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BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY
OCEAN ENGINEERING
COE STAFF
BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
 Herbert Weissbach, Ph.D.
Oxidative damage caused by production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells has been implicated in a large number of
diseases, including age related neurodegenerative diseases. ROS can damage macromolecules such as nucleic acids, lipids
and proteins. In proteins methionine (met) is readily oxidized to methionine sulfoxide (met(o)). The main focus of our
research concerns the role of the methionine sulfoxide reductase system (Msr) in protecting cells against oxidative damage.
There are at least 6 members of the Msr family that can reduce met(o), either free or in peptide linkage, back to met. Thus
far one of the enzymes, MsrA has been studied in most detail. MsrA knock outs make organisms more sensitive to oxidative
stress and transgenic experiments in Drosophila have shown that over expression of MsrA in neurons can extend the life
expectancy by 70%. Other results support the concept that the Msr system is important in preventing neuronal death due
to oxidative damage. Our goal is to develop new drugs that will act as catalytic anti-oxidants by being substrates for the
Msr system, or to find ways to increase the levels of MsrA and other members of the Msr family in cells. Hopefully these
studies will lead to new therapies for neurodegenerative and other diseases that involve oxidative damage.
Contact Information:
Herbert Weissbach, Ph.D. - Distinguished Research Professor and Director
Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: 561-297-2596, Fax: 561-297-2594
hweissba@fau.edu
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Jang Yen Wu, Ph.D.
Dr. Wu's research will focus on the development of neuroprotective agents/drugs from natural products including marine samples
and drugs identified through genomics and proteomics screenings for therapeutic applications in neurological diseases.
Contact Information:
Jang Yen Wu, Ph.D. - Charles E. Schmidt Senior Fellow and Professor
Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: 561-297-0167, Fax: 561-297-0174
Email: jwu@fau.edu
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 Salvatore D. Lepore, Ph.D.
The focus of the Lepore research program is the development of useful synthetic organic methods and their application to the synthesis of therapeutically important compounds. Our efforts are concentrated in two areas:
a) The total synthesis of complex natural products and related analogs for structure activity relationship studies: The molecular targets we choose to pursue in these synthetic studies are expected to deepen our understanding of the biological process in which they intervene.
b) The development of expedited synthesis techniques to facilitate
small-molecule library production: In this aspect of our research, we look at ways to simplify the process of making molecules by developing a variety of new methods both on polymer support and in solution.
Contact Information:
Salvatore D. Lepore, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: (561) 297-0330, Fax: (561) 297-2759
Email: slepore@fau.edu Website:http://wise.fau.edu/~slepore/
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 Ramaswamy Narayanan, Ph.D.
Dr. Narayanan, in collaboration with Dr. Garry Perry will focus on molecular approaches to cancer control with emphasis on solid tumors.
The technology in the laboratory utilizes bioinformatics to harness the human genome, antisense/siRNA technology to establish drug therapy use,
and use of Microarray technology to develop molecular fingerprint and functional pathways.
Contact Information:
Dr. Ramaswamy Narayanan - Professor / Chair of Graduate Program
Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: 561 297 2018, Fax: 561 297 2099
Email: rnarayanan@fau.edu
Website:http://www.fau.edu/divdept/biology/people/ram.htm
Website:http://www.science.fau.edu/genechip/index.html
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Xupei Huang, M.D., Ph.D.
As a part of the Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics group, Dr. Huang's research is mainly focused on cardiovascular physiology,
in particular, functional genomic studies in cardiovascular system and molecular cardiology. By using cellular and molecular biology techniques
and transgenic animals, we explore the mechanisms underlying cardiomyopathies and other cardiovascular diseases. The research will provide clues
for drug searching and the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Contact Information:
Dr. Xupei Huang - Assistant Professor
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: 561-297-2443, Fax: 561-297-2221
Email: xhuang@fau.edu
Website:http://www.science.fau.edu/biomed/huang.htm
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David Binninger, Ph.D.
Accumulation of oxidative damage within cells plays an important role in both the aging process and some aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases,
such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's and some forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Cells become progressively dysfunctional over
time as they accumulate oxidative damage to major macromolecules. The diminished capacity of individual cells leads to organ failure and ultimately
death of the individual. Several lines of evidence indicate that reducing oxidative stress can prolong lifespan. Daily supplements of antioxidants
(such as vitamin E, beta-carotene, etc.) are taken by millions of people with the intent of slowing the accumulation of oxidative damage. However,
conventional antioxidants are limited in their potential effectiveness because each molecule can only be oxidized once. The focus of this project
is to develop an antioxidant that can function catalytically. The approach is to develop an antioxidant that is a substrate for a naturally occurring
enzyme called methionine sulfoxide reductase (MsrA). Once oxidized, the antioxidant would be reduced by MsrA, thus making it available for repeated
rounds of oxidation. This type of catalytically - active antioxidant should be more effective at a significantly lower concentration than the compounds
currently being used as antioxidant supplements for humans.
Contact Information:
Dr. David Binninger - Associate Professor of Molecular Genetics / Associate Chair of Biological Sciences
Member of Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: 561-297-3323
Email: binninge@fau.edu
Website:http://www.fau.edu/biology/people/dmbinnin.htm
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Gregg B. Fields, Ph.D.
Our laboratory, in collaboration with Dr. Frank Marí, is synthesizing and characterizing novel components from the venom of
Conus species, which elicit a wide range of neurophysiological responses and show great potential as therapeutic agents. We have also
developed high throughput screening assays for tumor cell viability and enzymes implicated in cancer and arthritis; these will be used to
examine activities of novel marine compounds.
Contact Information:
Dr. Gregg B. Fields - Professor and Chair
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: 561-297-2093, Fax: 561-297-2759
Email: fieldsg@fau.edu
Website:http://www.science.fau.edu/chemistry/fields.html
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Hanqi Zhuang, Ph.D.
There is a potentially significant market for biometrics, which involves the use of a person's unique biological characteristics such as face,
iris, or voice for personal identification. Advantages of biometrics are evident with the advent of security issues related to personal, corporate,
and government assets. Further, increased use of PDA, cyber crime considerations, etc. requires security against identity theft. We believe that it
is possible and advantageous to extract facial and voice features using such multimodal schemes and use them for identification and authentication.
In this research, we use different facial and voice features to improve the reliability of biometric systems.
Contact information:
Dr. Hanqi Zhuang, Professor, Electrical Engineering
Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Tel: (561) 297-3410, or 3412, Fax: (561) 297-2336
Email: zhuang@fau.edu
Website:http://www.ee.fau.edu/faculty/zhuang.htm
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P.S. Neelakanta, Ph.D.
Dr. Neelakanta's research focuses on three areas: Biometric data analysis and secured transmission of data on wireline/wireless Links;
information theoretic-based bioinformatics algorithms; and DNA chips: underlying considerations and application profiles.
The biometric details (such as thumb impression, facial features, signature etc.) of an individual can be fused into an RF tag
(a smart card that the individual may carry) for access/authentication in secured areas. Conversion of biometric data into binary
format and making an impression of its pattern on an ID (active/smart)-tag could lead to a viable biometric RFID implementation.
However, the data accessed from the tag and relevant FFI (friend-foe identification) details should be exchanged between hosts/server
without any security compromise. Further semantic details of such information should not be corrupted. In other words, the communications
system deployed in such applications should be robust, reliable as well as immune to eavesdropping. The susceptibility of wireline or
RF links in such efforts need special design efforts to meet the needs as above. For example, if Bluetooth is adopted, its links may
face RFI/EMI emanations from non-communication appliances (such as microwave ovens, garage door openers) as well as from other ISM band
indoor transmissions (like WLAN, Wi-Fi and ZigBee)resulting in bit-errors. Improving the robustness of such transmissions, therefore calls
for diversity techniques improvised on RF links and is highly desirable in achieving fool-proof/robust transmission of biometric data.
Mitigating data corruption and insecurity on wireline systems (if deployed in such circumstances) also needs focused efforts on the
associated open-questions.
Information Theoretic - Based Bioinformatics Algorithms. The biometric information in a sensor would often correspond to fuzzy details
and extracting the true subject-ID thereof calls for an analysis that segregates the overlapping details. Hence, information-theoretic
considerations can be applied to such fuzzy data developing necessary algorithms of deducing statistical divergence between overlapping
or "diffused" sensor data for robust recognition of the subject features, such as facial, voice or thumbprints.
DNA Chips: Underlying Considerations and Application Profiles. DNA chip or biochip refers to a state-of-the-art technology.
It sequences unknown genes useful in gene expression studies. The underlying concept of the DNA chip is, in essence, a parallel processing
strategy that can be used for optimization problems and evaluating a set of rules in a knowledge-based system. The research under
consideration will involve developing "DNA-sequence algorithms" akin to genetic algorithms. Information-theoretic aspects of bioinformatics
vis-a-vis DNA sequences will be profusely used.
Contact Information:
Dr. P.S. Neelakanta - Professor, Electrical Engineering
Biometrics and Bioinformatics, Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Tel: (561) 297-3410, or 3412, Fax: (561) 297-2336
Email: neelakan@fau.edu
Website:http://www.ee.fau.edu/faculty/neelakanta.htm
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Salvatore D. Morgera, Ph.D.
Genomics is a highly cross-disciplinary field that creates paradigm shifts in such diverse areas as medicine and agriculture. Genomic
information is digital in a very real sense; it is represented in the form of sequences of which each element can be one out of a finite
number of entities. Such sequences, like DNA and proteins, have been mathematically represented by character strings, in which each character
is a letter of an alphabet. In the case of DNA, the alphabet is size 4 and consists of the letters A, T, C, and G; in the case of proteins,
the size of the corresponding alphabet is 20. Biomolecular sequence analysis has already been a major research topic among computer scientists,
physicists, and mathematicians. The main reason that the field of signal processing does not yet have significant impact in the field is because
it deals with numerical sequences rather than character strings. However, if we cleverly map a character string into one or more numerical
sequences, then digital signal processing (DSP) provides a set of useful tools for solving highly relevant problems related to genomics and
drug discovery. For example, we are developing novel, computationally efficient methods for the prediction of important features such as the
location and properties of protein coding regions in DNA.
Contact Information:
Dr. Salvatore Morgera - Professor / Chair
Genomic Signal Processing, Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Phone: (561) 297-3410, or 3412, Fax: (561) 297-2336
Email: smorgera@fau.edu
Website:http://www.ee.fau.edu/faculty/morgera.htm
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Howard M. Prentice, Ph.D.
Dr. Prentice along with Dr. Peter Lutz will be focusing on research involving Hypoxia, Oxidative Damage and Aging. Oxidative modification
of proteins on methionines is of central importance in the aging process. In order to investigate molecular mechanisms that protect tissues
from reactive oxygen species, and protein oxidation on methionines in particular, we are employing the turtle brain as a model system that can
tolerate exceptionally high free radical levels when it is re-oxygenated after periods of anoxia.
Contact Information:
Dr. Howard M. Prentice - Associate Professor
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: 561-297-0362, Fax: 561-297-2221
Email: hprentic@fau.edu
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Gary W. Perry, Ph.D.
Dr. Perry, in collaboration with Dr. Ramaswamy Narayanan will focus on molecular approaches to cancer control with emphasis on solid tumors.
The technology in the laboratory utilizes bioinformatics to harness the human genome, antisense/siRNA technology to establish drug therapy use,
and use of Microarray technology to develop molecular fingerprint and functional pathways.
Contact Information:
Dr. Gary W. Perry - Professor of Neuroscience - Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
Director of Graduate Programs and Operations - Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: 561-297-2247 Email: perryg@fau.edu
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Appu Rathinavelu, Ph.D.
Dr. Rathinavelu will be focusing on the Identification and validation of intracellular targets for cancer treatment. Identification
and systematic validation of intracelluar targets are necessary for developing new drugs for cancer treatment. Targets used for cancer
treatment are many, and most of the recently identified targets are generally components of intracellular pathway that regulate cancer
cell growth. VEGF is one of the most important regulatory factors that control cancer cell growth and metastasis via promoting tumor
angiogenesis. The level of VEGF expression as well as the extent of neoangiogenesis are closely related to the relapse and poor prognosis
of several cancers. Numerous studies so far have implicated the mutation of p53, a tumor suppressor gene, as a primary event in the regulation
of VEGF production and consequent angiognesis. Some of the preliminary studies conducted in our laboratory have shown evidence that an oncogene
product called MDM2 might also impact VEGF expression. Therefore, use of mdm2 antisense oligonucleotide treatment for blocking
VEGF expression would be a novel approach for controling cancer growth. Our research will focus on determining the expression of various
genes that might impact the transcriptional regulation of VEGF expression, using focussed microarray analysis. Also, research on the possible
use of various antisense oligonucleotide treatments on mdm2 altered cell cycle control will be conducted to identify useful antisense
oligonucleotide drug candidates. Various experiments in this project are expected to help in identifying an effective drug that could be used
to control tumor angiogensis via blocking the expression of VEGF. In addition, the research project would attempt to conduct antisense VEGF
transfection experiments that can lead to the development of gene therapy approaches for treating aggressive cancers that express VEGF protein
in high levels. Furthermore, the experiments included in this project would enable the screening of candidate compounds that are identified
by other groups, to determine the anticancer mechanisms.
Contact Information:
Appu Rathinavelu, Ph.D. - Associate Professor / Chairman
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences - College of Pharmacy
Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33328
Phone: 954-262-1382 Email: appu@nova.edu
MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY
Kathleen Rein
Dr. Rein will focus on the Generation of new clonal cultures of marine algae from Florida by flow sorting. Isolation of novel
secondary metabolites from marine algae. identification of novel biosynthetic capability from marine algae.
Contact Information:
Kathleen Rein - Department of Chemistry
Florida International University
Email: reink@fiu.edu
--------------------------------------------------------
 Russell G. Kerr, Ph.D.
Research at the Kerr Lab is in the area of marine natural products / marine biotechnology. We are interested in the biosynthesis of
bioactive marine metabolites (pathway elucidation, enzymology and molecular biology) with the goal of developing sustainable production methods
of such compounds. We are also interested in defining the cellular origin and identifying the ecological role of these agents. Cell culture of
symbiotic zooxanthellae is being evaluated as a tool for natural product production. Additional projects aim to identify novel therapeutic
agents from marine sources.
Contact Information:
Russell Kerr - Professor - Department of Chemistry / Biochemistry
Director, Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: 561 297-3356, Fax: 561 297-2759
Email: rkerr@fau.edu
Website:http://www.science.fau.edu/chemistry/kerr.htm
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 Amy E. Wright, Ph.D.
Dr. Amy E. Wright received her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of California at Riverside working under the
direction of James J. Sims. Following a post-doctoral fellowship with the SeaPharm Project, a Biotech start-up venture located
at HARBOR BRANCH, she joined the staff of HBOI as a senior chemist. Dr. Wright is currently the Director of the Division of
Biomedical Marine Research at HBOI and the Head of the Natural Products Chemistry Group. Current research in her lab focuses on
the bioassay-guided fractionation and structure elucidation of novel marine derived natural products, which act as defined molecular
targets such as enzymes important in various aspects of cancer, the immune response, inflammation and fungal cell wall biosynthesis.
Of special interest is the discovery of agents that are active against multi-drug resistant tumors. The majority of the organisms studied
in the program come from deep-water habitats which the group studies using the Johnson-Sea-Link human-occupied submersibles. Her group
also conducts research on the sustainable use of marine resources and is investigating the genes responsible for biosynthesis of
lasonolide A, and dictyostatin-1, two potent cytotoxic agents. Dr. Wright has over 55 publications in the scientific literature, is
an inventor on 14 U.S. patents and numerous foreign patents.
Contact Information:
Amy E. Wright, Ph.D. - Division Director and Head of Natural Products Chemistry
Division of Biomedical Marine Research, HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
5600 US.1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946
Phone: 772-465-2400 X459, Fax: 772-461-2221
Email: Wright@hboi.edu
Website:http://www.hboi.edu/dbmr/dbmr_home.html
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 Perter McCarthy, Ph.D.
Dr. Peter McCarthy was educated in England and received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Kent at Canterbury. Following
a post-doctoral fellowship at Smith Kline Beckman working with the Natural Products Discovery group, Dr. McCarthy joined HARBOR BRANCH
Oceanographic Institution and is currently the Head of Microbiology. Research projects taking place include the identification of the
symbiotic microbes present in deep-water marine sponges and the development of novel isolation methods to increase the numbers of microbes
that can be cultured. The group also works closely with the Division of Biomedical Marine Research Chemists in the isolation and
identification of chemicals produced by the unusual microbes held in the HBOI marine microorganism culture collection. Dr. McCarthy has
over 35 publications in the scientific literature and is a former President of the Florida Branch of the American Society for Microbiology.
Contact Information:
Peter J. McCarthy, Ph.D. - Associate Division Director and Head of Microbiology
Division of Biomedical Marine Research, HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
5600 US.1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946
Phone: 772-465-2400 x632, Fax: 772-461-2221
Email: Pmccarthy@hboi.edu
Website:http://www.hboi.edu/dbmr/dbmr_home.html
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Susan H. Sennett, Ph.D.
Dr. Susan Sennett received her Ph.D. in Marine Studies from the University of Delaware Graduate College of Marine Studies. Following
a post-doctoral fellowship with the Natural Products Chemistry Group in the Division of Biomedical Marine Research, she was hired as
a staff scientist in the HBOI Division of Biomedical Marine Research and has been involved in several aspects of the drug discovery
program. Her research focus in the Invertebrate Cell Culture group is directed towards the localization of production of bioactive natural
products in deep-water sponges and self-protection mechanisms in marine organisms that produce bioactive compounds. In addition to her
research interests, Dr. Sennett has been involved in K-12 education and outreach in collaboration with programs in the HARBOR BRANCH
Marine Education Division.
Contact Information:
Susan H. Sennett, Ph.D. - Assistant Scientist
Division of Biomedical Marine Research - HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
5600 US.1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946
Phone: 772-465-2400 x479, Fax: 772-461-2221
Email: Sennett@hboi.edu
--------------------------------------------------------
 Jose V. Lopez, Ph.D.
Dr. Jose Lopez earned his Ph.D through George Mason University by studying the molecular evolution of mitochondrial DNA at the National Cancer
Institute Laboratory of Genomic Diversity in Frederick Maryland. Dr. Lopez then received postdoctoral fellowships at the Smithsonian Tropical
Research Institute in the Republic of Panama to study coral sibling species complexes, and at the HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution to
begin evolutionary studies on marine invertebrates. Since 1998, Dr. Lopez has been an Assistant Scientist supporting the drug discovery goals
of the Division of Biomedical Marine
Research by applying the latest molecular biology techniques. Research includes developing genetic markers to identify marine sponges, analyses
of potential marine microbial symbionts using ribosomal RNA, characterizing the evolution of genes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis,
and population genetics of marine organisms. Dr. Lopez has published 19 peer-reviewed scientific papers, and also serves as a member on the
Morris Animal Foundation Wildlife Scientific Advisory board.
Contact Information:
Jose V. Lopez, Ph.D. - Assistant Scientist
Division of Biomedical Marine Research, HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution
5600 US.1 North, Ft. Pierce, FL 34946
Phone: 772-465-2400, ext 478, Fax: 772-461-2221
Email: lopez@HBOI.edu
Website:http://www.hboi.edu/dbmr/lopez.html
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 John K. Reed
John Reed is Chief Scientist and co-Principal Investigator on the 2003 NOAA OE Expedition, "Medicines from the Deep Sea: Exploration
of the Gulf of Mexico." John is senior scientist at HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution (HBOI), Division of Biomedical Marine Research
(DBMR), and heads the Sample Acquisition and Taxonomy Program to discover pharmaceutically active compounds from marine organisms. He is
chief scientist for DBMR in charge of supervising and organizing >60 worldwide collection expeditions for biomedical research with HBOI's
research vessels, submersibles, and land-based expeditions. He is responsible for curating 30,000 specimens of marine organisms in DBMR's
taxonomic museum collection and managing the collection database, photographic library, and videotape library. John is also the Diving
Safety Officer for all diving activities from HBOI vessels and by a staff of 60 research divers. He has logged 35 deep-water lockout dives
with helium-oxygen from Johnson-Sea-Link submersibles, logged >2000 scientific scuba dives, and >150 scientific dives in the
Johnson-Sea-Link and Clelia submersibles. John's research on the deep-water Oculina coral banks
(http://www.hboi.edu/news/features/oculina.html) off Florida since 1976 has
resulted in over 50 publications and the establishment of a 300 sq.mi. Marine Protected Area for these reefs. John received his B.S. from
the University of Miami and M.S. specializing in marine ecology from Florida Atlantic University in 1975.
Contact Information:
John Reed - Senior Research Specialist
Division of Biomedical Marine Research, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
5600 U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946
Phone : 772.465.2400 ext. 205, Fax: 772.461.2221
Email: jreed@hboi.edu
--------------------------------------------------------
 Sarath P. Gunasekera, Ph.D.
Dr. Sarath P. Gunasekera was educated in Sri Lanka and received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 1976 from the University of Sri Lanka.
He joined the faculty of the chemistry department as a Lecturer in Organic Chemistry in 1976 and a year later immigrated to United States.
He completed postdoctoral research with Prof. Norman R. Farnsworth at the University of Illinois, Chicago, followed by further postdoctoral
studies with Professor Francis J. Schmitz at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Gunasekera joined HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution in 1985
and is currently the Group Leader in marine natural products chemistry. His Research interests include marine natural product chemistry with
an emphasis on biologically active compounds having potential medicinal value. Current research focuses on the discovery of anti-tumor compounds
from sponges and deep-water microorganisms, and semi-synthesis of anti-tumor compounds for structure-activity relationship studies. Dr. Gunasekera
has co-authored 98 peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals and co-inventor of 21 United States patents including the composition and
use patents on the sponge metabolite discodermolide currently under going phase-1 clinical trials for pancreatic cancer at the Saint Antonio Cancer
Institute in Texas.
Contact Information:
Sarath P. Gunasekera, Ph.D. - Group Leader Chemistry
Division of Biomedical Marine Research, HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
5600 US.1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946
Phone: 772-465-2400 x.470, Fax: 772-461-2221
Email: sgunaseker@hboi.edu
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Frank Mari, Ph.D.
The current focus of our research program, in collaboration with Dr. Gregg Fields is to study the venom of cone snail species from the
Atlantic and the Eastern Pacific region. Cone snails are venomous predatory marine gastropods that use an elaborate biochemical strategy
to compete for survival in the marine environment.
The venom of cone snails is a complex mixture of heavily modified peptides (Conopeptides) that elicit a wide range of neurophysiological
responses. Several conopeptides show promising properties as neuropharmacological agents for the treatment of a wide array of conditions ranging
from chronic pain to the treatment of epilepsy. Notably, Prialt™, an omega conotoxin isolated from Conus magus, is the first drug of marine
origin to reach FDA-approvable status, an its the most powerful painkiller known to date.
The venom of cone snails is species specific. There are more than 1000 cone snail species. Therefore, up to 100,000 biological active conopeptides
may exist. Less than 150 conopeptides have been fully characterized to date. Our lab is dedicated to collect Atlantic and Panamic cone snail
species, separated and isolate the conopeptide components of their venom and to the molecular and neuropharmacological characterization of these
conopeptides.
Contact Information:
Dr. Frank Mari - Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Phone: 561-297-3315, Fax: 561-2972759
Email: mari@fau.edu
Website:http://www.science.fau.edu/chemistry/Mari.html
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Gregg B. Fields, Ph.D.
Our laboratory, in collaboration with Dr. Frank Mari, focuses on synthesizing and characterizing novel components from the venom of
Conus species, which elicit a wide range of neurophysiological responses and show great potential as therapeutic agents. We have
also developed high throughput screening assays for tumor cell viability and enzymes implicated in cancer and arthritis; these will be
used to examine activities of novel marine compounds.
Contact Information:
Dr. Gregg B. Fields - Professor and Chair
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Phone: 561-297-2093, Fax: 561-297-2759
Email: fieldsg@fau.edu
Website:http://www.science.fau.edu/chemistry/fields.html
OCEAN ENGINEERING
William E. Glenn, Ph.D.
The Imaging Technology Center will provide high resolution imaging technologies to the center. The ITC has recently completed
(on support by NASA and ONR) a compact QUAD HD CMOS Color Digital Video Camera, which is the first in the world at 8 million pixels,
small size and light weight, low power requirement, 3-D capable, with 500-800 ASA sensitivity and variable frame rate up to 30 FPS. The
compact ultra high-resolution camera will be used in FAU AUV's to observe ocean systems and organisms. It will be interfaced with
a recording/data storage device. The advantages of this camera are the clarity of the picture and capability to zoom in and examine
small areas of an entire image with incredible clarity. A camera with these specifications and capabilities is not available on the
commercial market.
Contact Information:
Dr. William E. Glenn - Director, Imaging Technology Center
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: 561-297-3411, Fax: 561-297-3418
Email: glenn@fau.edu
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 Taghi M. Khoshgoftaar, Ph.D.
Data Mining and Ocean Exploration: Data Mining of Underwater Images and Video Data. The knowledge discovery and data mining of
the large amounts of underwater images and video data obtained during an ocean exploration. Develop a software application implementing
pattern recognition, pattern classification, and image processing algorithms for objects-of-interest to the ocean exploration group.
Contact Information:
Dr. Taghi M. Khoshgoftaar - Professor / Director of CSE Graduate Programs and Research Director of Empirical Software Engineering Lab
Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Phone: 561-297-3994, Fax: 561-297-2800
Email: taghi@cse.fau.edu
Website:http://www.cse.fau.edu/~taghi
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 Edgar An, Ph.D.
This lab will focus on developing new capability for ocean exploration using an autonomous underwater vehicle with a high -definition
TV camera (EE). In addition, they will develop algorithms with FAU's Department of Computer Science and Engineering for detecting and
classifying objects of interest in the video data collected.
Contact Information:
Edgard An - Associate Professor
Department of Ocean Engineering, Florida Atlantic University
Dania Beach, FL 33431
Phone : 954-924-7231, Fax : 954-924-7007
Email: ean@oe.fau.edu
Website:http://www.oe.fau.edu/research/ams.html
CENTER STAFF
Larry F. Lemankski, Ph.D - Principal Offeror
Frank T. Brogan - Chair, Board of Directors
Camille Coley, J.D. - Program Manager/ Chair, Steering Committee
Gregg B. Fields, Ph.D. - Principal Technical Person
Gerald N. Goldberger, Ph.D. - Principal Business Person
Ed Rowen - Chair, Financial Advisory Committee
Stephen G. Nappi - Chair, Technology Transfer Committee
Allyn Golub - Chair, Research Advisory Committee |
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