Education
2001 Ph.D. (Biology), King’s College-University of London, England
1995 M.S. (Biology), Florida State University, Florida, Tallahassee, Florida
1987 B.S. (Biology & Marine Science), Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida

Daniel McCarthy, Ph.D., is the Co-Principal Investigator of the project and has, in conjunction with UNF investigators, overseen all research activities associated with the project. Dr. McCarthy is an Assistant Professor of Biology and Marine Science at JU. He is the Director of the JU Marine Science Program and a Research Associate with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. His research interests lie in the areas of marine benthic ecology, nearshore reef ecology, and the reproduction and life-history ecology of marine invertebrates. He has investigated a number of seasonal ecological interactions involving invertebrate, fish, and algal species found within estuarine and marine habitats throughout Florida. He has conducted marine research abroad in the Bahamas and Caribbean Islands, Pacific Ocean, and a number of locations in Europe.

Dr. McCarthy, along with three Investigators and two JU Undergraduate Research Assistants,  co-ordinated obtaining, compiling, and reviewing data related to biotic assemblages found in the Lower Basin of the St. Johns River. Dr. McCarthy  (along with  Dr. Pyati) co-ordinated the overall activities of the River Report project, and authored the Fisheries and Macrobenthic Invertebrates sections.

Dr. McCarthy's research interestes are marine benthic ecology; nearshore reef ecology; reproduction and life-history ecology of marine invertebrates; biology of sabellariid polychaetes, poriferans and echinoderms.

Education
1998 M.E.M. (Coastal Environmental Management), Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
1995 B.S. (Liberal Studies), University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida

Heather McCarthy has a broad background in coastal zone management, marine and estuarine science, and environmental policy.  Her technical experience includes habitat conservation planning, environmental assessments, benthic invertebrate and barrier island vegetation surveys, water quality monitoring, management of exotic species, and web design.  She focuses on coastal environmental management with concentrations on marine conservation biology and invasion ecology.  She specializes in environmental communication, facilitating public meetings, building consensus among diverse stakeholders, and scientific writing.

Associate Research Scientist
Marine Science Research Institute
Jacksonville University
2800 University Blvd. N.
Jacksonville, FL 32211-3394
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: (904) 256-7338
Fax: (904) 256-7573
Manatee Hotline: (904) 256-7575

Education
1993 Ph.D. (Fisheries & Allied Aquacultures), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
1991. (Master of Aquaculture), Auburn University, Auburn, Albama
1988. B.S.  (Fishery Science), Plymouth Polytechnic, Plymouth, England

Gerard F. Pinto, Ph.D. is an Associate Research Scientist at the Marine Science Research Institute at Jacksonville University. Over the past decade he helped to develop and implement State approved Manatee Protection Plans for Duval and Clay Counties.  He is a consultant to the City of Jacksonville Waterways Commission and conducts research to monitor manatee populations in northeast Florida.  Gerry has worked to raise public awareness about manatee issues through the Manatee Research Center Online (MARCO) web site, safe boating and speed zone advisory guides, educational seminars, TV and print media.  He conducts aerial surveys and manages a manatee Geographic Information System data base of aerial sightings. He has conducted research in habitat mapping for manatees and gopher tortoises, water quality monitoring, ecosystem restoration, vessel traffic and compliance studies, near water surface acoustical studies, and manatee scar patterns.  In addition, he has a background in fisheries and aquaculture and has conducted research, teaching or work on commercial fish production systems and marketing in the Caribbean, Kenya and the U.S.  His future research interests include fisheries sampling and the impact of freshwater withdrawals, sea level rise and harbor deepening activities on the flora and fauna of the Lower St. Johns River Basin.

Gerard Pinto gathered, evaluated data for, and authored the sections on Submerged Aquatic Vegetation and Federally Endangered & Threatened Species (Manatees, Bald Eagles, Wood Storks, Shortnose Sturgeon, Piping Plover, Florida Scrub-jay and Eastern Indigo Snake).

Education
1989 Ph.D. (Environmental Sciences and Engineering – Water Chemistry), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
1984 M.S. (Environmental Engineering and Sciences – Water Chemistry), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
1980 B.A. (Chemistry and Biology), University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida

Lucy Sonnenberg, Ph.D. is an investigator on the River Report project being responsibie for evaluating contamination of the St. Johns River with toxic chemicals. Four classes of important contaminants comprising 40 chemicals were examined and assessed for toxic impact on benthic organisms. She has also provided information on local actions to improve the LSJR ecosystem and various management activities.

Dr. Sonnenbergs research focuses on fate and effects of organochlorine contaminants in water and sediment, bioavailability and bioaccumulation of contaminants, carbon and nitrogen cycling in natural and wastewater systems, and effects of natural organic matter on pollutant fates and effects.