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Reef Indicators Lab
University of South Florida, St. Petersburg
College of Marine Science

Michael Martinez-Colon

Degree Sought: Ph.D. in Bio-geological Oceanography

Dissertation Topic:

Heavy metal pollution culture experiments on tropical benthic Foraminifera

Research Interests:

My research interests lie in several aspects of invertebrate paleontology related to the understanding and application of microfossil (Foraminifera, ostracods, charophytes) studies in geology, paleoclimatology, paleobiogeography, and environmental problems along geological epochs and boundaries (Holocene, Pliocene/Pleistocene, Oligocene/Miocene, Cretaceous/Tertiary).

Currently I am conducting three small research projects:

1. I am studying and analyzing the distribution patterns and paleoecology of benthic/planktic Foraminifera along the Oligocene/Miocene boundary in southern Puerto Rico. The main objective is to study the paleoecology and faunal assemblages of Foraminifera to better understand carbonate platform development in an ancient active tectonic setting. Preliminary data shows a possible tectonic uplift of less than 50m after the Oligocene/Miocene boundary.
2. I am analyzing upper Cretaceous (Maestrichtian) Foraminifera-ostracod-charophyte assemblages between Puerto Rico and Jamaica. The main purpose is to establish a regional paleoecological and paleobiogeographical view between these two islands by the end of the Cretaceous period.
3. I am interested in understanding the Foraminifera + ostracod assemblages associated with reef development and subsequent environmental shift towards deltaic/estuarine environments along an exposed reef sequence bordering Lake Enriquillo-Dominican Republic. Special attention will be given to the geochemical analysis of ostracods to have a higher understanding and resolution of changes in salinity and temperature through reef/deltaic/estuarinetransition.
4. Also, I am analyzing the effects of heavy metal pollution on the morphology of benthic Foraminifera on estuarine environments (Torrecilla Lagoon-San Juan Estuary System) in Puerto Rico. The main idea is to establish the use of Foraminifera as bio-indicators or proxies of heavy metal pollution in Puerto Rico. Importance will be given to temporal and spatial changes on Foraminifera assemblages coupled with trace element (pollutants) geochemical signals on Foraminifera tests and sediments. Experimental culture work on Ammonia spp., Triloculina spp., and Amphistegina spp. will be undertaken.

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Science in Geology; University of Puerto Rico, 1997
• Master of Science in Geology; University of Puerto Rico, 2003

Relevant Professional Experience:

• University of South Florida, College of Marine Sciences-St. Petersburg Campus
  Feb. 2005-2006
  Graduate Student- Recruitment Week Committee
• NASA-MASTAP Grant, Universidad del Este, Department of Education, Carolina-Puerto Rico
  June 2002-Aug. 2005
  Co-Writer- Development of project concepts, workshop ideas, courses, objectives and goals.
  Earth Science Specialist- Lecturer and developer of workshop activities (30) for in/pre-service teachers who wish to become Certified in Earth Science teaching.
  Assistant Project Director- Materials and equipment selection; follow up on budget status; workshop and field trip coordinator; developer of six core courses in Geology (Physical Geology, History and Evolution of Life, Geomorphology, Rocks and Minerals, Oceanography, and Geology of Puerto Rico); coordination and development of the text and laboratory manual entitled Earth Sciences in Puerto Rico: A different teaching approach.
  Link
• MSEIP-UGREAT (Undergraduate Research Education and Training)- UNE's Institutional Project
  Jan. 2003-July 2005
  Mentor/Researcher- Developer of research topic proposal (Foraminifera Research Study: Faunal Successions and/or Extinction Patterns along the Oligocene/Miocene Boundary in Southwest Puerto Rico); developer of a collaborative agreement with Jim Galluzzo (Mineral Management Services); student supervision (field techniques; laboratory techniques; sample collection and handling; preparation of fossil specimens for SEM pictures and thin sections.
• NOAA-Coral Reef Environmental Systems-Sediment Budget Component, Parguera-Puerto Rico
  July 2003-May 2005
  Research Assistant- Data collection using erosion plots and hydrometric equipment and sample processing.
• Environmental, Geophysical, and Geological Consultants Inc., Dorado-Puerto Rico
  March 2003-May 2005
  Geologist and Consultant- Environmental permits, geotechnical work and assessment, and geological reconnaissance maps.
• Universidad del Este, Department of Science, Health and Technology, Carolina-Puerto Rico
  Jan. 2002-May 2005
  Lecturer- Intoductory Geology and Physical Science. Field trip and laboratory coordinator.
• Universidad del Este (UNE), Department of Science Education, Carolina-Puerto Rico
  Jan.-Dec. 2003
  Curriculum Development- Co-developer of a specialization in Earth Science Teaching for a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Intermediate Education (BE) (approved by the Academic Senate and institutionalized in January 2004).
• Become a Rock Detective (Vol. 1 & 2)-Geoscience Education- 593 Gardiner Road, Dresden, Maine
  Jan. 2001-Dec. 2002
  Editorial Translator- Translation from English to Spanish.
• GEOCONSULT Inc.-Geotechnical Engineers, Guaynabo-Puerto Rico
  June-Nov. 2001
  Geologist- In charge of field coring brigades; field supervision; geophysical surveys; requisition forms; and project coordination with government and private agencies.
• USGS-EDMAP Mapping Project
  Jan. 2000-Dec. 2001
  Geologist- Geological mapping of the Sabana Grande Quadrangle (USGS Open File Report pending for revision and approval. Submitted Dec. 2001).
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg-MS
  June-Aug. 2000
  Internship- Sediment and Beach Profile Characterization: A Behavioral Study: Nearshore Placement Research Project at Duck-North Carolina.
  June-Aug. 1998
  Internship- Coastal Geomorphologic Study of Willapa Harbor, WA: Willapa Bay Channel Study.

Honors and Awards:

• USF/Progress Energy-GK-12 Fellowship, 2006
• The National Scholars Honor Society, 2006
• Latin-American Caribbean Scholar, 2005-2006
• USF-Research Assistantship, 2005-2006
• USF-Introductory Geology Teaching Assistantship, 2005-2006
• Universidad del Este-Presidential Award, 2005
• USGS-EDMAP Scholarship, 2000-2001
• UPR-Optical Mineralogy Teaching Assistantship, 1999-2000
• UPR-Introductory Geology Teaching Assistantship, 1998

Selected Presentations/Publications:

• Martínez, M.; García, A.; Mercado, S.; Mitchel, S.; and Musaccio, E. A. (In prep.). Occurrence of Late Cretaceous Charophytes (Charales) from the El Rayo Formation of Puerto Rico. Journal of Paleontology.
• Schweitzer, C. E.; Velez, J.; Martínez, M.; and Collmar, A. (In prep.). New Cretaceous and Cenozoic Brachyura (Crustacea: Decapoda) from Puerto Rico: United States Territory. Journal of Paleontology.
• Pisera, A.; Martínez, M.; and Santos, H. 2006. Late Cretaceous siliceous sponges from El Rayo Formation, Puerto Rico. Journal of Paleontology, 80(3):594-600.
• Ramírez, W.; Johnson, C.; Martínez, M.; Torres, M.; and Ortíz, V. 2006. Using strontium isotopes from Kuphus incrasatus tubes to better constrain the chronostratigraphy of Puerto Rico Tertiary limestones. GSA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia-USA.
• Martinez-Colon, M. and others. 2005. Holocene Ostracod/Foraminifera assemblages on reef/deltaic environments on Lake Enriquillo-Dominican Republic: Preliminary survey. 17th Caribbean Geological Conference in Puerto Rico.
• Martinez, M. 2004. Fossil Charophytes of Puerto Rico. 30 minute documental recorded at the Humanistic Museum-Turabo University, Caguas-Puerto Rico. Transmitted June 6, 2004 Channel 6/40 Local Network.
• Martínez-Colón, M. and others. 2004. Upper Cretaceous Charophytes from Puerto Rico and Jamaica. 4th International Symposium on Fossil and Extant Charophytes in Robertson, New South Wales-Australia.
• Martínez-Colon, M. and others. 2004. Paleoecological distribution (benthic Foraminifera) along the Oligocene/Miocene boundary in southwest Puerto Rico. Global or local implications? 3rd International Scientific Winter Congress in Lima-Perú.
• Martínez-Colón, M. and Urbina-Fuentes. 2004. Paleoecologic study of the Ponce Limestone (Miocene) in the Southwest Igneous Province of Puerto Rico: A preliminary report. 18th National Conference on Undergraduate Research-NCUR 2004 in Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis.
• Martínez-Colón, M. 2003. The geologic and tectonic history of the eastern section of the Sabana Grande Quadrangle. 3rd MIE Symposia in Universidad Metropolitana-PR.
• Huertas, M.; Martínez, M.; Sonera, S. 2003. Model for Earth Science Education (MESEd). NASA-MASTAP NASA-MASTAP Symposia in Maryland.
• Martínez-Colón, M. and Llerandi-Román. 2002. Geologic and tectonic history of the Sabana Grande Quadrangle. 16th Caribbean Geological Conference in Barbados.