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  Faculty
Charles (Chuck) J. Gregory, Ph.D.; Chairman
I received my Doctorate degree in the field of Marine Biology from the University of Maine in 1990. My research included participation on six oceanographic cruises into the Gulf of Maine, and involved identifying, counting and measuring over 200 species of plankton. In addition to having a Ph.D., I received a Master of Science degree in Science Education from the University of Maine in 1982 and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New England in 1980. Working at SMCC has enabled me to combine my science and education degrees to excel at teaching marine and environmental sciences. I was honored to be the first SMCC recipient of the Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Faculty Award. As I enter my tenth year at SMCC I am currently teaching General Biology, Ecology, and Anatomy Physiology.
Robert E. Siegel, B.S., M.S.
I have a Bachelors Degree in Biology from Brooklyn College and a Masters Degree in Marine Biology from Hofstra University. In my 38 years teaching at SMCC I have taught the following courses: Marine Invertebrate Zoology, Ecology, General Oceanography, Physical & Geological Oceanography, Marine Biology, Food Science Biology, and Seatime 1, 2, 3 and 4. My main areas of interest are marine invertebrate taxonomy and maintaining live marine and freshwater organisms in aquaria for scientific study. I am currently compiling a computerized database of all of the marine invertebrates collected by my students over the past 38 years.
David T. Bernstein, PhD
David T. Bernstein received his PhD from the University of New Hampshire in the discipline of chemistry in the area of analytical organic chemistry. He has taught General Chemistry, Wastewater Chemistry and Environmental Sampling. Current research interests include studying elevated levels of copper in the algal species Ascophylum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus as related to the proximity of marinas and boat yards, and the determination of the chemical constituents of the web of orb web spiders.
Brian Tarbox, AS, BS, MS
Professor Tarbox graduated from the Applied Marine Biology and Oceanography program at SMCC in 1971 and went on to earn a Master of Science in Zoology from the University of Maine. He has worked in all aspects of the commercial fishing, commercial diving and aquaculture industries, in Maine and around the USA. In addition to his academic achievements, Professor Tarbox is certified as a fisheries scientist by the American Fisheries Society, and holds a 100 ton Coast Guard Master’s license.

Professor Tarbox teaches General Biology, Fisheries Science, Aquaculture Techniques, Nautical Science and Seatime. His current research interests include lobster recruitment studies to understand the biology of the lobster population in Casco Bay, and the use of molecular biology to solve fisheries problems .
Elizabeth Ehrenfeld
Elizabeth Ehrenfeld has been teaching at SMCC since the fall of 2001. She holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Michigan and a BA in Biological Sciences from Cornell University. Dr. Ehrenfeld lived in Switzerland for 5 years doing post-doctoral work in bacterial genetics at the University of Geneva Medical School, and the Nestle corporate research center. She moved to Maine to work for IDEXX Laboratories where she developed diagnostic tests for the food industry. She has written numerous scientific papers, and has several patents on detection of bacteria in drinking water and food. She is a founding member of Mainely Women in Science, and currently serves on the board of the Biotech Association of Maine. She is also a member of the Maine Board of Environmental Protection.

Outside of the scientific world, Dr. Ehrenfeld is a Registered Maine Guide who enjoys many outdoor pursuits, including sea kayaking, cross-country skiing, and hiking. Dr. Ehrenfeld is a past President of Portland Trails, and currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Appalachian Mountain Club.
  Curt Cyr
Curt Cyr received a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and Pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island in 1988. He continued his studies at New York University and received a Master of Science in Cell Biology and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology in 1994. He then extended his training with two post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Washington and Maine Medical Center Research Institute. The work performed during his training focused on endothelin (a potent vasoconstrictor), opiate receptors, potassium channels and fibroblast growth factor. He is currently the Chair of the Pharmacy Technician program and also teaches anatomy and physiology.
  Dennis Leaver, MS, RT(T)
Chairman of the Radiation Therapy Department

I received my Master's degree in the field of Education from the University of Southern Maine in 1992. In addition to having a Master's degree, I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the same university in 1988 and a Certificate in Radiation Therapy from Harvard Medical School in 1981. Working at SMCC has enabled me to combine my science background and educational degrees to teach a variety of science courses. Since my first book was published in 1996, I have authored and/or co-edited six others, involving extensive work in the field of Radiation Oncology with emphasis on Anatomy and Physiology, because it continues to play an important role in Oncology. As I enter my twenty-first year at SMCC I am currently teaching Radiation Oncology, Clinical Dosimetry, Clinical Practicum and Anatomy Physiology.
  Margaret (Meg) E. Coleman, Ph.D.
I received my Ph.D. in Geology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1996. My research focused on the tectonic evolution of mountain belts. For my dissertation I researched the evolution of the central Himalayas, which included three field seasons of geologic mapping in Nepal. I used a combination of structural geology, metamorphic petrology, and radiogenic – isotopic dating to constrain the timing and geometry of the mountain building processes in the Himalayas. After graduate school I taught earth science for four years at Eastern Connecticut State University before moving to Maine. For the past three years I have been writing environmental science curriculum as a consultant for the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and for the American Geological Institute. I am excited to be involved with the new Environmental Science and Technology program at SMCC and look forward to teaching again.
  David W. Groft, MS
I received my Bachelors of Science in Biology from Bethany College in 1989, and my Masters of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology from West Virginia University in 1992. For my thesis I isolated and characterized a 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase from Brassica oleracea. I currently supervise the molecular genetics laboratory at the Foundation for Blood Research where my primary responsibility is managing the cystic fibrosis screening program. As an adjunct professor at SMCC, I enjoy teaching Microbiology.
 

Chris Hoffmann, B.A., M.S.
Classification – Homo sapiens botanicum mycophilicum sustainabilitum Casco Bayensis (Hoffmann).
Identification – short, agile, bipedal hominid with apparently decreasing amounts of curly, hair-like fur on scalp.
Evolutionary history – fossilized records of ancestral forms unearthed in central New York state and Boston; includes undergraduate degrees in English and psychology; most intellectual speciation in the greater Portland area; about 10 ybp (years before present) the Master of Science in Environmental Biology evolved; subsequent expressions include field ecologist via natural resource inventories of sites in the Casco Bay watershed, conservation commission member in South Portland and Freeport, and teacher of interdisciplinary course, Nature and Culture, and biology courses such as Natural History of the Casco Bay Bioregion.
Habitat – most diurnal habitat restricted to cavity nesting and academic foraging in the Learning Assistance Center; prefers green spaces on college campuses, libraries and bakeries; sometimes found in trees; returns nightly to forested area near Harraseeket River in upper Casco Bay
Behavior and Diet – often pedals bicycle to and from campus; omnivore – prefers nuts, fruits and baked goods with coffee.
Conservation threats – automobile predation of bicyclists; habitat loss due to parking lot expansions; invasive, pseudoscientific pathogens such as intelligent design

Maine Marine Education at SMCC. For more information, contact us at info@mainemarineeducation.org
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