College of Veterinary Medicine

Education:

BS, Marine Biology, Southhampton College, Long Island University, NY, 1999

Honors and Awards:

First Place Outernet Technologies International Award. Presented at the 29th Ann. Intl. Marine Animal Trainers Assoc. Conf., 2001

First Place Award for Advances in Education and Conservation. Presented at the 29th Ann. Intl. Marine Animal Trainers Assoc. Conf., 2001

First Place Award for Research Advancements. Presented at the 31st Ann. Intl. Marine Animal Trainers Assoc. Conf., 2003

David Mann, Gordon Bauer, Debborah Colbert, Joseph Gaspard, Roger Reep. Sound Localization Abilities of the West Indian Manatee, FMRI, $150,000, 3 years, Requested 2003, granted 2004

Editor’s Choice Award. Presented at the 32nd Ann. Intl. Marine Animal Trainers Assoc. Conf., 2004

Second Place - Outernet Technologies International Award. Presented at the 32nd Ann. Intl. Marine Animal Trainers Assoc. Conf., 2004

First Place Award for Research Advancements. Presented at the 32nd Ann. Intl. Marine Animal Trainers Assoc. Conf., 2004

Editor’s Choice Award. Presented at the 33rd Ann. Intl. Marine Animal Trainers Assoc. Conf., 2005

Current Research:

The focus of my research is the sensory processes and physiological adaptations of marine animals, primarily manatees. Manatees have several unique characteristics that are of interest. One of which is the presence of sinus hairs that are tactile in nature found post-cranially on the body of manatees. These hairs may be a component of a full-body sensory array that could detect hydrodynamic stimuli, analogous to the lateral line system on a fish. The primary mode of conducting our research is to train animals utilizing positive reinforcement, operant-conditioning techniques to participate in these behavioral-based research projects.

Laboratory Experience:

• Chemical component analysis
• Generation of unique software programming for multi-faceted analysis

Selected Publications:

For Publications Extracted From Medline Click HERE

Adimey, N.M., Abernathy, K., Gaspard, J.C., and Marshall, G. Meeting the manatee challenge: The feasibility of using CRITTERCAM on wild manatees. Marine Tech. Society J. 41(4):14-18. 2007-08.

Walsh, C.J., Stuckey, J.E., Cox, H., Smith, B., Funke, C., Stott, J., Colle, C., Gaspard, J., and Manire, C.A. Production of nitric oxide by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris. Vet. Immunology and Immunopathology 118:199-209. 2007.

Gaspard, J.C., Colbert, D.C., Bauer, G.B., Reep, R., and Mann, D. Tactile discrimination by Florida manatees, Trichechus manatus latirostris. Soundings 32: . 2006.

Mann, D., Colbert, D.E., Gaspard, J.C., Casper, B., Cook, M.L.H., Reep, R.L., and Bauer, G.B. Temporal resolution of the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) auditory system. J. Comp. Physiol. A. Neuroethol. Sens. Neural. Behav. Physiol. 191:903-908. 2005.

Gaspard, J.C. and Colbert, D. Research Advancements Through Training: Learning About Manatees. Soundings 29:4-5. 2004.

Bauer, G.B., Colbert, D.E., Gaspard, J.C., Littlefield, B., and Fellner, W. Underwater visual acuity of Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Intl. J. Comparative Psychology 16:130-142. 2003.