UGalapagos Update: Students Settle In

Posted on February 22, 2012 by RSMAS

Isabela Oceanographic Institute. Photo by IOI

In last week’s update, Rosenstiel School undegrad Sarah Miller shared some breath taking views from her Spring Semester UGalapagos experience.

This week is all about the experience, specifically the group overseeing the trip, the Isabela Oceanographic Institute (IOI). IOI is the academic home for the students semester-long stay, providing classroom and laboratory facilities. IOI is a non-profit center for education and research that promotes environmental awareness and sustainable ecotourism.

Welcome to the Galapagos. Photo by IOI

Students getting ready to meet their host families. Photo by IOI

Welcome Reception. Photo by IOI

Andrew DeChellis
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RSMAS Cobia Producing up to 1.2 Million Eggs Per Spawn

Posted on February 21, 2012 by RSMAS

Cobia eggs

I had a chance to check out some fantastic photos by the Rosenstiel School’s Aquaculture program courtesy of Hatchery Manager Ron Hoenig. In the above photo you can see a handful of Cobia eggs. Ron noted that with each spawn, the Cobia are producing between 1 and 1.2 million eggs per fish, which is roughly every 2 weeks for each female.

Mahi-Mahi bull

This is a great view of the bull Mahi. You can see the dorsal fin sticking out the water. Below is a group shot of some 4.5 month old Mahi offspring. The adult Mahi have adjusted very well after being introduced to the Aquaculture program last year.

Juvenile Mahi-Mahi

Miami Boat Show Mania!

Posted on February 17, 2012 by RSMAS

Mark and Bruce show the handheld billfish satellite logbook system, manufactured by CLS America.

Grad students Mark Fitchett and Bruce Pohlot demonstrating the Billfish Satellite Logbook System, used by UM scientists to collect ocean data. The Central American Billfish Association teamed up with Casa Vieja Lodge for this prime spot at the Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail.

CABA board member Tim Choate stops in to see the new Android powered logbook system

Are you attending the boat show this weekend? What are you looking forward to? Comment below.

-Barbra Gonzalez
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RSMAS Undergrad Gets Involved – Takes Full Advantage of Time at Univ. of Miami

Posted on February 17, 2012 by RSMAS

Hi my name is Ian Chambers and I am a senior undergraduate marine science & biology major here at “The U!” Some of you may know me from Rho Rho Rho, or attending UMiami sporting events, or maybe just seeing me around campus. But what a lot of undergrads don’t realize is that I had the opportunity to be involved with many different things out at RSMAS in my 4 years.

I currently am working on an independent study in Dr. Michael Schmale’s lab, and my main objective is to characterize all the different cell lines that have been immortalized. Dr. Schmale’s lab is working to determine mechanisms responsible for the transformation of health cells to cancerous transmissible tumors in fish.

My research involves the use of fluorescent dyes on these tumor cell cultures, and imaging their DNA and mitochondria. I am keying in on differences of cells in order to describe and quantify the cancer lines. Here is one of my fluorescent images I’ve been working on, with the nuclei dyed green and mitochondria red:

- Ian Chambers
Senior, Marine Science & Biology
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Myron and Nicole Wang Appear on Coral Gables TV with Belkys Perez

Posted on February 16, 2012 by RSMAS

Myron and Nicole Wang at Coral Gables TV with anchor Belkys Perez

Myron and Nicole Wang appeared on Coral Gables TV with anchor Belkys Perez earlier today. The two chatted about their work with the Rosenstiel School’s DAMSL project, and the 3400+ images collected over more than 40 years of diving. The Wangs will act as judges for the School’s 7th Annual Underwater Photography Contest, which this year will feature a new “Fan Favorite” category.

- Barbra Gonzalez
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Video: Shark Research with RJD on Mysteriously Beached Lemon Shark

Posted on February 16, 2012 by RSMAS

Last year, after a lemon shark was reported dead on a Florida beach, Director of the R.J. Dunlap Marine Conservation Program Dr. Neil Hammerschlag, and two Ph.D. students, Austin Gallagher and David Shiffman, conducted a necropsy on the shark.

This very short video teaches you basic anatomy and gives you a peak into the life of a lemon shark.

-Andrew DeChellis
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UGalapagos Update: More Photos of Spring Semester 2012

Posted on February 15, 2012 by RSMAS

Courtesy of University of Miami marine biology undergrad Sarah Miller, we have a second look (Click here for first look) into the UGalapagos Spring 2012 semester. These amazing photos make me want to book a one way ticket to the Galapagos ASAP!

Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit … Oh My

Posted on February 9, 2012 by RSMAS

Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Board Meeting

After twelve years of existence, the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust ( BTT ) is a global leader in sponsoring and funding the research to support bonefish, tarpon and permit fisheries. BTT is holding its board meeting at the Rosenstiel School today! The organization is supporting or collaborating on research projects throughout the Caribbean and Pacific, including several projects with UM Marine Biology and Fisheries Professor Jerry Ault. Their goal is to protect and enhance both species by gaining a better understanding of their biology and ecology. With this understanding will come better management and conservation. UM is proud to be partnering with this exciting organization!

Stanley, Harvaky, Ault, Mann

Fisher,Peterson,Scherb,Causey, Avissar

Hirsh, Fernandez

A Hoot and a Holler

Posted on February 9, 2012 by RSMAS

Panoramic view at Broad Key Research Station

Yesterday I spent some time on the Rosenstiel School’s research station Broad Key with site manager Dr. Evan D’Alessandro. After spending some time walking the island we headed to the Great House located in the island’s center. The balcony and roof area provides excellent panoramic views of the surrounding environment and allowed me to use a favorite iPhone app of mine – Photosynth – which stitches together multiple photos to make a nice panoramic shot with minimal effort.

Great Horned Owl. Photo by Dr. Evan D'Alessandro

As we were standing on top of the roof taking in a beautiful site, Evan ushers me over to a corner. He then picks up what looked like a clump of dirt from a distance, but upon further examination, it was what he refered to as an “Owl Pellet.” Because Owl’s do not have teeth, they have to eat their food whole, swallowing large undigestible chunks such as fur, feathers and bones. To rid their bodies of these objects, they cough them up in a big ol’ fur ball or “Owl Pellet.” Evan tells me that Broad Key is home to a Great Horned Owl which he has spotted several times.

All in all it was a great day at Broad Key and I left with some interesting fun facts I never imagined knowing. Just another day at Rosenstiel’s dynamic Broad Key Research Station!

Owl Pellet

UGalapagos Welcomes Spring 2012 Students

Posted on February 8, 2012 by RSMAS

It's All About the U! Photo by Dr. Michael Schmale

The University of Miami’s UGalapagos Spring Semester is underway and first images of the students in action have made it back to RSMAS. Launched in January 2010, UGalapagos is an exciting semester study abroad program that takes students and University of Miami faculty to the famed Galapagos Islands for a field-oriented semester of study. Through an academic partnership with the Isabela Oceanographic Institute, located in the picturesque community of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, the spring semester is tailored to the needs and interests of students majoring in marine science, biology and geology. Courses are taught sequentially as intensive two-week experiences by UM faculty experts.

Marine Biology & Fisheries Associate Professor Dr. Lynne Fieber works with students in the Galapagos.