Sylvester J. Lee received his M.S. in Environmental Toxicology from the University of Mississippi in 2012 and his B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Mississippi in 2010. His research interests include the adaptive and evolutionary biology of coral reef ecosystems and bridging primary research with marine conservation initiatives through visual media. He has worked as a research assistant studying coral diseases, ocean acidification effects on corals and sponges, and oil spill impacts. Lee has also participated in field work studying adapted tolerance to ocean acidification in the Bahamas and Florida.

1. Sylvester J. Lee
P.O. Box 6397
sly.j.lee@gmail.com University, MS 38677
www.hydrophotogen.com 662-816-4828
EDUCATION
M.S. University of Mississippi-Environmental Toxicology, Oxford, MS.
May 2012
B.S. University of Mississippi- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oxford, MS.
May 2010
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Adaptive and evolutionary biology/ecology, genetic connectivity and implications for marine
biodiversity and marine conservation (specifically coral reef ecosystems). Bridging the gaps
between primary research and direct implications towards marine conservation initiatives and
public outreach through visual media (photography and videography).
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
August 2010-June 2012
Research Assistant. Environmental Toxicology Program. Dr. Deb Gochfeld and Dr. Marc
Slattery-University of Mississippi. Projects focused on variability of antibacterial properties of
Hawaiian corals, Montipora White Syndrome, Aplysina Red Band Syndrome, and ocean
acidification on sponges and corals from Hawaii and the Bahamas. Processing of seagrass and
sediment samples for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon analysis following the BP Gulf oil spill.
May-June 2011
Teaching Assistant. NOAA-funded University of Mississippi study abroad course “Coral Reef
Stressors: Adaptation in Tropical Marine Ecosystems.” Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas.
March 2010-August 2010
Research Technician. Department of Pharmacognosy, Dr. Marc Slattery-University of
Mississippi. Projects focused on coral, sponge, and algal extractions, and secondary metabolite
isolations using High Performance Liquid Chromatography, and disease on corals.

2. February 2007-April 2009
Pharmacy Technician. Kroger
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITES/ FIELD EXPERIENCE
Aquarius Mission in Key Largo, FL July 2011:
Support diver/research assistant. Research on ocean acidification- acidified micro-habitats,
sponge transplantation experiments, additive effects of acidification and increased
temperature on sponge and coral physiology.
Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas summer 2011:
Investigating adapted tolerance to ocean acidification and elevated temperature in the marine
sponge, Chondrilla nucula, from an extreme environment. Assisted in other group members’
work on sponge, algal, coral, and fish ecology: coral reef surveys, sponge, coral, and fish
collections, transplant experiments, wet lab experiments, physiological measurements.
Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas June 2010:
University of Mississippi study abroad course “Coral Reef Stressors: Adaption in Tropical
Marine Ecosystems.” Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas.
AWARDS, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND RECOGNITIONS
v Best Poster Award: Basic Sciences. The University of Mississippi Graduate Student Council
Research Symposium 2012
v Placed in Top 3 in Oxford Endurance 5k run (Male 20-24 division). Aug. 3, 2012. Oxford, MS
v Awarded access to “laboratory section” in ‘eteRNA’, an online RNA synthesis project
developed by Stanford and Carnegie Mellon University (<7% achieve laboratory access)
v Featured instructables (8) by editors: www.instructables.com/member/slylee/
v Awarded a NOAA scholarship to participate in University of Mississippi study abroad course
“Coral Reef Stressors: Adaption in Tropical Marine Ecosystems.” Lee Stocking Island,
Bahamas. 2010
v Completed 40 mi Bike Ride with a self-built single speed bike. 2012 Double Decker Ride
Oxford, MS.
v Nominated to participate in the 2010 “Ole Miss Women’s Council Leadership Series”
v “Chancellor’s Ole Miss First” Scholarship (undergraduate-4 years)
v Nominated to the National Scholars Honor Society (undergraduate)
v Winner of the 2007 Freshman Interview Scholarship Contest-University of Mississippi
v Eagle Scout -Troop 144

3. PUBLICATIONS
Lee SJ (2012) Adaptive tolerance to ocean acidification in the marine sponge: Chondrilla nucula.
Master thesis, University of Mississippi
Gochfeld DJ, KE Pappas, S Lee and GS Aeby (2011) Variability in Antibacterial Activity in
Hawaiian Corals. pp. 137-139. In: Pollock, N.W. (ed.), Diving for Science 2011. Proceedings of
the American Academy of Underwater Sciences 30th Symposium. Dauphin Island, AL.
Manuscripts in Preparation:
Lee SJ, Slattery M, Gochfeld DJ. Phenotypic plasticity in the sponge, Chondrilla nucula, in
response to site-specific stressors. Invertebrate Biology (In review).
PRESENTATIONS AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS
Lee SJ, DJ Gochfeld, M Slattery. Adapted tolerance to ocean acidification in a marine sponge: a
physiological and biochemical approach. Benthic Ecology Meeting 2012. March 21-24, 2012
Gochfeld DJ, S Lee and GS Aeby. Variability in antimicrobial chemical resistance
to Montipora White Syndrome. 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Cairns, Australia, 9-12
July 2012.
Slattery M, S Lee, C Easson, C Williams, E Hunkin, D Gochfeld. Sponge diversity and
acclimation in naturally-acidified marine caves. Advancing the Science of Limnology and
Oceanography (ASLO). Feburary 20-24, 2012.
Gochfeld DJ, KE Pappas, S Lee and GS Aeby. Variability in antibacterial activity in Hawaiian
corals. American Association of Underwater Scientists Diving for Science Symposium. October
10-15, 2011.

4. Corrales J, S Lee, L Steele, DJ Gochfeld, M Slattery, A Boettcher, KL Willett. Potential Impact of
Oil Contaminants from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in Seagrasses of the Mississippi-
Alabama Coast. Pollutant Responses in Marine Organisms (PRIMO). May 15-18, 2011.
Corrales J, S Lee, L Steele, DJ Gochfeld, M Slattery, A Boettcher, KL Willett. Potential Impact of
Oil Contaminants from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in Seagrasses of the Mississippi-
Alabama Coast. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). April 26-28, 2011.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Diving:
§ AAUS Scientific Diving certified (80 dives)
§ NAUI EANx Diver certified
§ SSI Advanced Open Water SCUBA certified
§ SSI Open Water SCUBA certified
Other:
§ Oxygen First Aid for Emergencies certified-MEDIC First Aid International
§ First Aid Certified- American Red Cross
§ CPR/AED-Adult- American Red Cross
SKILLS/ INTERESTS
Lab: High Performance Liquid Chromatography, chromatography columns, Gas
Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry, heat shock protein 70 quantification via western blots,
protein quantification via Bradford Assay, chlorophyll a quantification, Pulse Amplified
Modulated fluorometry, lipid fraction ratio quantification, cyanobacteria counts, carbohydrate
quantification, disk assays and 96 well plate assays for antibacterial quantification.
Software: R, JMP, Erdas Imagine, Microsoft Office, Excel, Powerpoint, IMAGE PRO, IMAGE J,
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premire, Final Cut Pro.
Languages: Mandarin Chinese (Beginner/Intermediate), Spanish (Beginner level)
Extracurricular: Weekly volunteer at More Than a Meal soup kitchen- I tutor children and
adults, interact with individuals on a personal level, and provide transportation for those in
need. Photography/ underwater photography, archery, Crossfit, biking, soccer, camping,
drums, piano.

5. REFERENCES
Dr. Erica Hunkin (friend and colleague)- University of Mississippi. Postdoctoral Research
Associate in Pharmacognosy.
hunkin@olemiss.edu (662-915-2009)
Dr. Marc Slattery (co-Advisor)- University of Mississippi. Professor of Pharmacognosy.
Research Professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science. Interim Executive
Director – NIUST. Director of the Ocean Biotechnology Center and Repository (NIUST
Division).
slattery@olemiss.edu (662-915-1053)
Dr. Deborah Gochfeld (co-Advisor)- University of Mississippi. Senior Scientist in the National
Center for Natural Products Research. Adjunct Professor of Biology.
gochfeld@olemiss.edu (662-915-6769)