Left to Right: Rachel Ransom, "Ty" Rubin, Jenn Smith, Amy Hupp ('06)

Jeffrey Carrier, Ph.D., Laboratory Director

W. W. Diehl Professor of Biology

B.S., 1971, M.S., 1973, Ph.D., University of Miami, 1974.

Appointed: 1979

Research Interests:

Dr. Carrier is a physiologist whose primary research interests concern aging, growth, migration, and reproductive biology of nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) in the Florida Keys. Carrier and his colleagues have systematically studied a breeding population of sharks for more than a dozen years and have documented the relationship between the breeding population and the research site, now a protected area. The studies have further revealed the gestation period for this species, demonstrated multiple paternity in litters, and have begun to unravel an intricate social order in this little studied group of marine fish. His most recent investigations have employed remote sensing technologies to track short and long-term movements of sharks and, in collaboration with the Remote Imaging Laboratory of the National Geographic Society, have used animal-borne video and data recording systems (CritterCam) to explore more intimate aspects of shark mating behaviors. Carrier and his students have appeared in 15 shows produced for network and cable television ranging from National Geographic Explorer, CritterCam Chronicles, and Discovery Channel specials to Florida Public Television documentaries and segments for Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures and Fox's Wild Animal Moments.

Carol A. Carrier, Research Associate

Working in Lab Since: January 1991

Project Skills and Interests: Photography, Boat Operations, Surface Video of Field Projects Captive Maintenance.

Rachel T. Ransom, Research Assistant

Graduation Year: 2008

Hometown: Midland, MI

Major: Biology (Pre-Med Concentration)

Minor(s):Chemistry, Studio Art

Working in Lab Since:December 2005

Research Interests: Behavioral Studies, Hematology, and Plastination

Lindsay "ty" Rubin, Research Assistant

Graduation Year: 2007

Hometown: Orchard Lake, MI

Major: Psychology (Neuroscience and Pre-Med Concentration)

Minor(s): Cell & Molecular Biology, Religious Studies

Working in Lab Since: August 2005

Research Interests: Neurophysiology, Sensory Biology

Jennifer E. Smith, Research Assistant

Graduation Year: 2007

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Major:Psychology (Pre-Med Concentration)

Minor(s): Art, Chemistry

Working in Lab Since: December 2005

Research Interests:Neurophysiology, Sensory Biology