Happy Holidays from the Biology Department!

2012 BioSociety Holiday Party!

2012 BioSociety Holiday Party!

Monday December 10^th at 11am in MH405

Come along to enjoy good food, company and numerous gifts!!

'Networking Cafe' on Monday, November 5

NETWORKING CAFE:
Meet Deb Sumner
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012

Community Time: 11 am – noon in room CC 236

What’s a Biology Major Doing in Business?

Meet, Deb Sumner, Salem State University alumna, with a bachelor of science in biology, a minor in chemistry and a concentration in medical technology. Currently, Ms. Sumner is the President of Quality Systems and Compliance, Inc. (QSC), which was established in 2000 and incorporated in 2004. She offers her clients various consulting services for in the clinical diagnostic market as well as regulatory consulting for medical device manufacturers. Although all students are welcome, Ms. Sumner’s talk will be particularly relevant for students in business and biology. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Ms. Sumner’s interesting
career path and learn about how she became successful.

Please come, eat cookies with your colleagues and meet some interesting people! We look forward to
seeing you there.

NETWORKING CAFE CO-SPONSORED BY THE CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY WITH THE BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT.

For more information, contact Gina Vega, Director, Center for Entrepreneurial Activity
at ext. 7417.

Halloween, 2012, 12:30-3:20 Cell Bio lab!

Dr. Tracy Ware and her Cell BIO lab students were busy isolating mitochondria from cauliflower and stopped midway to pose.

Photo credits: Nick Rudolph and Kelly Carter

Photos from Seniors BBQ 2012

Greg Bingham, Lynn Fletcher, Sue Case

Amy Sprenkle and Midge Hoover on ‘clean-up’ patrol

 

Group Shot

‘Burgers are ready’!

Anne Tyburc and Tracy Ware

Students having lunch

Operation Wallacea Internships - Dr. Tim Coles at Salem State University (10/1/2012)

Two videos below of Project Director and founder of Operation Wallacea, Dr. Tim Coles to our students.

Part 1 of 2 



Part 2 of 2

New Coronavirus

Email from Gwen Scottgale: 

Thought this "Bio in the news" might be of interest in a lot of different courses and is international in context.
I have the text from the Washington Times below the Washington Post's link:

Link to Washington Post article with more details: (maybe a bat virus, speedy sequencing, etc.)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/scientists-scramble-to-understand-a-new-virus-similar-to-the-one-that-caused-sars/2012/09/27/00af9842-08bb-11e2-a10c-fa5a255a9258_story.html

Community Preservation Act

If you live in Salem, you might be interested in this social event to raise awareness and funds to support the Community Preservation Act.  (Note: the CPA will result in a property tax rise (on average) of $9 per property per year; the state matches CPA funds from taxes.)

The CPA has done wonders for public space redevelopment in many other communities around MA and even neighboring Salem. Why Salem has not had the CPA in place yet is a mystery to me.

Our own Lucy Corchado worked very hard in a 4 day period to get the 1500 signatures required to put the CPA on the November ballot.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the CPA, GO TO

www.facebook.com/SalemCPA or

www.supportsalem.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JOIN YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO SUPPORT

THE COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT IN SALEM

FUNDRAISER FOR THE 2012 CAMPAIGN

TO SUPPORT QUESTION 4

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2012

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

94 WASHINGTON SQUARE EAST

SALEM, MA 01970

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2012

6pm - 8pm

potluck (bring a snack to share)    - cash bar

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the CPA, GO TO

www.facebook.com/SalemCPA or

www.supportsalem.com

Dr. T. Ware

Professor

Department of Biology

Salem State University

Praying Mantis Sexual Cannibalism and Reprodution

Just a glimpse at some of the exciting topics covered in Entomology and Behavioral Ecology! Lynn Fletcher


Praying Mantis Research - SUNY Fredonia Sexual Cannibalism and Reproduction from phil hastings on Vimeo.

Alumnus Amanda Kennedy and Operation Wallacea

Dr. Tracy Ware reported that Amanda Kennedy just got a job at the Broad Institute in Boston in the lab!

Amanda was a Cell/Molecular Biology student at SSU.  When she went to Egypt with Operation Wallacea, she worked on a DNA extraction/genome conservation project.  This Summer, Operation Wallacea asked her to go to Honduras to do the same thing and train others. 

Amanda agreed to give a talk at SSU about her experiences in the near future. 

Amanda Kennedy

ASM EDUCATION FELLOWSHIPS

Are Your Students Seeking Funding to Attend a National Meeting and Enhance Presentation Skills?    Applications Are Available Today

DEADLINE: December 1, 2012        Students will: Present their research at a national meeting, Submit a research abstract to ASM for presentation at the 2013 ASM General Meeting, and Attend the Presentation Institute before the ASM General Meeting to enhance their chances of furthering their graduate/professional training Agree to participate in an undergraduate research program at a U.S. based institution.        Benefits: Participate in the ASM Fellows Presentation Institute prior to presenting research at the ASM General Meeting Receive up to $1500 in travel support to the ASM Presentation Institute and ASM General Meeting (if abstract is accepted) Receive Two Year ASM student membership Recognition in ASM publications

ASM Undergraduate Research Capstone  Online Application—APPLY NOW Questions or concerns? Email: fellowships@asmusa.org Sincerely, Patricia Baynham, Ph.D. Chairperson ASM Undergraduate Research Capstone

American Society for Microbiology  1752 N Street NW   Washington, DC 20036

The Alfred L. Borgatti Biology Scholarship

The Alfred L. Borgatti Biology Scholarship

2010 awarded amount of $775.00

This award is endowed with a donation from the family of Alfred L. Borgatti.  Dr. Borgatti, a long time member of the Biology faculty, was an ardent supporter of student scholarship in the Natural Sciences.  Each year, a Biology major will be awarded fund s to support student scholarship. 

This fund was established for the purpose of supporting the scholarship of undergraduate majors in Biology and promoting student interest to continuing a career in Biology.  This award is restricted to covering the costs of student research projects and/or participation in professional organizations. The Award will be announced at the end of the Spring semester so that the Award can be used during the next year.  The Award can be used in a single semester or spread out over two semesters.  The annual award will be awarded according to the following principles and guidelines.  

The Alfred L. Borgatti Biology Award shall be used for:

Ø  Conference expenses

Ø  Research Costs

From the pool of students who meet the minimal academic qualifications (listed below), the award will go to the student who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the study of Biology.  The application should include information that shows strong interest in their major subjects.  In the event of equally qualified applicants, the student with the greatest demonstrated financial need shall receive the award.  This does not preclude splitting the award between two very deserving students.  To be considered, a student must meet the minimal academic qualifications:

Ø  At least a sophomore standing (45 credits), with at least 20 credits of major courses completed at Salem State College (as defined on the biology flow sheets).

Ø  If a transfer student, then at least 15 credits of major courses completed at Salem State College (as defined on the biology flow sheets).

Ø  Candidates must be a matriculated Biology major.

Ø  Minimum overall GPA of 2.5 as well as a GPA of 2.5 or better in major courses and required Chemistry & Physics support courses.

Please see the application form for specific details required.

The Alfred L. Borgatti Biology Scholarship

Application Form

Due date:  April 16, 2010 in  MH 404

Name __________________________________________  E-mail ___________________

Phone ___________________

Address  __________________________________________

            __________________________________________

Class year  __________          Major  ___________   Concentration ______________

Overall GPA _______                        Total number of credits _________

GPA in major ______ Total number of major credits at SSC ______

Major credits elsewhere (for each college)  _____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Indicate in the space below how you will use the Alfred L. Borgatti Biology Scholarship.

Attachments.

1.      Unofficial SSC transcript with major courses noted in yellow hi-liter.

2.      Unofficial transcripts for all courses that were transferred in from all other colleges.  Then use yellow hi-liter to distinguish the major courses.

3.      Please give a brief statement that describes your interest in Biology and the Alfred L. Borgatti Biology Scholarship.  You may include how you became interested in Biology, your present interests in Biology, and/or your future plans after you leave SSC .

4.      Reference letter (One letter of support).

5.      Research projects (Optional) – portfolios, reports; if currently involved, then progress reports.

Maney Goes Diving

Ted Maney, Matt Fregeau and Becky Vitale @ Juniper Point Beach (8/31/2012).

Cat Cove Update

Spring and summer are particularly busy times at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory. In 2011, for the first time, we produced and distributed just over 4 million juvenile clams, largely targeted for the restoration and enhancement of populations in Massachusetts (Figure 1). This year the Lab is scheduled to distribute over 4 million clams again. Most will be released in Massachusetts, but over a million of our softshell clams (Mya arenaria) have been shipped to Rhode Island and New York. Clam production and supervision of Lab activities are coordinated by our Hatchery Manager, Scott Weston. Daily maintenance, field and laboratory efforts are made possible by our summer staff: Ethan Fretsch, Devan Nichols, Jennifer Turner, Franki Vetrano-Olsen, Lauren Pudvah, and Bob Withum (Figure 2). Supplementing the efforts of these Salem State biology majors during summer 2012 were two high school students: Briana Proulx (just graduated from Essex Agricultural and Technical H.S. and enrolled this fall as a freshman at SSU) and Will White (Senior, Arlington H.S.) (Figure 3).

The Cat Cove Marine Laboratory has been home to the Northeastern Massachusetts Aquaculture Center (NEMAC) for over a decade. As such, many of our efforts focus on aquaculture; the controlled cultivation of aquatic organisms. You may consider it applied aquatic ecology. Beyond efforts with softshell clams, this summer finds us in the field working, with funding from NOAA, demonstrating the feasibility of mussel culture in the open ocean and developing guidelines for commercial operations. Dr. Mark Fregeau and Mr. Ted Maney coordinate the mussel initiative; SSU Biology major, Jenn Turner, is assisting with data acquisition and analyses. Moving from marine to fresh water, several species of fishes are maintained at the Lab. Most notably, students spawn and rear tilapia as part of class and Lab activities; the resultant young are provided as fingerlings to local schools. During the last few months, tilapia produced by students at the Lab have been provided to Salem H.S., Lynn Ford School, and Rindge and Latin School in Cambridge, MA. SSU Biology majors, Ethan Fretsch and Bob Withum, are assisting staff and students at the Ford School (K-5) as they explore and expand their aquaponics effort, using SSU spawned and reared tilapia introduced to the system in July 2012 (Figure 4). In aquaponics, both fish and terrestrial plants are grown in the same water, fish wastes are used as nutrients by plants. The soilless system is used to produce both high quality animal protein and vegetables/herbs.

While the Lab and NEMAC actively pursue meaningful research, our primary thrust and major effort is education. Student employees and interns at the Lab are involved in all aspects of operation; they gain a hands-on appreciation of hatchery management and maintenance of living organisms. They learn the value of record keeping and how to assess situations to implement corrective or preventive measures (i.e., problem solving). These and related educational opportunities have been made available to the general public through traditional courses such as Estuarine Ecology, a graduate course that targets teachers. Estuarine Ecology was team-taught this summer by Dr. Alan Young and Dr. Joe. Ten local K-12 teachers took the course and based upon experiences from the course, they generated lesson plans which will be employed in their classrooms this coming academic year. Additionally, two dozen MA teachers participated in a Coast for Every Classroom experience coordinated and funded by the National Park Service; hands-on and instructional assistance was provided by faculty and students at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory and Salem Coast Watch working collaboratively (Figure 5). Having a just graduated high school student, Briana Proulx, instruct teachers about aquatic ecology illustrates how the Lab creatively mergers talent and abilities!

Beyond traditional (and not so traditional) classroom experiences, the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory hosts tours for youth and taxpayers, generally (Figures 6,7):

            Earth Day, SSU students (n=5, 12 April 2012)

            Essex Agricultural and Technical H.S. (n=16, 23 April 2012)

            Newbury H.S. (n=36, 8 May 2012)

            Minutemen H.S., Lexington, MA (n=12, 5 June 2012)

            NOAA interns, Gloucester, MA (n=10, 13 June 2012)

            Girls Inc., Lynn, MA (n=42, 17 July 2012)

            Upward Bound, SSU (n=55, 20 July 2012)

            COSA, Northeastern University (n~20, 20 August 2012)

and special events for interested parties, such as touch tank exhibits:

            Junior Ranger Day, National Park Service, Salem, MA (21 April 2012)

Salem Maritime Festival (4 August 2012)     

Antique and Classic Boat Festival, Salem, MA (25 August 2012)

Activities and deliverables spawned at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory extend beyond the North Shore. This summer found dr. joe finalizing guidelines to identify and prevent disease in finfish and shellfish production systems as part of a collaborative project funded by the Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center. During spring break, Dr.  Joe accompanied three SSU faculty (Dr. Vicki Morrison, Nursing; Greg Carroll, Interdisciplinary Studies; Allan Shwedel, Education) and seven SSU students to Liberia as part of an exploratory visit to link with and help promote peace (Figures 8,9). Since aquaculture is the aquatic equivalent of traditional, terrestrial agriculture, a real opportunity exists to increase the availability of animal protein as a means to promote food security and sustainable peace. The SSU team is currently developing proposals to return to Liberia and initiate training activities. As with all Cat Cove initiatives, students have been and will be involved.

Other notable student/Lab successes this spring and summer:

Franki-Vetrano-Olsen and Lawrence Gleekia developed and presented posters on their Independent Studies  Avian Visitors at Smith Pool, Cat Cove Marine Laboratory, in Winter 2011-2012 and Salem State University Making a Positive Difference in Liberia, respectively (Figure 10).

Eric Navarro (Specimen Procurement in the Gulf of Maine) and Shayla Kelley (Cartilaginous Fish Identification) conducted Independent Studies at the Lab during spring semester 2012 (Figure 11)

Kudos to Franki Vetrano-Olsen, after 4 years as a student worker at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory, graduated in May 2012 (Figure 12)

Recent Publications

Botelho, M., S. Bowen, J, Buttner, H. Clark, K. Foley, D. Murphy, and J. Reitsma. 2012. Commonwealth Quality Aquaculture Standards and Score Sheet. Ma Department of Agricultural Resources, Boston, MA. 4pp.

Buttner, J.K., S. Weston, M. Fregeau, and T. Maney. 2012. Softshell Clam (Mya arenaria) Aquaculture: Slow but Steady Growth.  Journal of Shellfish Biology, 31(2):209.

Buttner, J,K. and B. Proulx. 2012. Common Fishes of Salem Sound. Salem State University and Salem Maritime Historic Site, Salem, MA. 2 pp.

Buttner, J,K. and B. Proulx. 2012. Common Invertebrates of Salem Sound. Salem State

University and Salem Maritime Historic Site, Salem, MA. 2 pp.

Proulx, B. and J.K. Buttner  2012. Common Insects of Forest River. Salem State University and Salem Maritime Historic Site Salem, MA. 2 pp.

Proulx, B. and J.K. Buttner. 2012.   Other Common Organisms of Forest River. Salem State University and Salem Maritime Historic Site, Salem, MA. 2 pp.

Figure 1. Over three dozen Massachusetts' Towns receive assistance with their aquaculture efforts from Salem State University's Cat Cove Marine Laboratory; in 2012 the Town of Tisbury on Martha's Vineyard was added to the growing list.

Figure 2. Cat Cove Crew, 2012 (from left to right: Briana Proulx, Bob Wiithum, Jenn Turner, Devan Nichols, Lauren Pudvah, Ethan Fretsch, Dr. Joe, Scott Weston; not pictured are Franki Vetrano-Olsen, Dr. Mark Fregeau and Ted Maney).

Figure 3. Will White readies tank for dogfish sharks at Gloucester Maritime Center as part of his summer experience as an intern at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory.

Figure 4. Cat Cove student workers, Bob Withum and Ethan Fretsch, monitor water quality and fish in aquaponics system at Ford School, Lynn, MA.

Figure 5. While demonstrating stream sampling techniques to two dozen K-12 teachers participating in the National Park Services' Coast for Every Classroom, dr. joe points out a native cardinal flower.

 Figure 6. Dr. Fregeau greets a youth, tour group at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory.

Figure 7. Briana Proulx captivates prospective students participating in SSU’s Upward Bound program with nuances of fish culture system.

Figure 8. Dr. Joe (rt) discusses the potential for aquaculture with Ernest Tokpah (Farm Manager, Ganta Mission).

Figure 9. Dr. Joe's first ride in a dugout canoe, just outside of Monrovia, Liberia.

Figure 10. Franki Vetrano-Olsen and Lawrence Gleekia developed and presented posters on their Independent Studies at SSU’s Undergraduate Research Symposium, May 2012.

Figure 11. Eric Navarro (lt) used skills acquired as a student in Fish Biology, taken at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory, to secure a position as a fish observer on fishing boats. Captured, small open ocean fished were retained, identified and  added to SSU’s teaching collection as part of his Independent Study.  

Figure 12.  Franki Vetrano-Olsen with Mr. Ted Maney, Dr. Mark Fregeau and Dr. Joe at graduation, 2012.

Ted Maney Goes Swimming with Whale Sharks!

Here is a YouTube link to what Ted did on his Summer vacation trip to swimming with whale sharks in Mexico!

Climate Change: Peter Alachi Interviews Professor John Hayes of Salem State University and Adam Segal of Salem, MA

Climate Change - Peter Alachi interviews Professor John Hayes of Salem State University and Adam Segal of Salem, MA.  Both serve on the Salem Green Energy Task Force.  Program was taped in April and aired on Salem Access TV (Channel 3) throughout the month of May, 2012.

Molecular Evolution Controversies Continue

This is a very interesting article, I think both sides of this controversy should not throw out the baby with the bath water.

Phylogeny: Rewriting evolution

Harold Pariser Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Cell Biology and Biochemistry
Department of Biology
Salem State University

Berkeley Steps up to the Plastic-Waste Challenge

Heard about this in an email from UC Berkeley, which says they are the 1st university to become involved as a campus. Perhaps those who are on the sustainability committee can see if SSU would want to consider this.

The first link is to the website for the Plastic DisclosureProject website and the 2nd is to an article about UC Berkeley's involvement.

Sue Case

June 24, Harbor Seal Hauled out at Halfway Rock (off Marblehead)

This harbor seal was hauled out at Halfway Rock (off Marblehead) yesterday.  There were 2 divers in the water that were able to get right up to it.  I took this shot from the boat.

Great way to spend a hot summer day.

Enjoy!

Ted

Grant Announcement: Refining and Enhancing Offshore Mussel Aquaculture in the Gulf of Maine

Grant Awarded to Mark Fregeau and Ted Maney, Co-Principal Investigators


This award of $61,000 is funded through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). Funds support the site of mussel lines in federal waters as part of an aquaculture initiative. Professors Fregeau and Maney will also investigate increasing the participation of Gloucester, Massachusetts area displaced fishing industry participants in aquaculture.

Previous "The Salem State Biologist" Issues (SU2008-SP2012)

You can read the current and past issues of The Salem State Biologist in pdf form by clicking below.

• Issue Eighteen Winter Spring 2012 [pdf]
• Issue Seventeen Summer 2011 [pdf]
• Issue Sixteen Winter/Spring 2011 [pdf]
• Issue Fifteen Fall 2010 [pdf]
• Issue Fourteen Summer 2010 [pdf]
• Issue Thirteen Winter/Spring 2010 [pdf]
• Issue Twelve: Summer/Fall 2009 2008 [pdf]
• Issue Eleven: Fall 2009 [pdf]
• Issue Nine: Summer 2008 [pdf]