Dr. Mark Meade’s Research                Interests Page

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

My research interests are variable although all of the projects I conduct involve aquatic animals and/or the aquatic environment.  One of my major interests is the aquaculture of exotic and native species of fishes and crustaceans.  Currently my wet lab at JSU is set up to culture Malaysian prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, and Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.  I am mainly interested in the early development of these species, particularly aspects of growth as related to nutrition, water quality, and metabolism (see publications list).   

                                  


As a result if my interest in aquaculture, several years ago I became involved in a project examining the efficacy of alternative therapeutics for the treatment of external protozoan parasites (such as “Ick”) of fish.  Along with Drs. Blair and Olander, we are examining the use of photoactive dyes as possible alternatives to currently available treatments.

           

                   Phloxine B                     “Ick” fish parasite

Another of my major interests includes examining the genetic diversity of aquaculture stocks as well as threatened native species of Alabama fishes.  I share a molecular biology lab with Drs. Blair and Debro that is equipped to conduct protein (isozyme) and DNA fingerprinting of tissue samples. Although I am mainly interested in aquatic animals, I also have students interested in examining genetic diversity of terrestrial species (frogs, salamanders) and exotic plants.