Michael Finiguerra Ph.D.
University of Connecticut Avery Point; ACD 102
Michael.finiguerra@uconn.edu; http://finiguerra.eeb.uconn.edu (website not up to date)
(Please Note: I legally changed my name from Michael Pagano in spring 2007)
Professional and Leadership Experience:
Professor in Residence Fall 2024- current
Associate Professor in Residence Fall 2019- 2024
Assistant Professor in Residence Fall 2014- 2019
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department
Joint Appointment: Department of Marine Sciences
University of Connecticut-Avery Point Campus
Leadership Fellowship Spring-Summer 2022
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
University of Connecticut UConn Today Article
Program Creator and Director
Campus Change Peer Mentor Program
Dean of Students Office Fall 2024- Current
CLAS Spring 2022- Fall 2024
(Formerly: FIRST-Fostering Ideal Regional Student Transitions)
Mentoring Coordinator Spring 2021-Spring 2023
UConn Avery Point
Faculty Affiliate (formerly Assistant Director) Fall 2017-current
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
University of Connecticut
Co-Director Summer 2017-2023
Mystic Aquarium-University of Connecticut
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program
National Science Foundation; PI from UConn
Adjunct Professor-Biology Spring 2013-Spring 2014
Sacred Heart University; Fairfield, CT
Post-Doctoral Researcher Fall 2013-Summer 2014
Dr. HG Dam Laboratory
University of Connecticut-Department of Marine Sciences; Groton, CT
Education:
University of Connecticut, CT Fall 2007- Summer 2013
Ph.D. -Oceanography, GPA 3.92
Title: “Determining the Role of a Novel Sodium Channel Mutation on Tolerance to Paralytic Shellfish Toxins in the Marine Copepod Acartia hudsonica”
Thesis Advisor- Dr. Hans G Dam; Department of Marine Sciences
Stony Brook University, NY Fall 2004-Spring 2007
M.S. – Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, GPA 3.53
Title: “Effect of dissolved seawater components and exposures to non-receptive bacterial cells on virion decay”
Thesis Advisor- Dr. Gordon T. Taylor; School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences
State University of New York at Geneseo Fall 2000-Spring 2004
B.S. Biology; Minor: Chemistry, GPA 3.1
Academic and Research Advisor/Mentor: Dr. Isidro Bosch
Research Experiences for Undergraduates, Student Participant Summer 2002
Title: “Sediment geochemistry of New York, USA, and Venice, Italy, marshes-Accumulation rates and trace metal profiles.”
Advisor: Dr. Kirk Cochran and Dr. Pere Masque; Stony Brook University
Research Funding:
Funded:
Finiguerra, M., Redden, J. (PIs); $ 21,430
Audette, D., Cooley, J., Divino, J., Herrick, S., Kline, E., Kraemer, C., Santoferrara, L., Spurling, C., Trumbo, S., (Co-PIs)
UCONN College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Fall 2021-Spring 2022)
Title: UConn FIRST in Biology: Fostering Ideal Regional Student Transitions in Biology
Scanlon, E. (PI), Kleinman, J. (Co-PI), Finiguerra, M. (Co-PI). $8,000
UCONN College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Oct. 4, 2021)
Title: Avery Point STEM Faculty Learning Community about Disability
Dam, H. (PI), Finiguerra, M. (Co-PI) $150,000
Connecticut Sea Grant; R/OA-3 2/1/2022 to 1/31/2024
Title:Copepod Adaptation to Climate Change: No Free Lunch?
Romano, T (PI- Mystic Aquarium), Finiguerra, M. (Co-PI) $419, 831
National Science Foundation: Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU); Biological and Biological Oceanography Directorate (Renewal Site award; I am PI from UConn) 2021-2023*
Title: REU Site Mystic Aquarium: Collaborative Research: Plankton to Whales: Consequences of Global Change within Marine Ecosystems”
(*start date pushed back one year due to Covid-19)
Romano, T (PI- Mystic Aquarium), Finiguerra, M. (Co-PI) $283,000
National Science Foundation: Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU); Biological and Biological Oceanography Directorate (New Site award; I am PI from UConn) 2017-2019
Title: REU Site Mystic Aquarium: Collaborative Research: Investigating the Consequences of Global Change on Marine Animals and their Ecosystems”
Finiguerra, M. (PI), Gabriel, R. (Co-PI) $149, 905
Connecticut Sea Grant 2016-2018 Omnibus; 02/01/2016-01/31/2018;
Title: “Integrating research and practice in promoting coastal literacy in high school classrooms: A collaborative approach among teachers, education researchers, and coastal scientists”
Dam, HG (PI), Finiguerra, M. (Co-PI), Baumann, H. (Co-PI) $149,969
Connecticut Sea Grant 2016-2018 Omnibus; 02/01/2016-01/31/2018”; Title: “Predicting the Performance of the Copepod Acartia tonsa under future conditions of temperature and CO2”
Dam, HG (PI), Finiguerra, M. (Co-PI), Baumann, H. (Co-PI),
Pespenni, M. (Co-PI; UVM) $509, 684
National Science Foundation/OCE; 03/01/2016-02/28/2019;
Title: “Collaborative research: Transgenerational phenotypic and genomic responses of marine copepods to the interactive effects of temperature and CO2”
Dam, HG (PI), and Finiguerra, M.* $ 128,732
CT Sea Grant: February 2014- January 2016
Title: “The Effect of Timing and Duration of Climatic Heat Waves in Long Island Sound to a Zooplankton Population.”
*Lead Author; Post-Docs at UConn cannot be PI
Dam, H.G. (PI), Finiguerra, M.*, Avery, D.E. (Co-PI), Lin, S. (Co-PI), Anderson, P. Co-PI),
NSF- Integrative Organismal Systems 3/10-3/13 $ 571,876
Title: “Collaborative Research: Costs and Advantages of a Novel Sodium Channel Mutation in Copepods” *Co-Author of proposal; UConn graduate students cannot be Co-PI
Awards and Nominations:
Awards:
Provost’s Award for Outstanding Service: Emerging Spring 2024
Excellence in Teaching:
UConn College of Liberal Arts and Science Faculty award Spring 2020
UConn AAUP Excellence in Teaching Early Career Spring 2019
UConn Avery Point Spring 2016
Excellence in Mentoring & Advising
UConn Avery Point
Excellence in Student Engagement and Support Spring 2018, 2019, 2020
Excellence in Advising Spring 2017
New London Day Newspaper: Front Page feature on teaching October 16, 2016
CT SeaGrant Marine Educational Outreach Fellow 2009-2010
Herman Forest Gaia Award Spring 2004
Nominations and Finalists:
UCONN AAUP Excellence in Teaching Early Career Spring 2018
UConn CETL Innovation in Teaching Award Nominee 2016
UConn AAUP Innovation in Teaching Award Nominee 2016
Mentorships Excellence Award, UConn: Nomination 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020
Provost’s Commission on Public Engagement-Finalist Fall 2010
1of only 3 UConn Graduate Student Finalists
Teaching Experience and Advising:
Advisees at UConn:
Official: ~15 (any given academic semester)
Unofficial:10-15 (in addition)
Honors Advisees: Quinn Baron
Courses: Regular Rotation
EEB 2100E*: Global Change Ecology (3 cr.)
EEB 2245: Evolutionary Biology (3 cr.)
EEB 2244: General Ecology (3 cr.)
EEB 2202: Evolution and Human Diversity (3 cr.)
MCB 2410: Genetics (3 cr.)
BIOL 1107: Principles of Biology I (4 cr.)
BIOL 1108: Principles of Biology II (4 cr.)
Previous Experience:
EEB 3899*^: Special Topics- Reflections on Hierarchy, Genetics, and Culture in Dystopian Literature.
UNIV 3895 Climate Crisis Pop-up: Student engagement coordinator (1cr.)
EEB 3899: Independent Study (1-3 cr.; typically every semester)
EEB 3895*: Special Topics-Trophic Ecology (3 cr.)
EEB 3894: Undergraduate Senior Seminar in Ecology (2 cr.)
EEB3891: Internship in Ecology (1-3 cr.)
UNIV 1820: Careers in Life Sciences (1 cr.)
GRAD 6002: Reflections on Teaching (3 cr.)
MAR4010/5010- Biological Oceanography (1/3 team taught; 2012 as graduate student)
*^Collaboration among Psychology, English, and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
* New courses I developed/co-developed
Sacred Heart University:
Instructor: BIO 111- Introductory Biology, Lab Spring 2014
Instructor: BIO 111-Introductory Biology, Discussion (2 sections) Fall 2013
Instructor: BIO 112-Introductory Biology, Discussion Spring 2013
Stony Brook University:
Lecturer: MAR 502-Biological Oceanography Fall 2006
Laboratory Instructor: Biology 203 Spring 2005
Laboratory Instructor: Biology 151 (2 sections) Fall 2004
SUNY Geneseo:
Teaching Assistant- Biology 241: Invertebrate Laboratory Spring 2004
Teaching Assistant/Tutor-Biology 203: Principles of Ecology Spring 2004
Undergraduate Laboratory Instructor: Biology 104 Spring 2004
Teaching Assistant- Biology 303: Community Ecology Fall 2003
Undergraduate Laboratory Instructor: Biology 118 Fall 2002, Fall 2003
Vivarium-Biology Department: Senior Curator Fall 2002-Spring 2004
Scientific Publications:
deMayo, James; Brennan, Reid; Pespeni, Melissa; Finiguerra, Michael; Norton, Lydia; Park, Gihong; Baumann, Hannes; Dam, Hans. 2023 Simultaneous warming and acidification limits population fitness and reveals costs for a marine copepod. Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Brennan, R. S., deMayo, J. A., Dam, H. G., Finiguerra, M., Baumann, H., Buffalo, V., & Pespeni, M. H.2022. Experimental evolution reveals the synergistic genomic mechanisms of adaptation to ocean warming and acidification in a marine copepod. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119(38), e2201521119.
UConn Today: https://today.uconn.edu/2022/10/keeping-pace-with-climate-change-2/
Commentary: Kelly, M. W. (2022). Experimental evolution reveals complex responses to environmental change. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119(43), e2214263119.
Brennan, R. S., DeMayo, J. A., Dam, H. G., Finiguerra, M. B., Baumann, H., & Pespeni, M. H. 2022. Loss of transcriptional plasticity but sustained adaptive capacity after adaptation to global change conditions in a marine copepod. Nature communications, 13(1), 1-13.
Dam, H.G., deMayo, J.A., Park, G., Norton, L., He, Xuejia, H., Finiguerra, M., Baumann, H., Brennan, R., Pespeni, M. 2021 Rapid, but limited, zooplankton adaptation to simultaneous warming and acidification. Nature Climate Change 11, 780–786 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-021-01131-5
UConn Today: https://today.uconn.edu/2021/08/for-copepods-there-is-no-free-lunch-when-coping-with-climate-change/
CT Sea Grant Wrack Lines: https://seagrant.uconn.edu/2022/05/04/wrack-lines-issue-explores-creatures-from-sea-to-sky-to-garden/
Kremer, C.T., Williams, A.K., Finiguerra, M., Fong, A.A., Kellerman, A., Paver, S.F., Tolar, B.B. and Toscano, B.J., 2017. Realizing the potential of trait‐based aquatic ecology: New tools and collaborative approaches. Limnology and Oceanography 62(1) 253-271
Hundey, E.J., Olker, J.H., Carreira, C., Daigle, R.M., Elgin, A.K., Finiguerra, M., Gownaris, N.J., Hayes, N., Heffner, L., Roxanna Razavi, N. and Shirey, P.D., 2016. A Shifting Tide: Recommendations for Incorporating Science Communication into Graduate Training. Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin, 25(4), pp.109-116.
Coble, Ashley A., Rebecca G. Asch, Sara Rivero‐Calle, Sarah M. Heerhartz, Johnna M. Holding, Colin T. Kremer, Michael Finiguerra, and Kristin E. Strock. 2016 Climate Is Variable, but Is Our Science? Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin 25 (3) pp 71-76 10.1002/lob.10115
Finiguerra, M., Avery, DE., Dam, HG. 2015 Advantages, Costs, and Trade-Offs of a Novel Sodium Channel Mutation in the Copepod Acartia hudsonica to Paralytic Shellfish Toxins. PLoS One June 15, doi 10.1371
Chen, L., Zhang, H., Finiguerra, M., Anderson, P., Bobkov, Y., Avery, DE., Bouchard, C., Lin, S., Dam, HG. 2015 NA novel mutation from gene splicing of a voltage-gated sodium channel in a marine copepod and its potential effect on channel function. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology & Ecology, vol. 469, 131-142
Finiguerra, M., Avery, DE., Dam, HG. No evidence for induction and selection of mutant sodium channel expression in the copepod Acartia husdsonica challenged with the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium fundyense. 2014 Ecology and Evolution 4(17): 3470-3481 Open Access
Finiguerra, M., Avery, DE., Dam, HG. Sodium channel expression in the copepod Acartia hudsonica as a function of exposure to paralytic shellfish toxin (PST). 2014 Harmful Algae 39: 75-80
Finiguerra M., Avery D.E., Dam H.G. 2013 Sex Specific tolerance to starvation in the copepod Acartia tonsa. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 446: 17-21.
Hammerschmidt, C., Finiguerra, M., Weller, R., Fitzgerald, W., 2013 Methylmercury Accumulation in Plankton on the Continental Margin of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Environmental Science and Technology 47: 3671-3677.
Zhang, H., Finiguerra, M., Dam, H.G., Huang, Y., Liu, G., Lin, S. 2013 An improved method for achieving high-quality RNA for copepod gene transcriptomic studies. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 446: 57-66.
Finiguerra, M., Escribano, DE, Taylor GT. 2011 Light-Independent Mechanisms of Virion Inactivation in Coastal Marine Systems. Hydrobiologia 665:51-66
Bosch, I., J.C. Makarewicz, T. W. Lewis, E. A. Bonk, M. Finiguerra and B. Groveman. 2009. Management of agricultural practices results in declines of filamentous algae in the lake littoral. Journal of Great Lakes Research: 35 sup.1 pp 90-99.
Theses:
Finiguerra, M. 2013 Determining the Role of a Novel Sodium Channel Mutation on Tolerance to Paralytic Shellfish Toxins in the Marine Copepod Acartia hudsonica. PhD Thesis. University of Connecticut, 119 pp
Finiguerra, M. 2007. Effect of dissolved seawater components and exposures to non-receptive bacterial cells on virion decay. Master’s Thesis. Stony Brook University. 87 pp
In Review and In Prep Manuscripts:
Brennan, R. S., DeMayo, J. A., Dam, H. G., Finiguerra, M. B., Baumann, H., Buffalo, V., & Pespeni, M. H. (2022). Experimental evolution reveals the synergistic genomic mechanisms of adaptation to ocean warming and acidification in a marine copepod. Revisions requested: Proceedings from the National Academy of Sciences
Sasaki, M., Finiguerra, M., Burris, Z., Dam, H.G. Seasonally variable performance curves prevent adverse effects on heatwaves.. In prep-Global Change Biology
Service to the Profession:
University:
Provost’s Representative- Strategic Planning Committee Spring2023- Spring 2024
(Former planning committee) Spring 2021
Student Welfare Committee Spring 2021
Academic Misconduct Committee-Faculty Representative Spring 2021-current
Harriot Fellowship committee Spring 2019
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
CLAS Strategic Planning Advisory Committee Fall 2022-Spring 2023
BIOL 1107 Planning Committee Spring 2019
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department:
Head’s Advisory Committee Fall 2020-current
Undergrad Committee Fall 2016- Fall 2022
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusions Committee Fall 2021- Fall 2022
Academic Assessment Committee Fall 2022
C&C Committee Fall 2021- Spring 2023
EEB APiR hiring committee 2017, 2021, 2022
Non-Tenure Track promotion Committee 2020, 2022
NTT promotion committee planning Fall 2018
Faculty retreat planning committee Spring 2018
W Course Working Group Spring 2017
Ecology Curriculum Committee Spring 2015
Avery Point Campus:
Admissions Office search committee Fall 2022
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Spring 2021-current
Avery Point Dismissal Committee Spring 2017-current
Senior Recognition Ceremony Spring 2020, 2021
Campus Curriculum Coordinating Committee:
Chair Fall 2016- 2018
Member Fall 2014- current
Avery Point Student Excellence Awards Committee Spring 2017- current
Avery Point Search Committee Summer 2017
Director of Academic Services
Avery Point Retention Committee & Task Force Fall 2016- 2017
Avery Point Faculty Assembly; vice-chair Fall 2016- 2017
Mentoring Faculty and Students:
UConn CLAS Mentor , Co-Coordinator in-Residence Mentoring Fall 2022- Spring 2024
UConn Avery Point, Undergraduate Mentoring Coordinator Spring 2021-Spring 2023
UConn Avery Point new in-Residence faculty mentoring program
Created program Fall 2020- current
UConn Connects Mentor: 1-2 students per semester Spring 2017-current
High School Senior thesis: Tessa Rock Spring 2018
Associate Advisor- Ph.D. Committee- Mr. J. DeMayo Fall 2017-current
EEB 3891 Internship in Ecology Spring 2018-one student
EEB 3899 Independent Study: (1-2 students per semester) Fall 2015- current
Undergraduate Research Assistants: 10 Summer 2008-Fall 2014
Middle School Science Teacher: 1 Summer 2014
High School Students- experience in lab: 2 Fall 2011
Scientific and Pedagogy Outreach Activities:
During Faculty APiR Appointment:
CLAS Teaching Conversations: Accessibility in STEM using Fall 2022
Universal Design
Avery Point annual undergraduate student symposium:
Poster symposium: co-creator Each Spring, since 2015
Oral symposium: creator Each Fall, since 2015
UConn Visioning Day Facilitator Fall 2020
UConn CLAS in-Residence Mentoring- workshop leader Fall 2020
UConn Avery Point Cooking Wars participant & winner Spring 2021
UConn Wellness workshop- invited moderator Fall 2021
UConn CETL New TA Orientation- invited panel Semesterly, since Fall 2019
UConn-Avery Point: Orientation Advisor (2-5 sessions ea.) Summers 2015-2019
UConn CETL Undergrad Assessment workshop presenter Semesterly-Fall 2016-2018
UConn CETL GRAD 6002, Panel Member- Three panels Spring 2019
UConn: CETL reviewer for award nominations Spring 2018
UConn Counselor’s Breakfast at Avery Point
Invited faculty representative for campus Spring 2018, 2019
UConn Avery Point Accepted Student Orientation
Faculty representative; students present poster Spring 2015, 2016, 2019
Connecticut College Invited Seminar speaker Fall 2018
Blackboard Ultra Pilot Study, participant Fall 2018
UConn Post-Doc Data Blitz: Judge Fall 2018
Story Collider 3-day workshop on science teaching, participant Summer 2018
Marine Science Day-
Exposing elementary school students to marine science
“Meet the Plankton” 2-4 sessions ea. year May 2008-2019
Voting Member; appointed- Town of Stonington, CT Fall 2017- present
Wetlands and Inlands Watercourse Commission
UConn-MARN professional development course-invited speaker Spring 2018
National Ocean Sciences Bowl-local and national competitions
Head Rules Judge 2014-present (ea. year)
Rules Judge 2008(2), 2009
Timekeeper 2007, 2011
Undergraduate Student Club advisor-
Life Sciences Club Fall 2015
Gardening Club Fall 2018
American Institutes for Research
Reviewer for Next Generation Science Standards questions Spring 2017, 2018
UConn Avery Point Orientation Leadership Workshop Summer 2016, 2018
UConn President’s symposium on mental health Spring 2017
in college students
Deans Mill Elementary School, Stonington, CT
Science and Technology Day- 4 sessions; 80 students total Spring 2016, 2018
CT Sea Grant Research Panel Member Fall 2016
UConn New Faculty Panel Member- Storrs Summer 2017
UConn: Graduate Certificate in Teaching Spring 2016- current
Workshop leader: Undergraduate Assessments; two sessions
Graduate TA Orientation workshop (three sessions)
UConn Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Spring 2017, Fall 2018
Innovation in Teaching Series: Invited speaker
UConn- New Faculty Orientation panel member Fall 2015
UConn-Avery Point: UConn Reads regional chapter Spring 2015
UConn-Avery Point Global Café and Institute for Learning Fall 2014-current
UConn Avery Point Faculty Workshop Series
SMART technology in the classroom Fall 2015
Ditch the Final Exam (Two session) Spring 2016
Association of College and University Educators
Effective Teaching Practices UConn Pilot Study Summer 2016
UConn New Faculty Orientation invited speaker Fall 2015
UConn Avery Point Welcome Tent Fall 2015
Invited Speaker- UConn Global Café: “Heat Waves” Fall 2014
Prior to Faculty APiR Appointment:
Academic Fair Judge, Sacred Heart University Spring 2014
Invited Presentation: Green Falls Academy high school, CT Fall 2013
Taste Touch and Smell of Science-
Marine science program aimed at under-privileged and minority students.
Program Organizer Fall 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015
Volunteer Summer 2008, 2009
Focus Group: University Public Outreach (invited participant) Fall 2010
Educational Outreach Website Developer Spring 2010
Career Fair Workshop- Marine Sciences Summer 2010
4-H 2010 CT Teen Connection Conference, Passport to Success Summer 2010
Career Day- Northeast Academy Math and Science Day Spring 2010
Naugatuck Valley Community College outreach seminar Spring 2010
Conference Proceedings:
DeMayo, J.A., Park, G., Norton, L., He, X. Finiguerra, M., Baumann, H., Dam, H.G., 2018 Costs of adaptation to a greenhouse world for the copepod Acartia tonsa Ocean Global Change Biology Gordon Research Conference. Waterville valley, NH. Poster
Dam, HG, DeMayo, JA, Park, G., He, X., Finiguerra, M., Baumann, H., Pespeni, M. 2018. Rapid Adaptation of a marine copepod to a greenhouse world. Ocean Global Change Biology Gordon Research Conference. Waterville valley, NH. Poster
DeMayo, J.A., Park, G., Norton, L., Baumann, H., Finiguerra, M, He, X., Dam, HG. 2017. Combined Effects of Warming and Acidification on Life-History Traits of the Calanoid Copepod Acartia tonsa. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation Biennial Conference, Providence, RI. (oral presentation)
DeMayo, JA, Park, G., Norton, L., Huffman, W., Finiguerra, M., Baumann, Dam, HG. 2017. Combined Effects of Warming and Acidification on Life-History Traits of the Calanoid Copepod Acartia tonsa. International Conference on Copepoda, Los Angeles, CA. (poster)
Dam, H.G., Cournoyer, B., Finiguerra, M., Avery, D.E.2015 Phenotypic Plasticity and Evolutionary Thermal Adaptation in the copepod genus Acartia. Invited oral presentation. ASLO
Dam, H.G., Finiguerra, M., Avery, D.E., Cournoyer, B. 2014 Thermal responses of zooplankton species along a thermal gradient of the eastern USA: Evidence for phenotypic plasticity. Gordon Research Conference: Ocean Global Change Biology
Finiguerra, M., Dam, HG., Avery, DE., Burris, Z., 2013 Sex-specific adult starvation tolerance in the marine copepod Acartia tonsa. ASLO aquatic sciences meeting. Oral presentation
Finiguerra, M.., Batoh, C.S. , Skelton-Flores, H.K., Avery, D.E. , Courneyer, B., Dam, H.G. 2011 Mircozooplankton grazing during blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium sp. in Long Island Sound. 6th symposium on Harmful Algae. Austin, TX. Oral presentation
Finiguerra, M., Skelton, H., Senft, C., Chen, L., Avery, DE., Dam, HG. 2011 Functional shifts in zooplankton grazing during the progression of a toxic dinoflagellate bloom. ASLO aquatic sciences meeting. San Juan, Puerto Rico. Oral presentation
Weller, R. Finiguerra, M., Fitzgerald, W.F., Hammerschmidt, C. Methylmercury in Plankton on the Continental Margin of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant. Halifax, Canada. July 2011. Poster presentation
Pagano, M.B., Escribano, D.F., Taylor, G.T. 2006. The Effects of Seawater Constituents on Viral Decay Rates. Winter ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting. Oral Presentation
Pagano, M. 2004. Digital Quadrat Analysis of Percent Filamentous Algal Cover. Great Lakes Research Consortium Student/Faculty Conference. Syracuse, NY. Oral Presentation
Pagano, M., Beck, A. 2002. Sediment Geochemistry of New York and Venetian Marshes. Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) Results Presentation to Venetian and American Scientists and Officials. Venice, Italy Oral Presentation
Attended Conferences:
Gordon Research Conference: Global Ocean Change Biology. 2018 Waterville Valley, NH
CT Science Teachers Conference, 2016, Hamden, CT
New England Faculty Development Consortium, 2015, Fairfield, CT
National Association of Biology Teachers Professional Development Conference, 2015, Providence Rhode Island
Scientific Outreach and Pedagogy Communications:
Finiguerra, M., Avery, D.E., Dam, H.G. Case Study: Testing for Adaptation. February 26, 2018. National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science (peer reviewed)
Finiguerra, M., Avery, D.E., Dam, H.G. Dangerous Aquatic Prey: Can Predators Adapt to Toxic Algae. 2014 Data Nuggets (lesson plans for science teachers), Open Access; www.Datanuggets.org
HG Dam & M Finiguerra 2013 Science Experts- Toxic Algae; Infestations Documentary. Stornoway Productions. International Release
Dam, H.G., Finiguerra, M.B., Batoh, C.S., Skelton-Flores, H.K. 2012 What controls toxic algae blooms in Long Island Sound? Wracklines (CT Sea Grant publication) vol. 11,2: 9-13
Finiguerra, M. Payne, D., Dam, HG, Avery, DE. 2010 Predators and Dangerous Prey:Plankton, Toxins and Evolution. 1 hour oral presentation workshop at National Science Teachers Association Conference. Philadelphia, PA.
Manuscript and Grant Reviewer:
Review Board, National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduate grants (2020, 2021)
Aquatic Toxicology
Harmful Algae
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
Journal of Plankton Research
Public Library of Science (PLoS One)
Ocean and Coastal Management
United Kingdom National Research Council Large Grants Office
National Science Foundation CAREER Grant, BIO OCE
Prior to Faculty APiR Appointment
UConn- Marine Sciences: Social Outreach Director 2008-2012
Avery Point Recreation Committee Fall 2009-present
Graduate Student Council, Marine Sciences Faculty Liaison Spring 2008-2009
Feng Colloquium committee organizer Spring 2008
Graduate Student Organization, Senator Fall 2006-Spring 2007
Student Representative- Biology Department Fall 2002-Spring 2004
President-SUNY Geneseo Ecology Club Fall 2001-Spring 2004
Scientific Society Memberships:
Connecticut Science Teachers Association (CSTA)
Connecticut Biology Teachers Association (CBTA)
National Biology Teachers Association (NABT)
Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO)
American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS)
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Competitive Research Fellowship Awards-Graduate Level:
UConn Marine Sciences Travel Award, $500 Spring 2013
ASLO 2013 Aquatic Sciences Travel Award, $500 Spring 2013
Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, UConn $ 2,000 Spring 2012
6th HAB Symposium Student Travel Award: $650 Fall 2011
Manasquan River Tuna Club Scholarship, $500 Spring 2010
Pre-doctoral Fellowship: Competitive departmental research proposals
$ 527 Spring 2013
$ 2,000 Summer 2012
$ 747 Summer 2011
$ 542 Summer 2010
$ 1,270 Summer 2009
$ 500 Fall 2008
External funding from CT Sea Grant at the Department of Marine Sciences for
Taste, Touch and Smell of Science day camp; $750 Fall 2010, 2012
Center for Environmental Science and Engineering, $7,842 Spring 2009
Professional References:
Dr. Tracy Romano; Chief Scientist Mystic Aquarium; tromano@mysticquarium.org
Dr. John Redden; Associate Professor in-Residence; PNB UConn; john.redden@uconn.edu
Dan Mercier; Director of Academic Services, UConn Avery Point; daniel.mercier@uconn.edu
Dr. Hans G Dam; Professor UConn Marine Sciences hans.dam@uconn.edu
Dr. Pam Diggle; UConn EEB Head; pamela.diggle@uconn.edu
Hobbies and Interests:
Dad of 3- & 5-year-old
Cooking and Reading Cookbooks
Gardening
Tending to our Fini Family Farm and Animals
Collecting Comic Books
Reading Sci-Fi and Fantasy (very slowly)
(Thank you for reading to the end of my CV! 😊)