Paul Anderson is a Ph.D. Student and Alumni Fellow pursuing his degree under the Chairmanship of Dr. Bill Lindberg. Paul's research interests include sensory, behavioral, and physiological considerations in marine ornamental aquaculture. For his dissertation research, Paul is exploring the effects of ambient noise from filtration systems on the health, welfare, and reproduction of the lined seahorse, Hippocampus erectus. Paul's project is multidisciplinary in nature and taps into the fields of ethology, neurobiology, stress physiology, and fish health to ask a fundamental question: Does noise bother fish in aquaria? Paul's undergraduate education in marine science at Eckerd College and his experiences as a professional aquarist at Mote marine Aquarium and The Pier Aquarium have led to his interests in pursuing graduate research in the field. Paul's long term goals are to explore questions and problems in the field of marine ornamental aquaculture using a scientific approach, and to disseminate knowledge to all stakeholders via informal, undergraduate, and graduate education, publication in technical, industry, and hobbyist literature, and through the development of exhibits and educational programs in public aquaria.

Paul Anderson Ph.D. Dissertation Project:
"Sound, Stress, Sex, and Seahorses: The Consequences of a Noisy Environment on Animal Welfare" (pdf)

e-mail: chromis@ufl.edu
updated: Jan. 31, 2006