The Home Page of Steven L. Manley

Welcome!  I am a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at California State University, Long Beach, having been on the faculty since 1988. I am one of several faculty members in the Department contributing to the marine biology program. I am on sabbatical leave for the academic year 2008. 

Background                               Research Interests              Research Opportunities  

Graduate Students                Courses Taught                      Links

Research Interests

My research  interests are in the area of marine algal physiology and biochemistry (see Selected Publications & Presentations). I am particularly interested in the physiology of kelps (Order Laminariales), algal halogen metabolism, and the biogeochemistry of halogens in the marine environment. My lab has been investigating the dynamics of algal halomethane production focusing on methyl iodide, methylene bromide and bromoform. We have been elucidating the physiological and environmental factors that influence this process using both phytoplankton and seaweeds. Recently I have expanded my study of halomethane bio-production to include coastal salt marsh halophytes and other angiosperms. I have openings in my lab for both undergraduate and graduate students (see Research Opportunities).

Background

Under the direction of Dr. David J. Chapman, I received my Ph.D. in Biology (1978)  from UCLA. He introduced me to the unique halogenated natural products of marine algae. It was in his lab that I became interested in algal halogen metabolism which resulted in my dissertation research on bromophenol biosynthesis in the red alga Odonthalia floccosa. I was a Research Fellow in the laboratory of  Dr. Wheeler J. North at Caltech's Kerckhoff Marine Laboratory in Corona del Mar, CA. My association with Dr. North resulted in a deep appreciation of the marine environment and fascination with the physiological ecology of kelps, especially the giant kelp Macrocystis. He introduced me to Dr. Minoo Dastoor, a research director at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who was extremely interested in the source of atmospheric halocarbons, especially the monohalomethanes (methyl halides). Thus began my research of marine algal production of halomethanes. Except for a brief foray into agar biosynthesis and production with a small company in Santa Cruz, CA, which no longer exists, I have been investigating marine algal halomethane production ever since.

Courses Taught Since 2000

Biology 153, Introduction to Marine Biology, Fall and Spring semesters.

Biology 211B, Biological Sciences II, Spring semesters.

Biology 425, Phycology Fall and Spring semesters.

Biology 428/528, Biology of Giant Kelp, Spring odd years.

Biology 496 Undergraduate Directed Research, as requested.                                                                                 

Biology 697 Directed Research (graduate), as required.

---

Graduate Students                                                                                                                                                     

The Masters Degree is the terminal graduate degree at CSULB. The Department offers the Master of Science in Biology by thesis. Presently two graduate student are pursuing their degree under my direction. 

Chia Yu Lin - The Role of  DOC in the Formation of  Polyhalomethanes by Marine Algae; started Fall 2006. PDF file  

Laurel Fink; Detection of Coastal Pollution Sources Based on Metal Levels in Kelp Sieve Tube Sap; started Fall 2006 PDF file

Valerie Hill - External Bromoperoxidases of Marine Diatoms PDF file; March 2008. Recipient of the Kenneth Johnson Award for Outstanding Thesis in Life Sciences. Administrative Director & Co-Educational Director, Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium, Manhattan Beach, CA.

Yvette J. Ralph - Spatial and Temporal Variation in the Tissue Halide Content of the Coastal Salt Marsh Halophyte, Salicornia virginica. August 2004. Staff Research Biologist, UCSB.

Jeff J. Layne - The Biochemical Interaction Between the Giant Kelp Macrocystis pyrifera and Its Bacterial Epiphytes; December 1999. Ph.D. in Pharmacology, University of Vermont.

Katherine M. Prickett - Analysis of the Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) Bioassay in Effluent Monitoring : Effect of Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonium, and Phosphate on Spore Germination; May 1999.  Presently Environmental Specialist, Port of Los Angeles.

Pebble E. Brockette (Barbero) - "Physiological and Environmental Constraints on Bromoform Production in Ulva lactuca; May 1998. Adjunct faculty member, Richland College, Dallas TX.

John L. de la Cuesta - The Role of Marine Phytoplankton in the Biogeochemical Cycling of Iodine; May 1996.Recipient of the Kenneth Johnson Award for Outstanding Thesis in Life Sciences. Presently Science Safety Officer, College of Natural Sciences, CSULB.

"At base, science is no more than an investigation of a miracle we can never explain, and art is an interpretation of that miracle"  

Ray Bradbury, The Martian Chronicles.