Dr. Baker’s research focuses on the physiological ecology of bivalve mollusks.  Areas of specialization include functional morphology, feeding ecology, bioenergetics, and effects of perturbations such as salinity, temperature, and eutrophication on productivity.  Trained as a marine scientist, she has worked in a variety of systems, both marine and freshwater.  Shirley is currently working with hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) aquaculture in Florida.  This industry faces several challenges: reliance on primarily one species, anthropogenic disturbances, harmful algal blooms, and extreme temperatures. Using methods from a range of fields (genetics, pathology, comparative physiology, environmental monitoring), her collaborative research program is working to address many of these management issues.

Degrees:

1994    Ph.D.   Virginia Institute of Marine Science, The College of William and Mary
1988    M.S.    Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, University of Oregon
1986    B.S.     Seattle Pacific University

Courses:

FAS 4932/6154 Aquatic Invertebrate Ecological Physiology
Fall of odd years, 3 credit hours

Course focuses on the biochemical, physiological, behavioral, and ecological adaptations of invertebrate animals.  A comparative approach is used to examine basic principles of adaptation, problems of size and scale, key mechanisms in physiology (excretion, thermal biology, respiration, etc.), and details of how organisms cope with environments (marine, estuarine, and freshwater). 
 
Curriculum Vitae:

Contact Information:

Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
7922 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653

352-273-3627

email: sbaker25@ufl.edu