Minorities in the Aquatic Sciences
Deidre M. Gibson, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher, The University of Connecticut Department of Marine Sciences, Groton, CT
doliolid@yahoo.com
Academic Preparation:
Ph.D., 2000 University of Georgia, Athens, GA., Department of Marine Sciences; B.S., 1990 University of Washington, Seattle, WA, School of Oceanography; A.A.S., 1988 Shoreline Community College, Seattle, WA, Marine Biology Technology; A.A.A.S., 1985 University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, General Science Studies
Research/Professional Interests:
Research is a very important part of my future goals. I have been fortunate enough to work with doliolids, a unique taxon of the zooplankton community responsible for rapid colonization of neritic environments, especially off the coast of Georgia. Doliolids (Tunicata, Thaliacea) have been over- looked as an important contributor to the marine food web because of the difficulty in obtaining life history information in the field and in the laboratory. In my dissertation studies, I have been able to successfully quantify, in the laboratory, the feeding and growth of the only sexual stage in the lifecycle, and reproduction rates of one of the two asexual stages at four food concentrations and temperatures found on the southeastern continental shelf.
I am initiating collaborative research ideas with Dr. G.-A. Paffenhöfer (Skidaway Institute of Oceanography) to investigate the role that gelatinous zooplankton fecal pellets play in the vertical flux of carbon, and as a possible food source to other zooplankton and bacteria in the coastal ocean; with Dr. E. Hoffman (Old Dominion University) to continue laboratory research and field studies on the various life stages of the doliolid to enhance an existing mathematical model that will increase our knowledge on how these zooplankton function in the marine environment; and with Dr. P. Kremer (University of Connecticut), to continue research on the biology of salps to determine their role in the neritic environment.
Professional Experience:
- Cultivation and quantitative analysis of Dolioletta gegenbauri
- Marine and estuarine zooplankton identification and quantitative analysis
- Copepod feeding and behavioral experiments, gut pigment, and dry weight analysis
- Marine and estuarine phytoplankton identification, and quantitative analysis
- Biochemical analysis on Bay Anchovy larvae
Professional Affiliations:
American Society of Limnology and Oceanography
Biographical and Research Summary:
My initial interest in Oceanography began when I enrolled in a scuba diving course. The introduction to all the fascinating marine life excited me, and I had to learn more. I than began to research fields that employed scuba divers. I moved from New Orleans to Seattle, and I have been a student and research technician in the Marine Science field since 1985. My first experience was as a student at Shoreline Community College in Seattle WA, in a program focusing on marine biology and oceanography technology. There I gained excellent field and laboratory skills, and received an A.A.S. in both areas. I continued my education and received a B.S. in Oceanography at the University of Washington. I was surrounded by leading scientist in Oceanography who both inspired me to continue in the field, and provided me with very good research skills.
Being in school for some time, I decided to work in the field as a research technician in a zooplankton and phytoplankton laboratory at the Louisiana University Marine Consortium. There I was able to advance my field, lab, independent research skills, and gain experience teaching students and the community about the marine environment of the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana.
Obtaining my Ph.D. in Marine Science was an obvious next step in my plan to conduct my own research and teach. Selecting the University of Georgia gave me the opportunity to work with Dr. Paffenhöfer, a Biological Oceanographer researching zooplankton ecology at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. I was able to continue to gain experience at a higher level and to fine-tune my teaching skills by being a laboratory TA in Biology, where I received the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award.
Now that I have obtained my Ph.D., my goal is to use the skills I have developed over the years to inspire other students. I have been given the opportunity to share my research and graduate student experiences with Savannah State University students and interns, and participants in the ASLO minority program. These experiences have encouraged me to contribute to the enhancement of minorities in the Marine Sciences.
Research is a very important part of my future goals. I have been fortunate enough to work with doliolids, a unique taxon of the zooplankton community responsible for rapid colonization of neritic environments, especially off the coast of Georgia. Doliolids (Tunicata, Thaliacea) have been over- looked as an important contributor to the marine food web because of the difficulty in obtaining life history information in the field and in the laboratory. In my dissertation studies, I have been able to successfully quantify, in the laboratory, the feeding and growth of the only sexual stage in the lifecycle, and reproduction rates of one of the two asexual stages at four food concentrations and temperatures found on the southeastern continental shelf. I plan to continue laboratory research and field studies on the various life stages of the doliolid to enhance an existing mathematical model that will increase our knowledge on how these zooplankton functions in the marine en! vironme nt.
I would ultimately combine research and teaching in a way to have my future students involved in all aspects of research so that they are able to gain as much field and laboratory experience as possible. The advice and experiences I have received from helpful scientists throughout my career have inspired me to do the same for young aspiring marine science students. As a faculty member, I hope to achieve a level of excellence in both teaching and research.
I have spent many years in the Marine Science field, and I still have more to learn and experience. When I started out in this field, I was always the only African-American in my class or working in the lab. There were very few internship opportunities for minorities. I would advise interested students to take advantage of all of the REU and internship programs available. Since this field is still growing, the scientist you meet and work with will become future mentors, employers, and graduate advisors. Make as many contacts as you can, and have fun!