SPMC is Accepting Applications for the 2008 Summer REU Program

SPMC is now accepting applications for the 2008 summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Information about the program can be found at http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~spmc/spreuhome.htm. Applications are due by February 15th, 2008.

Green Tide Study Funded by NSF

The National Science Foundation is awarding Dr. Kathryn Van Alstyne of the Shannon Point Marine Center and Drs. Timothy Nelson and Richard Ridgway of Seattle Pacific University $563,000 to study toxins produced by the seaweeds responsible for “green tides”.  Green tides are large growths of green seaweeds or “sea lettuces” that appear to be occurring more frequently in the Puget Sound region.  Previous research by Van Alstyne, Nelson and their students has shown that chemicals produced by the seaweeds are harmful to other marine organisms including crab larvae, oyster larvae, and other seaweeds.  In this project, the researchers will look at how the seaweeds produce the toxins, how the toxins work, and the factors in the environment that trigger or increase toxin production.  The work will help researchers predict when and where seaweed blooms will affect local communities or harm economically and ecologically important species.  Funding from the grant will be used to support graduate studentsat Shannon Point.  Students participating in the project will be trained in a variety of state-of the-art research techniques that include confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, gas chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography. 

New Research Vessel Launched

A new flagship vessel, the RV Zoea, has been added to the SPMC fleet.  It was purchased through a $149,000 grant from the National Science Foundation and has a 32 foot aluminum hull with a beam of 9.5 feet.  The superstructure includes an 11-foot long cabin, with space for passenger seating and small volume wet laboratory work.  The vessel is powered by a 310 HP turbo diesel with a dual propeller stern drive.  The stern has a 3 foot extended fantail platform, an A-frame, and a hydraulic winch capable of lifting 1500 lb.  The RV Zoea can cruise at 24 knots.  It adds considerable field research capacity to the SPMC fleet, which previously consisted of 19 foot and 26 foot outboard powered vessels.

SPMC Battered by Storm

A severe wind and rain storm damaged facilities at the Shannon Point Marine Center on December 15, 2006.  Hardest hit was the Marine Education Center, a $4.9 million facility that had just opened in March.  The storm, which produced peak winds of more than 90 mph, blew several large Douglas firs, Grand firs and cedars onto the roof of the new facility, causing significant damage to the structure and surrounding campus.  The large student study and meeting room had the most damage.  Four holes were poked through the roof and several large windows shattered.  Most of the damage was done by a 112-year old Douglas fir whose base diameter exceeded 3 feet.  Several other trees hit the office wing of the building and a deck area, causing mostly cosmetic damage.  The corner of the Academic Programs Building, which houses the main lecture hall, was badly damaged and a van was smashed, resulting in its complete loss.

Although the Student Study Room was out of service for 3 months while repairs were made, quick work by Western’s administration and Facilities Management Department prevented further weather damage from subsequent storms and permitted normal operations to resume at the beginning of Winter Quarter.  Fortunately, no one was injured and no ongoing experiments were compromised.

SPMC Moves into New Facilities

In March, 2006, Shannon Point moved into its new $4.9 million Marine Education Center.  The new 11,700 square foot office/laboratory building adjoins the existing Sundquist Laboratory.  It provides a common entrance to both buildings and allows for more efficient use of the older facility.  The new facility includes a conference room, a large student study and meeting room, a computer lab, and 2000 square feet of chemistry and analytical instrumentation laboratory space.  The new chemistry labs feature a chemical storage room, an analytical balance room, and movable benchwork that facilitates instrument maintenance.  The new facility was designed to take advantage of natural light and prevailing winds to increase energy efficiency. The movement of the administrative and staff offices into the new facility has permitted laboratory space in the Sundquist Lab that had been used as offices to be returned to wet lab use.  Space formerly used in the Sundquist Lab for general chemistry is now used for a teaching laboratory with access to running sea water, and an area for studies of toxicology and studies requiring preservatives.