Whitney Laboratory Visiting Scientists

Opportunities for Visiting
Investigators

Laboratory space
Aquarium facilites
Housing
Molecular core facility
Imaging facility, including confocal
Histology faciltiy
Tissue culture facility
Close proximity to every coastal ecosystem in Florida except coral reefs

Visiting investigators contribute significantly to the academic life of the Whitney Laboratory. Each year investigators from other institutions come to collaborate with resident faculty. Some work within the existing research programs and provide complementary expertise, but laboratory space and facilities are also available for independent investigators, and fees are competitive. Scientists interested in working with a particular research group should contact that group's principal investigator; scientists interested in independent research at the Lab should contact the director, Dr. Peter Anderson.

In addition to the individual research units, several common-use facilities have been established to serve the Laboratory community.

The 3,300 sq. ft. Molecular Genetics Laboratory is amply equipped with modern, sophisticated instrumentation to enable Whitney Lab scientists and visitors to incorporate the capabilities and tools of molecular biology into their research. This facility was made possible by funds from the National Science Foundation.
The histology facility possesses up-to-date equipment for the preparation of histological sections of fresh, frozen, paraffin-embedded or plastic-embedded tissues.
The adjacent microscope facility is equipped for state-of-the-art optical analyses including confocal, bright- and dark-field, fluorescence, Nomarski, and phase-contrast microscopy.
The cell culture facility is equipped for establishing and maintaining invertebrate and vertebrate cell cultures at temperatures ranging from 4 to 37 degrees C in a controlled, sterile environment.
The various aquarium facilities include a group of large outdoor tanks (some covered), an indoor aquarium room, and an experimental aquarium facility with controlled lighting and temperature-regulated running seawater.
The 17,000 square foot, two-story Center for Marine Studies houses the rapidly growing educational/outreach programs and enables the Lab to offer courses and workshops for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students. The CMS features teaching labs, an aquarium room and a docent lounge to house the elementary school program, Day at the Whitney Lab. On the second floor, a classroom and large teaching lab is dedicated to high school and university level programs and specialized courses for students of all ages. Additional features include the 300-seat, tiered Lohman Auditorium for public lectures, scientific meetings and concerts, the Lastinger Family Foundation Interactive Area, a large reception area, plus locker rooms for participants in field trips. This building is available for rent.
Collecting gear and an experienced collector with a small boat are available.
Facilities and technical staff are also available for photography, videography, artwork, electronics, computer programming, and shopwork. The computer and electronics shop is staffed by a full-time computer analyst.