[ISSHA] Graduate Student Research Opportunity: IMB/NRC, Halifax, NS, Cana da

[BatesS at dfo-mpo.gc.ca]

Apologies for cross postings.

GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY:

HARMFUL / TOXIC MICROALGAE AND BIVALVE MOLLUSK INTERACTIONS

Funding is available for 3 to 4 years for an MS or PhD student (starting in
2005) to participate in a research project on the accumulation and
depuration of the natural toxin, domoic acid, produced by the toxic marine
diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries, by commercially important bivalve
molluscs. The main goal is to determine the capacity of bivalves to graze on
toxic cells and to accumulate and depurate this algal toxin at low seasonal
temperatures. The information generated will be used to evaluate the
potential for species-specific closures of shellfish harvesting grounds
during toxic blooms in Atlantic Canada. The project is a collaboration among
V.M. Bricelj (shellfish biologist/ecologist at the Institute for Marine
Biosciences IMB/NRC and Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University, Halifax,
Nova Scotia), Stephen Bates (phytoplankton biologist at Fisheries and Oceans
Canada, Moncton, New Brunswick), and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(CFIA), Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. 

This interdisciplinary research will involve:  a) algal ecophysiology and
optimization of mass cultures of diatoms (Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries) to
maximize cell densities and specific toxicities for bivalve contamination
studies; b) feeding physiology/behaviour and toxin uptake studies of
commercially important bivalves, the Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica,
and blue mussel Mytilus edulis; and c) toxin extraction and analysis of
domoic acid from algae and animal tissues to determine size-specific toxin
kinetics at a range of low temperatures. Most of the experimental work will
be conducted at the National Research Council's Marine Research Station
(MRS), equipped with running seawater shellfish facilities and
state-of-the-art instrumentation, and located ~20 min driving distance from
the Dalhousie University campus. Additional work will be conducted at the
Oxford St. NRC laboratories on the Dalhousie campus.

Minimum requirements: BSc in biology, marine biology, aquaculture or related
field, and driver's license. Prior research experience on phytoplankton
and/or bivalve biology is desirable. Will require admission in a graduate
(Ph.D. or M.S.) program at Dalhousie University.  Please send a CV or
contact by e-mail or phone:

V. Monica Bricelj, Senior Researcher
Shellfish Biology and Aquaculture
Institute for Marine Biosciences
National Research Council
1411 Oxford St.
Halifax, NS  B3H 3Z1
Canada

Ph. (902) 426-8005
Fax: (902) 426-9413
e-mail: Monica.Bricelj at nrc.ca

Adjunct Professor, Biology and
Oceanography Departments, Dalhousie University
Web site: http://www.imb.nrc.ca/ <http://www.imb.nrc.ca/> 


This announcement also appears on the ISSHA website:  http://www.issha.org
<http://www.issha.org> 

**************************************************************
Stephen S. Bates, PhD
Research Scientist - Phytoplankton / Chercheur Scientifique - Phytoplancton
Fisheries and Oceans Canada / Pêches et Océans Canada
Gulf Fisheries Centre / Centre des pêches du Golfe
P.O. Box 5030 / C.P. 5030
343 Université Ave. / 343, avenue de l'Université
Moncton, New Brunswick / Nouveau-Brunswick, Canada  E1C 9B6

Tel / Tél.:  1-506-851-3982
Fax / Télécopieur:  1-506-851-2079
E-mail / Courriel:  BatesS at dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Pseudo-nitzschia and domoic acid references:
http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sci-sci/dapr-radp
<http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sci-sci/dapr-radp> 

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