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CAS professor named fellow of the prestigious Linnean Society
[07.01.2014]

TAMPA, Fla. – James Garey, Ph.D., chair and professor for the Department of Cell Biology, was selected to become a fellow of the Linnean Society in London, U.K.

The Linnean Society was founded in 1778 and named after Carl Linneaus, who invented the idea of species and taxonomy. The society draws in members from all walks of life, and welcomes anyone with an interest in natural sciences.

“Being a fellow means that you were selected by peers, so there’s a level of recognition for being a great researcher,” said Garey. “I had a colleage who won the Darwin Award, we collaborated, and he recommended me for the fellowship.”

The research that Garey was nominated for changed the way that scientists look at the animal kingdom. He was able to show that all animals who malt are related and was the first to use DNA sequencing.

Garey is continuing his groundbreaking research in underwater cave systems and estuaries off the coast of Florida. According to Garey, these caves systems are sometimes fed by freshwater sources and connect into the ocean, creating estuaries and acting as a nursery for juvenile fish.

These waterways are important to researches because they provide a unique opportunity for these fish to begin to evolve with little competition.

“Evolution runs in fits and starts, we’ve really only seen gradual evolution since Cambrian times when there weren’t any animals and suddenly they all appeared,” Garey said.

Garey plans to use molecular methods to examine microorganisms in the water. His research could yet again change the way that researchers look at evolution.

“Awards like these allow you to measure your career and meet new colleagues,” Garey said.

-USF-

Filed under:Arts and Sciences Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Research   
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Author: Victoria Babcock
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