Prof. E. Alan Verde
Professor, Maine Maritime Academy
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. 1993 Florida Institute of Technology Biological Sciences
M.S. 1987 Walla Walla University Biological Sciences
B.S. 1984 Walla Walla University Biological Sciences
Licenses/Certifications:
1979 YMCA SCUBA Diver
1982 NAUI Advanced Open Water Diver
1995 Scientific Diver (AAUS Protocols at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)
2005 PADI Nitrox Diver
2005 Scientific Diver (AAUS Protocols at Western Washington University)
2009 PADI Rescue Diver
2009 PADI Dive Master
2012 DAN Pro Instructor for:
CPR: Health Care Provider
Basic Life Support: CPR and First Aid
Diving First Aid for Professional Divers
Diving Emergency Management Provider
Emergency Oxygen for Scuba Diving Injuries
First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries
On-Site Neurological Assessment for Divers
2013 PADI Open Water SCUBA Instructor
2016 PADI Sidemount Diver
2016 TDI-AUP Open Circuit Equipment Service Technician
AREAS OF COMPETENCY IN TEACHING:
Biological Statistics Invertebrate Zoology
Marine Ecology Coral Reef Biology
Marine Biology Plant Physiology
Cellular Biology Cellular Physiology
Physiological Ecology Animal Physiology
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Maine Maritime Academy (2004-Present): Professor of Marine Biology
Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory (1999): Visiting Assistant Professor of Marine Ecology
Florida Institute of Technology (1988-1995): Visiting Assistant Professor, Marine Ecology & Invertebrate Zoology
Other Teaching Experience:
Marine Biology and Marine Science for K-12 at The Living Seas, Walt Disney World Company, FL.
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography for Melbourne and Palm Bay, FL, Elementary Schools.
Marine Biology and Marine Science for elementary students at Holland Christian School, Holland, MI.
Invited Speaker for OR and WA High School Career Day Programs (Careers in Marine Biology).
Interpretive Marine Intertidal Lectures for the Washington State Parks and Recreation.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
Ongoing Research Co-Investigator: In collaboration with Drs. Ann Cleveland and Ray Lee, we investigate the uptake and transfer of 13C and 15N stable isotopes between the intracellular algae (Symbiodinium sp.), anemone Heteractis crispa, and its clownfish Amphiprion clarkii and A. perideraion. Complimentary experiments in both laboratory and field conditions are conducted at the Silliman University Marine Laboratory, Dumaguete, Philippines.
Ongoing Research Co-Investigator: In collaboration with Dr. James Nestler, we investigate the diel patterns of behavior, migration, and metabolic rates, and both nitrogen and phosphorus cycling of both tropical (Pearsonothuria graeffei and Holothuria edulis) and temperate (Parastichopus californicus) sea cucumbers, as a function of environmental temperature. Tropical studies occur at the Silliman University Marine Laboratory, Dumaguete, Philippines whereas temperate studies occur at the Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory, Anacortes, WA.
Ongoing Research Co-Investigator: In collaboration with Drs. Kirt Onthank and Lloyd Trueblood, we investigate various aspects of the biology, ecology, and metabolic physiology of the red octopus, Octopus rubescens, as a function of lowered pH conditions and reduced oxygen availability at the Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory, Anacortes, WA.
1998-2004 Postdoctoral Research Associate: Utilized molecular methods to elucidate the communicative interactions between the algal symbionts (zooxanthellae and zoochlorellae) and host anemone, Anthopleura elegantissima, both in the adult and larval stages. In addition, the effects of various heavy metals, at the ecological and cellular levels of interaction, on the symbiosis of A. elegantissima and the tropical coral, Pocillopora damicornis, were also investigated. Both field and laboratory studies were conducted at the Hatfield Marine Science Center (Oregon State University) and at the Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory (Walla Walla University), WA.