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Dr.
Peter Betzer
USF DMS Chairman (1983-present) Lawrence University:
B.A. Geology
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| Peter has participated in numerous oceanographic expeditions in the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the North Pacific Ocean. His current research interests include defining the involvement of particulate materials in geochemical cycles; understanding the specific ways that various organisms are involved in the creation, modification and transfer of particulate material in the ocean; using chemical and mineralogical signatures to specify the sources for and movement of particulate matter in the oceans; specifying the influence of atmospherically-derived and river-borne particulates on primary production in the open ocean; applying new analytical systems to the ocean realm such as a holographically-equipped sediment trap and a computer-assisted scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray detectors. Peter has received a host of professional awards and honors throughout his distinguished career. He was most recently appointed as a member of the Scientific Steering Committee for Autosub Science Missions by the Natural Environment Research Council (Britain). | |
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Kristen Kusek
Scientific Writer / Editor Bucknell University: B.A. Biology/English
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| Kristen completed two master's degrees in May 1998 and
is now a scientific writer for the department. For her thesis, soon
to be published, she examined Florida red tides (Gymnodinium breve)
from a scientific and public information perspective. She was awarded
the Getting and Garrels departmental fellowships and the Florida Sea Grant
Aylesworth Fellowship, and also worked at the Department of Environmental
Protection to help fund her graduate school career. Her current responsibilities
are largely devoted to the Making Waves project, which grew out of a graduate-level
science writing course she taught with Dr. Betzer in the spring 1998 semester.
"I've always been fascinated by science and I've always loved a good story. I've been clinging to those two passions ever since childhood when I spent my summers on the Jersey shore collecting shells, riding in the waves, thinking about what was behind the horizon, and writing stories about what I thought. One thing I've learned throughout my formal education is that there are loads of good stories about science that simply aren't told, or aren't told well and/or accurately in the public arena. That's something I'd like to change. The problem of science literacy is not a new one, and I think a good place to start working on it is in middle schools - children have an innate curiosity about the natural world that needs to be encouraged and developed, and I can't think of a better place to do it than at the beach or under the water." |
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Teresa Greely
Educational Outreach Coordinator New College: B.S. Natural Sciences; USF: M.S. Biological Oceanography |
| Teresa manages one of USF's marine science outreach programs
called the Oceanography Camp for Girls. She also developed and teaches
a graduate course for secondary science teachers entitled "Experiential
Learning in Oceanography." She works closely with 6 area school
districts to provide science activities and teacher workshops. Teresa
is a mentor to undergraduate and graduate students; she facilitates mentoring
and research projects between precollege/college students, the department,
and industry; and has developed a host of science series for USF's distance-learning
outreach program called Project Oceanography.
"As a trained research scientist, I am privileged to directly impact and hopefully inspire precollege students to consider a rewarding career in science ... I love science and I love working with kids and teachers. My greatest reward is to see a student's confidence grow as they pursue and complete a task once thought beyond their reach. ... To mentor and provide direction in the lives of others is truly a privilege and a mission I will continue to pursue throughout life as my own experiences grow." |
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Nancy Doolittle
Webmaster USF: B.S. Secondary Mathematics Education; SPJC: Webmaster Certificate |
| Prior to her current postition as the Coodinator for Academic
Support Services for the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at
the University of Florida's Cooperative Extension Service in Pinellas County,
Florida, Nancy spent 6 years teaching math and science at Madeira Beach
Middle School. It was during this time that she began her association with
the marine science outreach programs at USF. Via her position as mentor
and activity writer for the Oceanography Camp for Girls, Nancy was introduced
to Kristen Kusek and ultimately invited to come on board the "Making Waves"
project as both curriculum writer and webmaster.
"From the moment I first set foot on the World Wide Web I knew that it was going to have an enormous impact on my life. I was so impressed with the wealth of information and creativity on the internet and it was apparent, even at first glance, that this was going to be one of the greatest educational tools ever created. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have a job that has such a positive impact on so many people while being so much fun for me." |
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Linae Boehme
Network Administrator University of Miami: B.S. Biology
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