (2015) Oceanic micronekton, nekton and gelatinous macroplankton of the northern Gulf of Mexico from 0-1500 m depth: faunal composition, abundance, vertical distribution, and new records of occurrence. NOAA Technical Report, Office of Response and Restoration.

 

Lacey Malarky (M.S., 2015)
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Position: 
 Analyst, Illegal Fishing & Seafood Fraud, Oceana

Education:
2015 M.S. Marine Biology, Nova Southeastern University
2009 B.A. Marine Biology, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL

Thesis: Faunal composition and distribution of pelagic larval and juvenile flatfishes (Teleostei: Pleuronectiformes) in the northern Gulf of Mexico: connectivity between coastal and oceanic epipelagic ecosystems

Research Interests:
My thesis project focused on the faunal composition and spatial distribution of pelagic larval and juvenile flatfishes in the offshore northern Gulf of Mexico. While adult flatfishes are generally found in coastal areas, their larvae develop in offshore surface waters, and are a consistent component of the oceanic ichthyofauna in the region.  My overall research interest lies in ocean conservation and fisheries research and management.

Publications:
Malarky, L. and T. Sutton (in review) Faunal composition and distribution of pelagic larval flatfishes (Teleostei: Pleuronectiformes) in the northern Gulf of Mexico: connectivity between epipelagic coastal and oceanic ecosystems.

Sutton, T., A. Cook, J. Moore, R.D. Wells and L. Malarky (in review) Vertical ecology of the deep Gulf of Mexico, a high-diversity pelagic ecosystem, after Deepwater Horizon.

Sutton, T., A. Cook, T. Frank, H. Judkins, M. Youngbluth, J. Moore, M. Vecchione, M. Nizinski, L. Malarky, E. Burdett, C. Fine, and K. Bowen (2015) Oceanic micronekton, nekton and gelatinous macroplankton of the northern Gulf of Mexico from 0-1500 m depth: faunal composition, abundance, vertical distribution, and new records of occurrence. NOAA Technical Report, Office of Response and Restoration.

Fautin D.G., L. Malarky, J. Soberón (2013) Latitudinal diversity of sea anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria). Biological Bulletin 224:2 89-98. 

 

Jennifer Putland (Ph.D., 2007)

Education:
2011 Postdoc, Harbor Branch Oceanography Initiation
2006-2007 Ph.D. Oceanography, Florida State University

Selected Publications:
Putland, J. N., B. Mortazavi, R.L. Iverson, and S.W. Wise (2014) Phytoplankton biomass and composition in a river-dominated estuary during two summers of contrasting river discharge. Estuaries and coasts 37(3): 664-679.

Putland, J. and T.T. Sutton (2011) Survey of larval Euphausia superba lipid content along the western Antarctic Peninsula during late autumn 2006. Polar Science 5(3): 383-389.

Putland, J. and  T.T. Sutton (2010) Microzooplankton grazing and productivity in the central and southern sector of the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. Florida Scientist 73(3/4): 236.

Putland, J. N., B.E.H.Z.A.D. Mortazavi, and R.L. Iverson (2009) Changes in Phytoplankton and Bacterioplankton Biomass and Rate Processes in Apalachicola Bay, Florida, in Response to Reduction in River Discharge. Gulf of Mexico Science 27(2): 109-122.

 

Kyle Bartow (Ph.D., 2010)
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Position: 
 Associate Professor
Indian River State College

Education:
2010 Ph.D. Integrative Biology, Florida Atlantic University
2005 B.S. Dual Major: Biology and Marine Science, University of Miami

Thesis: Taxonomy and Ecology of the Deep-Pelagic Fish Family Melamphaidae with Emphasis on Interactions with a Midocean Ridge System

Research Interests:
As long as I can remember, I have been intrigued by life in the darkness of the deep ocean. I was given the opportunity to study a family of deep-sea fishes for my dissertation research which lives in the deep sea without the aid of bioluminescence. Specimens for this research were collected along the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which could represent a unique interaction of these traditionally pelagic fishes with the benthic environment. My research focused on attempting to reconcile the number of species within the family while also learning more about the ecology of this poorly studied family of fishes. One of the intriguing findings of the research was that melamphaid from the study area had a diet that was comprised mostly of gelatinous larvacean prey. Gelatinous prey have traditionally been seen as lacking enough nutrients to sustain larger fish species, but this research showed that a biomass dominant species of fish could be successful with a diet containing primarily gelatinous prey. Since graduating, I have become a professor at Indian River State College where I teach a wide range of classes and help prepare our bachelors students for a career in the sciences through planning and carrying out their own undergraduate research projects.


Jennifer Bartow (M.S., 2008)
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Education:
2008 M.S. Biological Science, Florida Atlantic University
2004 B.S. Dual Major: Biology and Marine Science, University of Tampa

Thesis: Trophic ecology of the slender snipe eel, Nemichthys scolopaceus (Anguilliformes: Nemichthyidae)

Research Interests:
I was always interested in the sea, and the animals of the deep were particularly intriguing. My thesis focused on the diet and composition of a large assembly of deep-sea slender snipe eels off the coast of the Georges Bank.  The common belief of deep sea organisms is that prey is scarce and predators should therefore be fairly opportunistic.  My research, on the other hand, showed that these eels were actually very discriminatory in their feeding, selecting mainly euphausiids and large decapod crustaceans.  Upon graduation, I have since moved into the education field, as a high school science teacher, and am hopefully cultivating a love of the sea in the next generation.

Publications:
Feagans-Bartow, J.N. and T.T. Sutton (2014) Ecology of the oceanic rim: pelagic eels as key ecosystem components. Marine Ecology Progress Series 502: 257-266.

 

Megan Geidner (M.S., 2008)

Education:
2008 M.S., Florida Atlantic University 

Thesis: Spatial and trophic ecology of the sawtooth eel, Serrivomer beanii, a biomass-dominant bathypelagic fish over the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

 

Andrey Suntsov (Ph.D., 2003)

Education:
2007 Postdoc, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
2003 Ph.D. Zoology, Marine Biology, Biogeography, Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Moscow
1997 M.S., Virginia Institute of Marine Science
1993 B.S. Moscow State University

Publications:
Suntsov, A. and R. Domokos (2013) Vertically migrating micronekton and macrozooplankton communities around Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers 71: 113-129.

Suntsov, A., J.A. Koslow, and W. Watson (2012) The spatial structure of coastal ichthyoplankton assemblages off central and southern California. California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations Reports 53: 153-170.

 

Phillips, A. J., R.D. Brodeur and A.V. Suntsov (2009) Micronekton community structure in the epipelagic zone of the northern California Current upwelling system. Progress in Oceanography 80(1): 74-92.

Suntsov, A. V. and R.D. Brodeur (2008) Trophic ecology of three dominant myctophid species in the northern California Current region. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 373: 81-96.

Suntsov, A. V. (2007) Brotulotaenia (Teleostei: Ophidiiformes) larval development revisited: an apparently new type of mimetic resemblance in the epipelagic ocean. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 14: 177-186.