Contact information Office 526, Shoemaker Hall University of Mississippi University, MS 38677 cejohnso@olemiss.edu

Current Research In nutrient poor tropical waters, corals depend on symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) for food. This relationship may be disrupted by elevated temperatures in a process known as bleaching, in which the algae are expelled from their host. This loss of a food source may reduce fitness, and the availability of other foods such as plankton may mitigate nutritional stress. I am exploring the role of heterotrophy during recovery from hyperthermic bleaching using Aiptasia pallida, a sea anemone containing symbiotic dinoflagellates.   Zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium sp.) are microscopic single-celled plants (dinoflagelates) that live within the tissues of many different animals such as giant clams, worms, corals, and anemones.

Normal Aiptasia pallida with brown symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) in its tissue.

Bleached (aposymbiotic)  Aiptasia pallida

Interests
The role of parasites and symbiosis in evolutionary processes, reproductive biology, Cnidarian ecology, tropical coral reef conservation and restoration.

Proposed Research
An investigation of the role of heterotrophy in hyperthermic bleaching events of Scleractinian corals. The development of fast, accurate, simple, and cheap techniques that will compliment sea-surface temperature data for in-situ bleaching risk assessment.

Education
12-2001 B.S. Biology (emphasis Marine Biology), University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, AK

Research and Presentations

• 'The adaptive bleaching hypothesis and landscape ecology of Scleractinian endosymbionts: A synthesis of existing data.'
• 'Parasite and hyperparasite induced behavioral changes in intertidal hermitcrab Pagurus hirsutiusculus.'
• 'Temperature and rates of development in Salmonid embryos.'
• 'Effects of day length on feeding behavior and growth of Salmonid smolts.'
• 'Comparative Endocrinology: effects of vertebrate somatostatin, thyroxin, gonadal release hormone, and growth factors on sea urchin larvae Stronglocentrotus drobachiensis.’
• ‘Physiology of transparent organisms and the optical arms race.’
• ‘Female choice and reproductive success.’
• ‘A history of deforestation and civilization.’
• ‘Distribution and abundance of epibenthic invertebrates in eel grass beds of South Bridget Cove, AK.’

Certifications

• PADI recreational SCUBA, 1995
• CITI's Research Assistant
  

Awards

• 2005 Sigma Xi Grant-in-aid of Research
• 2005 University of Mississippi's Graduate Student Council Research Grant
• 1997-2001; Bullwinkle’s Employee Tuition Reimbursement.
• 1997; Service Excellence Nomination, Norwest Mortgage.
• 1992-1995; Prudential Employee Tuition Reimbursement.

Professional Experience

• Current; Teaching assistant, University of Mississippi, biology lab (non-majors)
• 2004; R&D Systems Inc., MN, molecular biology quality control (antibody purity, cross-reactivity, and detection sensitivity)
• 2003; Aerotek Scientific, MN, (temporary positions), microbiology and synthesis of in-vitro diagnostic compounds.
• 2002; Private English Tutor, Graz, Austria