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Jennifer L Specker

Professor of Oceanography

336 Coastal Institute

jspecker@gso.uri.edu

401-874-6858

http://www.gso.uri.edu/fishendocrinologylab/

Educational Background

Ph.D., Fisheries and Wildlife M.A., Zoology B.A., Psychology

Oregon State University Oregon State University Miami University, Ohio

1980 1977 1973

Areas of Specialization

Research

Jennifer Specker is a fish endocrinologist specializing in the metamorphosis of flounder, the reproductive biology of commercially important marine fishes, the endocrine regulation of the gut and gills during development and adaptation, and stress and anesthetics in marine fishes.

Teaching

Animal Behavior (BIO 467), Endocrinology (BIO 445/545), Independent Research (OCG 493, 494)

Outreach

Co-director of Center of Excellence in Marine Life Science, National Science Foundation, Rhode Island EPSCoR; Associate Director, Coastal Institute

Students

Jason Breves Steve Gavlik Bruno Soffientino Diane Nacci Catalina Martinez Alex Schreiber Courtney Casey Liyue Huang Edward Baker Karla Johanning Philip Veillette

M.S. Ph.D. Ph.D. Ph.D. M.S. Ph.D. M.S. Ph.D. M.S. Ph.D. M.S.

2006 2004 2003 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993

Publications:

Breves JP, Veillette PA, Specker JL. 2009. Ghrelin in the summer flounder: Immunolocalization to the gastric glands and action on plasma cortisol levels. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 152, 268-272.

Veillette PA, Serrano X, Garcia MM, Specker JL. 2007. Evidence for the onset of feedback regulation of cortisol in larval summer flounder. General and Comparative Endocrinology 154, 105-110.

Veillette PA, Merino M, Marcaccio ND, Garcia MM, Specker JL. 2007. Cortisol is necessary for seawater tolerance in larvae of a marine teleost the summer flounder. General and Comparative Endocrinology 151, 116-121.

Veillette PA, Breves JP, Reardon DR, Specker JL. 2006. Adaptation for water balance in the partial gastrointestinal tract of summer flounder. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 143, 211-217.

Breves JP, Specker JL. 2005. Cortisol stress response of juvenile winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus, Walbaum) to predators. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 325, 1-7.

Veillette, P.A., White, R.J., Specker, J.L., and Young, G. 2005. Osmoregulatory physiology of pyloric ceca: regulated and adaptive changes in chinook salmon. Journal Experimental Zoology, 303A: 608-613.

Presentations:

Specker, J.L. (2008). The Road. Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Coconut Island. Pauley Program.