Introduction to Marine Biology

George Karleskint started teaching in 1972 and has been at St. Louis Community College, Meramec, since 1976. Karleskint enjoys teaching because it gives him the opportunity to help students understand the wonders of life and the special, and even somewhat mysterious, biological world in which they live. In 1994 he was given the outstanding teacher award by the Xi Lambda chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. George first became interested in marine biology as a child, on trips to Florida when he wanted to know more about the shells he collected. By the time he was in college he had learned so much about molluscs and taxonomy that he was something of a local expert on the topic. His varied college and graduate school interests (first chemistry, then biology, then invertebrate zoology) culminated in his current specialty of physiology. His family shares his love of travel, the ocean, and marine creatures.

Dr. Richard Turner joined the faculty of Florida Tech in 1976. His postdoctoral studies were done at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (1982-1983). He has served as president of the Florida Academy of Sciences (1985-1986, 2009-2011) and is business manager (1994 to present) of the Florida Scientist, the journal of the Florida Academy of Sciences. He has 34 publications in refereed journals and books. Dr. Turner's research has been focused on the general biology of echinoderms, a group of marine animals that include seastars, sea urchins, and brittlestars. Other research projects include general biology of the Florida applesnail, fossilization of the Atlantic ghost crab, and the role of beachhoppers in processing of beach wrack and in transport of marine mites.

James W. Small, Jr., is Professor of Biology at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida where he has taught for 36 years. He also serves as the College's Chief Pre-Health Professions Advisor. He obtained the Bachelor of Science degree in zoology at the University of North Carolina and received his M.S. degree in zoology and Ph.D degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Kentucky (1972). His dissertation was on the bioenergetics of stream fishes, but he has also done extensive work on the ecology of the Central Florida lakes for many years, involving many students in his ecological studies. Professor Small began team teaching marine biology in 1976, with on campus lectures and laboratory experiences on the Florida coasts, the Florida Keys, Barbados, and Hawaii. The Barbados and Hawaii laboratories have been offered on a two year rotation and involve taking students to professional marine biology laboratories (McGill University in Barbados or the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology in Hawaii) for 14-21 days where they collect organisms and study various marine ecosystems. Particular emphasis is given to the study of mangroves, coral reefs, and the rocky intertidal communities. He has also taught a course for college teachers on tropical intertidal biology (in Barbados) and has authored publications on fish systematics, ecology, and teaching.