> **Phone:** 305.766.4702

## **Email:** bmason@rsmas.miami.edu

**Education:**

**2005-Present University of Miami -- Rosentiel School of Marine and
Atmospheric Science**

2004. **M.S. University of North Carolina at Wilmington**

**2000/01 University of Charleston (Grice Marine Lab)**

> \- Completed **18 credits** of graduate coursework in Marine Biology

**2000** **B.S.** **Allegheny College,** Meadville, PA **-- Double
Major:** Biology/Environmental

> Science

**Research Experience:**

**2005 (Spring-Summer) - Research Associate -- Cooperative Institute for
Marine and Atmospheric Science/National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Miami Fl --** Assisted with coral reef monitoring, coral
mapping and data analysis

Supervisor: Margaret W. Miller (305.361.4261)

**2004 (Summer-Fall) -- Graduate Research Assistant -** Worked in Key
Largo, FL participating in *Acropora palmata*, *Montastraea faveolata*,
*M. cavernosa*, *Agaricia humilis*, *Favia fragum* spawn/larval
collection, larval rearing, settlement preference studies, examining the
effects of nutrients on fertilization and settlement, settlement
inhibition by waterborne chemicals produced by macroalgae,
post-settlement mortality studies comparing the effects of MPAs on
substrate composition and post-settlement survivorship corals, and reef
restoration/reseeding efforts.

**2003/04 (Fall --Spring) --** Performed inorganic and organic nutrient
analysis of water samples, AFDW and elemental analysis of solid,
sediment samples collected for my thesis

**2003 (Summer --** **Fall)** -- **Graduate Research Assistant -**
Designed, conducted field sampling and algal growth experiments for my
master's thesis. Worked in the field participating in *A. palmata* and
*M. faveolata* spawn collection, larval rearing, settlement preference,
post settlement mortality studies, reef restoration/reseeding efforts. I
traveled to Bonaire, NA to assist in a study to develop and evaluate
effectiveness of using fluorescent tools for the location and
identification of scleractinian coral recruits.

**2002 (Summer --Fall) -- Graduate Research Assistant --** Worked in the
field and laboratory where I participated in algal growth studies,
*Diadema* *antillarum* transplant/caging experiments, *A. palmata* and
*M. faveolata* spawn collection, larval rearing, settlement preference
and post-settlement survivorship studies, analyzed chlorophyll samples
and community structure/algal productivity data from a three year NCORE
study

Supervisor: Alina M. Szmant, Professor of Biology --UNCW (910.962.2362)

**2001 (Spring)** - Volunteered in the NOAA (Charleston, SC) biotoxins
lab examining the cell cycle of *Gymnodinium breve*, mechanisms
involved, and the role of oxidative stress in bloom termination.

**1999/00 (Fall -- Spring) -** [Allegheny College Senior Comprehensive
Project]{.underline}: "The role of Caddis larvae, *Phryganeida
ptilostomis*, in the decomposition of wetland detritus." Independent
research culminating with the submission and oral defense of the
research.

**1999 (Spring)** - I conducted research on the prevalence imposex in
populations of mud snails, *Ilyanassa obsoleta*, at sites in Carteret
County, N.C. while studying at the Duke University Marine Lab.

**Teaching Experience:**

**2004 (Spring) - University of North Carolina Wilmington - Graduate
Teaching Assistant**

> Human Anatomy and Physiology

Supervisor: Timothy Ballard (Phone 910.962.7263; Email:
ballardt@uncw.edu)

**2003 (Spring) - University of North Carolina Wilmington - Graduate
Teaching Assistant --** Introductory biology

**2000/01 (Fall -- Spring) - University of Charleston - Graduate
Teaching Assistant**

> Introductory Biology
>
> Supervisor: Brian Scholtens (Phone: 843.953.8081; Email:
> scholtensb@cofc.edu)

**Awards and Honors:**

**2006** Mote Marine Laboratory, "Protect Our Reefs" License Plate Grant
Recipient

**2005** UM Graduate Fellowship

**2004** UNCW graduate student travel award

**2000** Class of 1939 Senior Research Award

**1996-00** Allegheny College Alden Scholar

**1996-97** Allegheny College Scholar Athlete Award

**1996** Allegheny College Presidential Scholarship Recipient

**Special Training/Certifications:**

-   **SCUBA certifications:** PADI Open Water, AAUS Research Diver with
    approximately 500 logged dives

-   **Boat experience:** UNCW Small Watercraft Certification (\~ 150
    hrs. operating 25-30' research vessels)

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-   **Computer Skills:** Proficient with Microsoft software packages;
    Statistical Software JMP 4.0.3, Primer 5

-   **First Aid and CPR** -- Certified continuously since 2002

**Publications:**

3\. Mason B, Beard M, Miller MW, Shestopalov V, Slepak V (2007)
Extraocular photosensitivity in coral larvae: An opsin-like protein and
photoreceptor cells present in scleractinian coral larvae may aid in
substrate discrimination during settlement. (In preparation)

2.  Mason BM, Szmant, AM (2004) The importance of detritus and
    microenvironment nutrient enrichment to the growth of reef
    macroalgae, *Halimeda* and *Dictyota*. (In preparation)

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1.  Szmant AM, Mason BM (2004) Spatial and seasonal patterns of algal
    community structure on Key

Largo, FL USA, Coral Reefs: Do patterns suggest that nutrient enrichment
is a factor? (In preparation)

**Abstracts and Presentations:**

4\. Beard M, Mason B, Miller MW, Shestopalov V, Slepak V (2007)
Extraocular photosensitivity in coral larvae: An opsin-like protein and
photoreceptor cells present in scleractinian coral larvae may aid in
substrate discrimination during settlement. 36^th^ Annual Benthic
Ecology Meeting, Atlanta, GA

3\. Szmant AM, Mason BM (2004) Spatial and seasonal patterns of algal
community structure on Key

Largo, FL USA, Coral Reefs: Do patterns suggest that nutrient enrichment
is a factor? (Poster) 10^th^ Int. Coral Reef Symp.: Okinawa, Japan

2.  Mason BM, Szmant AM (2004) The roles of particulate matter and
    macroalgae in boundary layer

nutrient enrichment: Factors influencing the growth of macroalgae on
coral reefs? ASLO 2004 Summer Meeting, Savannah, GA

1.  Mason BM (2004) The roles of detritus and macroalgae in benthic
    nutrient dynamics and boundary layer

nutrient enrichment: Factors influencing the growth and persistence of
macroalgae, Halimeda and Dictyota, on coral reefs? (Poster) 33^rd^
Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting, Mobile, AL.