Gregorio B. Begonia, Ph.D.
Interim Chair, Department of Biology
Professor of Biology

Tel. 601-979-3902
601-979-2586
Fax. (601) 979-2349
Email: gregorio.begonia@jsums.edu

School of Science and Technology
College of Science, Engineering and Technology

Marine Science

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Dr. Kenneth Goldman

My research interests are focused on the physiological ecology, fisheries biology and management of marine animals, mostly teleost and elasmobranch fishes. I conduct studies on age and growth, demography, as well as movement patterns and behavioral ecology. One of my major focuses has been on the thermal physiology and behavioral adaptations of endothermic sharks living in temperate and boreal waters. I am also involved in research that focuses on the effects of physiological stress on gamefishes from angling and commercial fishing.

Dr. Paulinus Chigbu

My research interests are broad including, fisheries and zooplankton ecology, predator-prey interactions, trophic dynamics, environmental risks assessments and aquaculture. I have worked in various aquatic environments ranging from reservoirs and coastal rivers in the tropics, to a cold temperate lake, and estuaries in the subtropics. Recent work in our laboratory has focused on the use of an integrative systems approach to assess environmental risks in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region in order to understand, predict and mitigate the effects of natural and anthropogenic factors on the coastal environment. Specifically, we are developing a flood modeling and prediction tool for the Pearl River, a decision support tool for oyster management in Mississippi Sound, and a hurricane storm surge prediction tool for the Mississippi Gulf Coast region. In addition, we are examining the effects of climate variations on finfish and shellfish population abundance, as well as on fecal coliform dynamics and shellfish management in Mississippi Sound. We are also studying mysid ecology in the nearshore areas of Mississippi Sound, particularly to understand the influence of physico-chemical factors, habitat alterations and predation on mysid abundance and species composition.
Furthermore, we are isolating and culturing various zooplankton species for rearing larvae of marine fish. In our laboratory, we have isolated a marine species of rotifer, Colurella sp., and a copepod species, Acartia sp. from Mississippi Gulf Coast waters. At present we are defining optimal conditions for mass culturing them in the laboratory for use in rearing red snapper larvae.