Mark during proficiency training on a Kirby Morgan Hard Hat and Underwater Tow Sled

Mark Butler received his B.S. in Biology and Chemical Science from the Florida State University in 1999. There he studied Lobster carapace lesions until pursuing employment at his archrival, the University of Florida, in 2000. As a biologist working for Dr. William J. Lindberg, Mark studies gag grouper on an artificial reef system placed in the Gulf of Mexico, called the Suwannee Regional Reef System. Duties include science diving, fish counting, collection, boat handling, teaching, and equipment repair. Mark also currently teaches for the University of Florida Academic Diving Program and is an AAUS certified Science Diver. In the fall of 2001, Mark decided to further his education and pursue a Master's Degree under Dr. Lindberg and Dr. Doran Mason (NOAA GLERL). Mark is currently working on adapting a technique for determining the metabolism of gag grouper in-situ. This technique focuses on the Electron Transport System activity as a measure of metabolism. Once the technique is perfected, he will use it to determine if metabolic rates of gag differ as a function of habitat size (artificial reef size).

e-mail: scubadiv@ufl.edu