FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 9: Focusing on Florida’s Deep Sea Reefs

2008 Rosenstiel Alumni Lecture to Feature Dr. Chuck Messing

VIRGINIA KEY, FLA. (May. 5, 2008) — The University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science has announced today that Charles G. Messing, Ph.D., who received both his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the School, will present its 2008 Alumni Lecture.  His lecture, "Hidden Oases: Florida's Deep-Sea Reefs," will take place on Friday, May 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the Rosenstiel Auditorium (4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Virginia Key, Fla.)  Hors d'oeuvres and cash bar reception will take place in the Rosenstiel Commons following the lecture.

Deep-sea corals are major components of seafloor communities associated with vast numbers of topographic features on the continental margin of the southeastern United States, as builders of the features themselves, and as primary generators of complex habitat for dense and diverse assemblages of invertebrates and fishes. Exploration of these habitats has been carried out using both manned submersibles and remotely operated vehicles. Although not yet seriously affected by human activity, the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council is considering these environments for protected status.

Messing is currently a faculty member at Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic Center in Dania Beach. His area of expertise is in the classification, ecology, distribution and evolution of crinoids (sea lilies and feather stars). Research on these animals has taken him to the Bahamas, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Micronesia, Australia and Malaysia. Messing headed teams that were the first to directly record growth rates and crawling in stalked crinoids.

Since 1975, Messing has used research submersibles, including both Alvin and Johnson-Sea-Link, to study the distribution and ecology of deep-water marine life.  Much of his recent work focuses on the ecology, diversity and distribution of Florida's deep-sea coral reefs, and he has led or accompanied five expeditions to these habitats.  He is also a scientific illustrator and an actor of some experience, having written and performed the one-man play My Beard Toward Heaven.

Messing was born just beyond the shadow of Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. Though his family soon moved to northern New Jersey, his ultimate career choice was largely guided by visits to the American Museum of Natural History.  He received a bachelor's degree in Biological Science at Rutgers University, where he also ran track, hosted a classical music radio program, and shared duties at football games during his senior year as the Scarlet Knight.  After graduating in 1970, he earned both M.S. (1975, under Frederick M. Bayer) and Ph.D. (1979, under Harding Owre Michel) degrees in Biological Oceanography at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School.  He also completed a Smithsonian post-doctoral research fellowship with David Pawson.

About the Rosenstiel School
Founded in the 1940’s, the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science has grown into one of the world’s premier marine and atmospheric research institutions. Offering dynamic interdisciplinary academics, the Rosenstiel School is dedicated to helping communities to better understand the planet, participating in the establishment of environmental policies, and aiding in the improvement of society and quality of life.  For more information, please visit www.rsmas.miami.edu