Research Training Program

Cynthia Balthazar
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

Jim Norris, Ph.D.
Supervising Scientist
Department of Botany

"My project was successful and extremely rewarding as a personal experience. . ."

Marine Algae Curation

This project involved the processing of marine algae from the San Salvador collection by sorting, processing, and making identification both macroscopically and microscopically. Jim Norris supplied literature and discussions on, not only taxonomy, but chemical taxonomy and applications of secondary chemistry in the environment. This aspect alone can lead to future study. Approximately 1,000 specimens were processed and knowledge was gained about the genera involved as well as the phycology of the plants themselves.

Bob Sims also gave instruction on the maintenance of an algae herbarium and what is involved in preparing and maintaining the specimens that are dried in bulk on herbarium sheets or kept in wet vials. He also gave instruction on algae inventory systems and the process of computer entry.