Dr. Marsh Youngbluth received his Master's degree in Zoology in 1966 from the University of Hawaii, and his Ph.D. in Biology in 1972 from Stanford University. He is a Senior Scientist with the Division of Marine Science at Harbor Branch Oceanographic institution. He has served as a visiting scientist at the University of Bergen, Norway, the Japanese Center for Promotion of Science, and National Center for Scientific Research in France. Dr. Youngbluth has also served as NSF Biological Oceanography Program Director, and as Program manager for the NOAA National Undersea Research Program.

Dr. Youngbluth's research in the field of biological oceanography is currently focused on in situ investigations of mesopelagic zooplankton, particularly gelatinous fauna. With respect to siphonophores and medusae, Dr. Youngbluth is interested in their ecological roles as predators in deep-water coastal regimes. Other active projects include studies of large appendicularians as mediators of particle flux and transport in midwater and benthic boundary habitats.

Much of Dr. Youngbluth's work employs the Harbor Branch JOHNSON SEA-LINK research submersibles. A firm believer in employing "the right tools for the job," Dr. Youngbluth continues to utilize innovative technologies in the ongoing exploration of the mid-ocean realm.

Professor Per Flood received his Doctorate in 1966 from the University of Bergen, Norway. Dr. Flood served as Professor at the University's Institute of Anatomy from 1966 to 1992, and as Professor in the Department of Zoology from 1992 to 1997. Currently, he is principal research scientist for Bathybiologica A/S.

Dr. Flood first described the structural characteristics of appendicularian feeding filters in a 1973 publication. Since then, he has made significant contributions to the understanding of appendicularian feeding house architecture and function, mucus production and histo-chemistry, and bioluminescence. In a 1992 publication in Nature, Dr. Flood and colleagues documented the ability of appendicularians to filter colloid-sized dissolved matter from seawater, strongly suggesting that the animals may be able to use dissolved organic compounds as a food resource.

Dr. Flood co-authored a chapter on the structure and function of appendicularian houses, and a second chapter on appendicularian bioluminescence in a 1998 volume entitled The Biology of Pelagic Tunicates (Bone, ed.).

Dr. Juanita Urban-Rich is an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She received her Master's degree in Biology in 1992 from Memorial University, Newfoundland and her Ph.D. in biological oceanography in 1997 from the University of Maryland. From 1997 till 2000 she was a postdoctoral fellow at Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON).

Dr. Urban-Rich's research interests center on the role of mesozooplankton in carbon (particulate and dissolved) cycles and zooplankton connections with bacteria. Much of her work has focused on zooplankton fecal pellet flux. While much is known about biological processes on particles (fecal pellets and marine snow aggregates) in surface waters, little is known about the structure and biological and chemical processes on particles in mesopelagic depths. Active research interests also include an examination of the connections between grazing copepods and appendicularians to colored dissolved organic matter in coastal waters.

Allison Heater is a University of Miami Senior Marine Technician whose duty is to oversee and facilitate the technical aspects of shipboard science operations. She received a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, and a Master's degree in Ocean Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology.

Allison's past work experience includes experience as Senior Quality Control personnel and Project Geophysicist for the marine geophysical services company Veritas DGC, and as a Peace Corps Volunteer engaged in computer programming in Botswana, Africa.

Previously, Allison participated in Dr. Youngbluth's research mission to the Gulf Stream aboard HBOI's R/V SEWARD JOHNSON, completed in April of this year.

Jennifer Whiteis is currently a Graduate Student in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University. She received a bachelor's degree from Cornell in Geology in 2000.

Previously, Jennifer has been involved with research projects ranging from satellite remote sensing studies examining Alaskan glacier response to climate change to looking at possible causes of coral disease in the Caribbean Sea. Her diverse experience also includes work as a volunteer at the Paleontological Research Institute in Ithica, New York.

Jennifer Bossart works as part of HARBOR BRANCH's Marine Mammal Division. She received a BS in Biology from the University of Georgia in 1994, and worked with marine mammals at the Miami Seaquarium from 1994 to 1997. Jennifer also is a Board Member of the Marine Life Preservation Society.

This is Jennifer's second tour of duty as part of the Youngbluth research team; she also participated in the April, 2001, R/V SEWARD JOHNSON mission to the Gulf Stream, where the team studied the ecology of midwater appendicularians using the JOHNSON-SEA-LINK manned submersible.

Sarah Peters works as a research biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Florida Marine Research Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a major in Biology and a minoe in Chemistry.

While pursuing her degree, Rebecca spent two summers as a research assistant at the Keys Marine Lab on Long Key, Florida. She has considerable experience as a small boat operator and as a research SCUBA diver.

Rebecca Johnson brings more than 15 years of science writing and editing experience to the Gulf of Maine research team. She received a BA in Biology, and a MA in Biology and Graphic Design from Augustana College.

Rebecca has worked as a biological illustrator for the Shoals Marine Laboratory, and has extensive experience as an environmental educator, technical illustrator, and desktop publisher. Since 1987, Rebecca has worked as a freelance science writer and illustrator. Since 1999, she has also served as a science writer and educational media developer for the U.S. Geological Survey's EROS Data Center in South Dakota.