Ryan Fisher

Ryan Fisher

Associate Professor

Department of Biology

BSc University of Exeter (England), School of BioSciences

PhD James Cook University (Australia), School of Marine and Tropical Biology

Office: MH418, Telephone: (978) 542 - 6841

Office Hours for Spring 2012: Tuesday – 9-10am; Wednesday 1-2pm; Thursday – 9-10am; Friday 12-1pm

Email: ryan.fisher@salemstate.edu

Classes Taught

BIO801N – Workshop in Biology – The World of Invertebrates

BIO310 Invertebrate Zoology – lecture and laboratory

BIO131 Introduction to Organisms – lecture and laboratory

BIO132 Introduction to Cells - laboratory

BIO121 Diversity of Life – lecture and laboratory

BIO122 World of Cells – lecture and laboratory

Current Goals

Excite students about the world of biology

Excite students about the microscopic world of the meiofauna

Encourage students to become involved in all aspects of college life (academic and non-academic)

Encourage students about the benefits of foreign travel

Spring 2012 Schedule

Course	Class Format & Time	Classroom
BIO122-03 World of Cells TTh	Lecture 1.40-2.55pm	MH539
BIO310 - 01 Invertebrate Zoology TTh	Lecture 10.50am – 12.05pm	MH539
BIO310 –L21 Invertebrate Zoology WF	Lab – 9-10am	MH414
BIO121 – S1 Diversity of Life Tuesday	Lecture/Lab 4.30-9.30pm	MH539/MH401

Research Interests

I am interested in meiobenthic ecology, particularly nematodes and nematode-ciliate symbioses. I am also interested in the use of meiobenthic nematode community analysis as a tool in detecting anthropogenic disturbances. I am currently exploring the interactions between marine nematode assemblages and the Eastern Mudsnail Ilyanassa obsoleta.

I am also interested in the pedagogy of science, particularly how to draw in the non-majors biology student to the exciting world of the study of life.

Publications

Buttner, J.K., R. Fisher, M. Fregeau, S.Weston and I. Sunila. 2010. Epibionts on the Siphons of Softshell Clams, Mya arenaria, in a FLUPSY: Species, Prevalence, and Management. Journal of Shellfish Biology, 29 (2):546.

Contributing author in: Scully, Tara. A., 2009. Discovering Biology in the Lab – An Introductory Lab Manual.

Pederson. J, R. Bullock, J. Carlton, J. Dijkstra, N. Dobroski, P. Dyrynda, R. Fisher, L. Harris, N. Hobbs, G. Lambert, E. Lazo-Wazem, A. Mathieson,

M.P. Miglietta, J. Smith, J. Smith III and M. Tyrrell. 2005. Marine Invaders in the North East - Rapid Assessment Survey of Non-native and native Marine Species of Floating Dock Communities - Report of the August 3-9, 2003 Survey. MIT Sea Grant College Program, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 45p

Fisher, R. (2003). Ciliate Hitchhikers – nematode ecto-commensals from tropical Australian sea grass meadows, Journal of The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 83: 445-446.

Fisher, R. (2003). Spatial and temporal variations in nematode assemblages in tropical seagrass sediments, Hydrobiologia 493: 43-63.

Fisher, R., & M.J., Sheaves, (2003). Community Structure and Spatial Variability of Marine Nematodes in Tropical Australian Pioneer Seagrass Meadows, Hydrobiologia 495: 143-158.

Environmental Impact Consultancies

Sheaves, M.J., Fisher, R., & Sheaves, J., 2000. Monitoring of the Ecological Condition of Mangrove Forests and Intertidal Meiofauna adjacent to the Ross Island Barracks. A report to Maunsell Australia (an AECOM company). Environmental Consultants, Townsville, Australia.

Sheaves, M.J., Aumend, J.F., Fisher, R., Johnston, R., & Sheaves, J., 1999. A Biological and Ecological Assessment of the Condition of Mangrove and Invertebrate Communities in Areas Adjacent to the Ross Island Barracks (Ten Terminal Regiment), Townsville. A report to Maunsell Australia (an AECOM company) Environmental Consultants, Townsville, Australia.

Conferences and Festivals Attended

February 2009. 30^th Darwin Festival, Salem State College, Salem MA. “Voyage on the HMS Beagle – not quite your Caribbean cruise!”

April 2006. New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS) Spring 2006 Meeting, Hull, MA. Delivered a paper: “Estuarine Monitoring using the Meiobenthos – Revisiting a case study from Mangrove Sediments in Tropical Australia with a view for use in Salem Sound, MA.”

Links

Societies and Institutions

Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) http://www.aims.gov.au/

American Microscopical Society http://amicros.org/

American Society of Limnology and Oceanography

Ecological Society of America

Estuarine Research Federation

Friday Harbor Laboratory – University of Washington

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

International Association of Meiobenthology

International Biogeography Society

Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom