Principal Investigators Dr. Steve Ross, Liz Baird, Dr. Cheryl Morrison, and Dr. Martha Nizinski represent four different agencies from three states. The team also includes additional researchers, technicians, and educators. Inter-agency collaborations not only make the best use of the time at sea, they also foster fertile discussions leading to future research.

Meet some of the people involved in Life on the Edge 2005.

Steve W. Ross, PhD
Associate Research Faculty
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wimington, NC
Lead Principal Investigator

Dr. Ross is a native of North Carolina and has spent most of his career involved in marine science. He earned a BS degree in zoology from Duke University, a Master’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, and a PhD from North Carolina State University. He was the Research Coordinator for the NC Coastal Reserve Program for 13 years. He is currently a research faculty at UNC-W and is also on an appointment to the US Geological Survey. He holds adjunct faculty appointments at NCSU and UNC-Wilmington. His area of specialization is ichthyology (fishes), particularly in areas of ecology and life history studies (age, growth, feeding, reproduction). He has conducted numerous, diverse projects in estuaries and offshore waters and has served as chief scientist on many cruises, including several using submersibles. The current work of Dr. Ross and his team involves assessment of the fish communities of several unique deep water habitats off the southeastern US. In particular, they are looking at energy flow (trophodynamics) and relationships of animals to various habitats, including coral banks, canyon systems, and rocky areas. One ultimate goal of such studies is to provide information for these poorly known areas that will facilitate management and protection of productive habitats.

Elizabeth Baird
Director of School Programs
North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences
Raleigh, NC
Co-Principal Investigator

As director of school programs at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Liz Baird is accustomed to sharing science information with students and teachers across the state and around the world. During the first half of the Life on the Edge 2005 mission, she will share research activities with the public via satellite transmissions from the ship. She will work closely with researchers and the ship's crew to answer questions sent from students, and will assist the research team wherever she's needed. She will also assist Art Howard with the development of a High Definition program highlighting deep-sea research. Ms. Baird's work with the Museum includes supervising staff, delivering classes and programs for students and teachers at the Museum and via videoconferencing , and leading teacher workshops in North Carolina, Maine, and Belize. She has a BS in biology from Salem College and a MS in science education from North Carolina State University.

Cheryl Morrison, PhD
Fisheries Biologist
USGS-BRD, Leetown Science Center, Aquatic Ecology Branch
Kearneysville, WV
Co-Principal Investigator

Cheryl Morrison is a biologist for the USGS-Biological Resources Division, Leetown Science Center. She works in a conservation genetics lab that aims to develop and use genetic techniques to determine population structure and management units for species of concern. Dr. Morrison earned a BS in marine biology at University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and her PhD in biology at Florida State University. Dr. Morrison’s research interests can be broadly classified as molecular ecology—the use of molecular tools to understand the distributions of species and populations, and how this is influenced by their environments, behavior, and interactions with other organisms. Her research has involved the study of evolutionary relationships among such diverse organisms as tropical coral reef-dwelling snapping shrimps, hermit crabs, stream fishes, and orchids. Dr. Morrison uses molecular tools to study deep-sea coral biodiversity and population genetics. On the cruise, she will assist with sampling and data collection, including submersible operations, and will oversee the preservation of coral and invertebrate tissue for DNA studies. Morrison enjoys running, kayaking, SCUBA diving, and spending time with friends and family, especially her boyfriend and her dog.

Martha S. Nizinski, PhD
Zoologist
NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service National Systematics Laboratory
Washington, DC
Co-Principal Investigator

Martha Nizinski is a zoologist for NOAA/NMFS National Systematics Laboratory, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC. Dr. Nizinski earned a BS in biology at West Virginia Wesleyan College, a MS in zoology at University of Maryland, and a PhD in marine science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary. She has been employed by the Systematics Laboratory since 1987, first as a technician, then as a zoologist. After completion of her doctoral degree in 1998, Dr. Nizinski began her research program studying the biodiversity, biogeography, taxonomy, and systematics of marine invertebrates, particularly decapod crustaceans. Her current research interests include biodiversity, biogeography, and community structure of decapod crustaceans, biodiversity and community structure of invertebrate fauna associated with deep-water coral reefs, impact of spiny lobster predation on their molluscan prey assemblage, and biodiversity of shallow-water gastropod and bivalve molluscs in Florida Bay. Dr. Nizinski is the invertebrate specialist of the research team. She will participate in submersible operations and data collection and will oversee all invertebrate collections.

Doni Angell
Science & Social Studies Teacher
Walter Johnson Middle School
Morganton , NC
Educator at Sea

In her second year as a seventh grade teacher, Doni is enjoying the new curricula as well as the new age group. Prior to moving to middle school seven years ago as an eighth grade teacher, Doni taught environmental education to K–6 students as well as to adult educators. She earned a BS in agricultural education from North Carolina State University, and a MA in middle school education with a science concentration from Appalachian State University. She is a NC Museum of Natural Sciences Educator of Excellence, having participated in the New England Coastal Ecology Institute and the Tropical Ecology Institute. This is her second trip with the Life on the Edge researchers, having served as the Educator at Sea for the 2003 mission.

Tara L. Casazza
Research Associate and Graduate Student
Center for Marine Science
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Night Watch Chief

Tara Casazza is a research associate and graduate student enrolled in the marine science program at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where she also earned a BS degree in marine biology. Casazza started working for Dr. Ross as a summer intern in 2000. Her master’s project consists of comparing open ocean surface fish communities in two habitats: Sargassum versus open water, and determining trophic relationships between fishes collected in these two habitats. Her current research interests also include biology of flyingfishes and distribution and abundance of eel larvae off North Carolina. During the mission, Casazza is chief of the night watch. She will also assist with gear management, data collection, including submersible operations, and fish identifications.

Reneé Green
Third Grade Teacher
Level Cross Elementary
Randleman, NC
Educator at Sea

Reneé Green has been an educator for over 21 years, having taught GED courses, as well as second, third, and fifth grades. She became an Educator of Excellence through her 2001 Tropical Ecology Institute field experience with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. At the state level, Green is a representative for the NC Teaching Fellows selection process. Green earned an AS in early childhood education from Wingate University, and a BA in elementary education from Pfeiffer University. Green achieved National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist. She enjoys camping, hiking, and traveling with her family.

Art Howard
Producer/Director of Photography
ARTWORK, INC.
Raleigh, NC
Photographer

For 22 years, Emmy award winning photographer and producer Art Howard has helped viewers experience life through images from the Middle East to the Galapagos Islands. As a native North Carolinian this adventure will be closer to home. He will follow the researchers aboard the Seward Johnson documenting the excitement and challenges of offshore reef exploration. Art will use the latest High Definition video equipment, to bring viewers as close as possible to life at sea from the surface to depths of 3000 feet, capturing both the scientists and the life they seek to understand.

This project is part of a permanent HD theater experience at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. This will be Howard's fourth year of ocean exploration as the Museum continues its mission of helping everyone understand our planet below the ocean's surface.

Barb Lupinski
Biologist
USGS-BRD, Leetown Science Center
Kearneysville, WV
Research Technician

Barb Lubinski is a biologist working for the USGS-Biological Resources Division, Leetown Science Center Aquatic Ecology Branch. Barb earned a BS in biology at Bowling Green State University, and an MS in biology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She has worked at the Leetown Science Center since 1995 and specializes in using molecular genetic techniques to study the genetic structure, population biology, ecology, and evolution of natural populations of Atlantic salmon and other organisms. Barb will assist with genetic sampling and data collection, and other activities as needed. This will be her first cruise experience.

Jennifer McClain
Undergraduate Student
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Research Technician

Jennifer McClain is an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She will graduate in May 2006 with a BS in marine biology and a minor in chemistry. Jennifer has been a volunteer in Dr. Steve Ross’ lab since January 2003, creating final museum labels, sorting plankton samples for fish larvae and leptocephali, measuring specimens, and analyzing videos. She also completed a directed independent study under Dr. Ross in the spring of 2005 on the ecology of Eumunida picta, a species of galatheid crab. Jennifer is fascinated by the deep sea and hopes to continue research in this field. She plans to attend graduate school in the fall of 2006. Her responsibilities on this cruise include: isotope work-up, videotape copying, sonar surveys, and night lighting.

M.T. Palmer
Coordinator of Student Outreach and Distance Learning
North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences
Raleigh, NC
Educator at Sea

M.T. Palmer has proudly worked as an educator for the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences for 8 years. Palmer served as the Classroom Programming Specialist providing natural science programs for K—5th grade and has worked closely with volunteers to guarantee the high quality of the programs. In the summer of 2004, Palmer led the Museum's Dinosaur Ecology Institute in Alberta, Canada. As of September 2005, Palmer began her new role as Coordinator of Student Outreach and Distance Learning. From the Museum, Palmer uses interactive videoconferencing technology to provide real-time audio/video classes for students and teachers across the state. During the second half of the Life on the Edge 2005 mission, she will share the research activities of with the public via transmissions from the ship. Palmer earned a BS in environmental education and environmental journalism from Huxley College of Environmental Studies at Western Washington University in Washington state. She enjoys playing with her 4-year-old daughter, reading, visiting art galleries, running, and napping in the hammock.

Melissa L. Partyka
Ecologist, GIS-Specialist
Center for Marine Science
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Research Technician

Melissa Partyka is a recent addition to Steve Ross’ research team having just moved to the North Carolina coast at the end of July 2005. Her position at UNCW entails the classification and mapping of deep-sea habitats as well as data management for previous and current expeditions. She completed her undergraduate degree in marine biology at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL and her MS degree in fisheries ecology at the University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to beginning her master’s degree she worked as a research assistant and laboratory manager for the Bimini Biological Field Station, Bimini, Bahamas, where she participated in numerous studies of the local shark populations. Her current research interests include the spatial relationships of fragmented marine habitats, species assemblages and community interactions in fragmented/altered habitats, the impact of fisheries activity on local populations, and the status of coastal elasmobranch fisheries. After completing her work at UNCW she intends to pursue her doctoral degree in fisheries management. Melissa will be acting as data-manager, GIS-specialist, and general support technician for this expedition.

Andrea M. Quattrini
Fisheries Research Technician
Center for Marine Science
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Data Manager

Andrea Quattrini is a fisheries research technician with the Center for Marine Science at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She holds a BS in biology from Millersville University in Pennsylvania. In 2002, Andrea completed her MS in marine biology at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where she investigated the distribution of larval fishes among water masses off North Carolina. Her current research interests include the ecology and life histories of shelf-edge and deep coral bank fishes. Andrea is also currently assisting efforts to map deep coral habitats off the southeastern United States. Andrea has worked with Dr. Steve Ross since 2002 and has participated in several offshore cruises with the current research team. On the 2005 research mission, she will be responsible for overall data management, specimen collection, and submersible support.

J. Murray Roberts, PhD
Marine Biologist
Scottish Association for Marine Science
Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory
Oban, Argyll, UK
Marine Biologist

Murray Roberts is a marine biologist working on the biology, ecology, and conservation of cold-water corals. Following a PhD on the symbiosis between sea anemones and zooxanthellae, he began working in the Deep-Sea Biology Group at SAMS in 1997. Since then he has worked with industrial and academic partners including s everal pan-European projects. He currently leads a team working on complimentary aspects of cold-water coral ecology. Murray has taken part in 13 offshore research cruises, but this is his first American cruise as well as his first opportunity to work with a manned research submersible.

Colleen C. Young
Biologist
USGS, Leetown Science Center
Kearneysville, WV
Research Technician

Colleen Young is a biologist at the Leetown Science Center in Kearneysville, WV. She earned a BS in biology at Ursinus College and a MS in marine biology and biochemistry from the University of Delaware, College of Marine Studies. Young’s previous research projects include studying population genetics of several different species, including horseshoe crabs, diamondback terrapins, brook trout, and black bears.

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