Faculty of the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science

Dr. Jim Reed
Research Interests

Bottlenose dolphin occurrence and utilization of Chesapeake Bay tributaries.  It involves extensive boat time observing dolphin behavior, movement and group dynamics.  We also do photo ID comparing photographs of dorsal fins of dolphins seen on our cruises.  This technique allows us to identify individual dolphins and to compare the animals we have seen with those photographed by other researchers along the east and gulf coasts.   I plan to continue this work, but I need both graduate and undergraduate students to help in all aspects of the research.

Water quality in urban lakes.  Many of these lakes serve as stormwater detention basins and as such, are supposed to capture and detain various chemicals, especially nutrients so that they don’t enter the natural waters of the Chesapeake Bay region.  Field work is an integral part of this effort, as is chemical analysis.  Students interested in this research should be proficient in basic analytical chemistry.  There is a proposal to study Lake Maury in detail, including watershed and engineering aspects.  Our part would be sampling and analyzing water from various locations and depths in a seasonal pattern to characterize the overall water quality of the lake.  Biological studies would use the baseline water quality  information to assist in interpretation of floral and faunal associations and ecological  evaluations.

GRADUATE STUDENT PROJECTS

1.     Seawater Effects on the Aqueous Solubility and Polymerization of Styrene Monomer.
        Thesis by Eric Miller.

2.     Feeding Behavior of Bottlenose Dolphins in the Elizabeth River, Virginia.
        Thesis by Laura Stepp.

3.     Investigation of Composition, Fragmentation, and Resuspension of Chaff.
        Thesis by Brenda Cook.

4.     Fecundity of Striped Bass From the York River system
        Thesis by George Wojick.

5.     Bottlenose Dolphin Utilization of the Elizabeth River, VA
        Thesis by Kevin Foss.

6.     Fecundity and Growth of Mummichugs in the Elizabeth River, VA
        Thesis in preparation by Greg Mears.

7.     Water Quality of a Unique Urban Borrow Pit Lake.
        Thesis in preparation by Deanna Dodson.