MARINE MAMMAL EDUCATION

A key component of the Dolphin Research and Conservation Program is educating the public about this magnificent marine mammal and the need to protect the species and preserve their delicate aquatic environment. We would like to create a better understanding of Florida's coastal areas and the interdependence of its aquatic plants and animals. Marilyn Mazzoil, Dolphin Research director clearly explains the process: "clean water promotes healthy sea grasses, which harbor the food supply of the dolphin."

POSTDOCTORAL VETERINARY FELLOWSHIPS
• The Division of Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI), Ft. Pierce, Florida will offer a third 18-month postdoctoral fellowship commencing July 1, 2004. The Division of Marine Mammal Research and Conservation has multifaceted research programs involving emerging marine mammal diseases, a health assessment study of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins in Florida and South Carolina, research on newly described papillomaviruis infections in manatees and dolphins, studies of cardiomyopathy in Kogia and the general pathologic basis of marine mammal strandings. Conservation aspects of the program include marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation in Florida and international marine mammal outreach programs. The HBOI Marine Mammal Stranding Center provides temporary or long-term care for various marine mammal species. Animals that can be treated successfully are rehabilitated, released and typically monitored post-release via telemetry devices. Conservation outreach and/or collaborative programs in medicine exist with facilities in Mexico, Belize, Guyana, Colombia and Brazil.

FELLOWSHIP IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF MARINE MAMMAL PAPILLOMAVIRUSES

The Division of Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution, Ft. Pierce, Florida will offer an 18 month post-doctoral fellowship commencing fall of 2003, administered by HARBOR BRANCH Institution, Inc. and carried out in the Laboratory of Vaccinology, John Graham Brown Cancer Center, the University of Louisville Health Science Center, Louisville, KY. The Division of Marine Mammal Research and Conservation has multifaceted programs, including one that involves clinical and molecular research of manatee and dolphin papillomaviruses.

This fellowship will involve approximately 80% molecular work isolating, characterizing, and developing reagents and vaccines against manatee and dolphin papillomaviruses. The fellow will be under the direct supervision of Drs. Bennett Jenson and Shin-je Ghim, two papillomavirus vaccinologists, who have primary appointments at John Graham Brown Cancer Center and the Division of Marine Mammal Research and Conservation at HARBOR BRANCH. Approximately 20% of the fellow's time will be at HARBOR BRANCH. At HARBOR BRANCH the fellow will be responsible for coordinating tissue and blood collection from affected manatees and dolphins in Florida. Tissue evaluation of manatees and dolphins will be done with the resident comparative pathologist at HARBOR BRANCH. At HARBOR BRANCH the fellow also may participate in dolphin health assessment studies and clinical manatee research. Additionally, the fellow will be asked to present at least two abstracts at national or international marine mammal professional meetings and an annual formal presentation on the HARBOR BRANCH campus.

Applicants must possess a Ph.D. or D.V.M. and M.S. or equivalent degrees. Selection of the successful applicant will be based on a combination of academic, relevant interest and experience, and an assessment of the candidate's career goals and objectives. The stipend is currently $35,000 annually, and the fellowship is non-renewable.

Interested candidates should forward a single package containing a letter of intent, C.V., official academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation and a completed application (to be posted) to :

Gregory D. Bossart, V.M.D, Ph.D.
c/o Personnel Services
Harbor Branch Institution, Inc.
5600 US 1 North
Ft. Pierce, FL
34946

Please note that it is the applicant's responsibility to submit a single (1) complete package of application documents, as multiple submissions will not be processed.

The application deadline is October 31, 2003. No applications will be accepted after October 31, 2003.