CONTACT INFO:

Diana Louise Steller - Research Faculty / Diving Safety Officer
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Rd., Moss Landing, CA 95039

dsteller@mlml.calstate.edu
(831) 771-4440, (831) 632-4403 FAX

RESEARCH & TEACHING INTERESTS

My research interests include the ecology of temperate reefs and subtropical carbonate rhodolith beds with and emphasis on macroalgal ecology algal physiology and species interactions. I have been working in the Gulf of California for the past 17 years. I am particularly interested in the role that macroalgae play as a substrate and food resource in subtidal communities and how algal dynamics influence community dynamics. Additionally, I am interested in the growth and establishment of carbonate reefs both past, present and future.

EDUCATION
2003 Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
University of California at Santa Cruz, Supervisor: Peter Raimondi

1993 Master of Science in Marine Science
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, San Jose State Univ., Supervisor: Michael Foster

1988 Bachelor of Arts in Aquatic Biology
University of California at Santa Barbara

VITAE
2004 - 2006 Research Biologist / Diving Safety Officer – Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
2002 – 2003 Lecturer in Biological Sciences (UCSC), Marine Botany
2001 Lecturer in Biological Science (MLML/SJSU), Marine Botany
1996 – 2003 Graduate Researcher in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (UCSC) specializing in the ecology, population biology and community ecology of coralline algal rhodoliths
1995 – 1996 Biology Instructor (CSUMB & Hartnell College)
1996 Biology Instructor (SFSU) Island Conservation of the Gulf of CA
1993 – 1995 Assistant Researcher (Hopkins Marine Station) Algal physiology, ecology and molecular biology
1991 – 1992 Diving Instructor & Acting Diving Safety Officer (MLML), Marine Science Diving

ACADEMIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Marine Science Diving MS 105 – Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 1991-1992, 2004-2006 (Inst.)
Marine Environmental Studies of the Gulf of CA MS273 – MLML, 2004 (Instr.)
Subtidal Ecology - MS272 – MLML 2005 (Co-Instructor with Mike Graham)
Marine Botany – University of California, Santa Cruz, 1999, 2002, 2003 (Instr. & TA))
Marine Botany – Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 2001 (Instr.)
Kelp Forest Ecology - University of California, Santa Cruz, 1999 (TA)
Subtidal Ecology - Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 1991 (TA)
Marine Ecology - University of California, Santa Cruz, 2000 (TA)
Marine Ecology – Hartnell Community College, 1995, 1996 (Instr.)
Marine Ecology of the Gulf of California - University of California, Santa Cruz, 1998 (TA)
Island Conservation of the Gulf of California – SFSU Wildland Studies, 1996 (Instr.)
Environmental Science – Hartnell College, 1995, 1996 (Instr.)
Watershed Ecology – CSUMB/ Hartnell College, 1996 (Instr.)
Conservation in Tropical Ecosystem – University of Massachusetts, 1992 (Instr.)

DIVING CERTIFICATIONS
2006 PSI Technician
2004 NAUI Nitrox Instructor
2004 DAN Basic Life Support Pro Instructor, REMO
2004 ASHI (American Safety and Health Institute) Instructor
1996 UC Santa Cruz AAUS Diver
1994 Saturation Diver - NOAA/NURP Aquanaut Saturation Mission, Florida Keys
1991 NAUI Instructor (#13564) Santa Cruz, CA
1989 MLML AAUS Research Diver
1988 NAUI Dive Master (DM), Assistant Instructor (AI), Rescue Diver, UC Santa Barbara
1986 UCSB AAUS Research Diver & Blue Water Research Diver
1985 PADI Open water SCUBA diver

DIVING INSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE
2004- 2006 NAUI Master Diver/DM/MLML-CSU Marine Science Diving Courses
1992 & 1995 NAUI basic dive courses – New Hampshire & Monterey, CA
1992 Interim Diving Safety Officer - Moss Landing Marine Labs
1991 Co-taught the MLML/NAUI Marine Research Diving course
1990 Subtidal Ecology teaching assistant – MLML kelp forest ecology
1988-1989 Recreational SCUBA Instructor/Dive Master – Bahamas, Mexico
1988-1989 NAUI Basic & Specialty Research courses as AI at Catalina Island Marine Institute
1987-1988 NAUI Basic courses at UCSB as AI

PUBLICATIONS
Riosmena-Rodriguez, R., D.L. Steller, G. Hinjosa-Aronjo, M.S. Foster 2006. Biology and Conservation of Rhodolith Beds in the Gulf of California. In R. Brusca (Ed.) Marine Biodiversity and Conservation in the Gulf of California. Univ. of Arizona Press & Sonoran Desert Museum.

Steller, D.L., R. Riosmena-Rodriguez, M.S. Foster 2005. Sampling and monitoring of rhodolith beds: rhodolith distribution and taxonomy, biodiversity and long-term sampling. NAGISA book chapter (in press).

Steller, D. L. 2003. Rhodoliths in the Gulf of California: growth, demography, disturbance and effects on population dynamics of catarina scallops. Ph.D., University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA.

Steller, D. L., R. Riosmena-Rodriguez, M.S. Foster and C.A. Roberts. 2003. Species assemblages associated with Mexican rhodolith beds: the importance of rhodolith structure. Aquatic Conservation – Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 13: S5-S20.

Steller, D.L. & M. Edwards. 2004 A Manual for Marine Botany Laboratory. University of California.

Coyer, J. A., D. L. Steller, J. Witman. 2002 update. The underwater catalog: a guide to methods in underwater research. Shoals Marine Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 151 pp.

Zimmerman, R.C., D. L. Steller, D.G. Kohrs and R.S. Alberte. 2001. Top-down impact through a bottom-up mechanism II: in situ effects of limpet grazing on growth, light requirements and survival of Zostera marina L. (eelgrass). Marine Ecology Progress Series. V218:127-140.

Steller, D. L., R. Riosmena-Rodriguez, P.T. Raimondi and M. S. Foster. 1999. The importance of rhodolith beds as recruitment habitat for the catarina scallop Argopecten ventricosus along the coasts of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico. In Diving for Science. 1999. Eds. J.N. Heine, D. Canestro, G. Wuttken. Proceedings of the American Academy of Underwater Scientists. Pgs. 11-124.

Coyer, J. A., D. L. Steller, J. Witman. 1999. The underwater catalog: a guide to methods in underwater research. Shoals Marine Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 151 pp.

Foster, M.S., R. Riosmena-Rodriguez, D. L. Steller, W. Woelkerling. 1997. Living rhodolith beds in the Gulf of California and their implications for paleoenvironmental interpretations. In Pliocene carbonates and their related facies flanking the Gulf of California, Baja California, Mexico. Eds. Johnson, M.E. and J. Ledesma-Vazquez. Geological Society of America Special Paper #318.

Zimmerman, R. C., D. G. Kohrs, D. L. Steller, R.S. Alberte. 1997. Impacts of CO2 enrichment on productivity and light requirements of eelgrass. Plant Physiology 115(2):599-607.

Steller, D. L., and M. S. Foster. 1995. Environmental factors influencing distribution and morphology of rhodoliths in Bahia Concepcion, B.C.S., Mexico. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 194:201-212.

Coyer, J. A., Steller, D. L., Alberte, R. S. 1995. A field-compatible method for extraction of fingerprint-quality DNA from Macrocystis pyrifera (Phaeophyceae). Journal of Phycology. 31(1):177-180.

Zimmerman, R. C., Kohrs, D. G., Steller, D. L., Alberte, R. S. 1995. Carbon partitioning in eelgrass: Regulation by photosynthesis and the response to daily light-dark cycles. Plant Physiology 108(4): 1665-1671.

Steller, D. L. 1993. The ecology of rhodoliths in the Bahia Concepcion, B.C.S., Mexico. MS thesis, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, SJSU. 83pp.

In Preparation:
Steller, D. L., R. Riosmena-Rodriguez. Age and growth in Lithophyllum margaritae (Coralinalles; Rhodophyta: estimating recovery of rhodolith populations. Journal of Phycology.

Steller, D. L., A. Boxshall, C. Caceras-Martinez. Evidence for the enhancement of larval settlement and post-settlement growth of the scallop Argopecten ventricosus by coralline algal rhodoliths: field and laboratory experiments. Target Journal. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.

Steller, D. L. and P. T. Raimondi. The facilitation of scallop populations by biogenic rhodolith habitat: a stage specific approach. Target journal – Ecology.

Steller, D. L., A. Cabello-Pasini, R. Riosmena-Rodriguez. Effects of temperature and light on growth, photosynthesis and calcification of rhodolith forming coralline algae. Target journal – Journal of Phycology.

Steller, D. L. and M.S. Foster. Longterm changes in rhodolith bed ecology: an analysis of disturbance. Target journal – Marine Ecology Progress Series.

Steller, D. L., R. Dunn and J. Zachos. Novel macroalgal tools for tracking ocean climate: stable isotopic signatures in temperate and subtropical coralline algae. Target journal – Limnology and Oceanography.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
2005 – GSA Peninsular Geology Meeting, Ensenada, BC, Mexico. Sediment production estimates from living and fossil rhodolith beds.
2004 – MBARI invited speaker. Ecology of reefs that rock and roll: rhodolith beds in the Gulf of California
2004 – SJSU invited speaker. Ecology of reefs that rock and roll: rhodolith beds in the Gulf of California
2004 – Friends of Moss Landing Marine Laboratories Ecology of reefs that rock and roll: rhodolith beds in the Gulf of California
2003 - Sixth International Temperate Reef Symposium, Christchurch, New Zealand. Contributions of rhodolith beds to a commercial scallop fishery: the importance of reefs that rock and roll, contributed.
2001 - International BIOMAERL meeting ‘The scientific basis for conservation management of maerl grounds’ University Marine Biological Station Millport, Scotland: Biodiversity related to rhodolith beds in the Gulf of California, Mexico, invited.
2001 – Western Society of Naturalists: Predicting impact and recovery from natural and anthropogenic disturbance to coralline algal rhodolith communities, contributed.
2000 - Phycological Society of America: Population parameters and photosynthetic capabilities of coralline rhodoliths: biogeographic implications., contributed.
2000 – Partnership in the Study of Coastal Oceans Conference, Corvallis, Oregon: Novel tools for understanding global climate change: using coralline algae as a paleothermometer, contributed.
2000 - International Larval Biology Meeting, Santa Cruz, CA. Rhodolith beds as key habitats for larval settlement and growth of flying scallops, contributed.
1999 - Interamerican Institute Invited Talk: “Growth and population dynamics of rhodolith forming corallines in the Gulf of California” La Paz, BCS, Mexico, invited.
1999 – Western Society of Naturalists, Monterey, CA. Coralline algae 6 cm under: is there life after burial?, contributed.
1998 – Western Society of Naturalists, San Diego, CA. The role of coralline habitats in population dynamics of the Mexican catarina scallop, Argopecten ventricosus.
1998 - American Association of Underwater Scientists, Santa Cruz, CA. Coralline habitat ecology: rhodolith beds in the Gulf of California, contributed.
1994 - Western Society of Naturalists, Monterey, CA. Calcium uptake in marine algae and the impact on the sea/air interchange of global CO2, contributed paper.
1993 – International Seaweed Symposium, Brest, France. Rhodoliths and maerl in Bahia Concepcion, BCS, Mexico, contributed.
1993 – Second International Temperate Reef Symposium, Auckland, New Zealand. Rhodoliths beds in Bahia Concepcion, BCS, Mexico: reefs that rock and roll, contributed.
1992 - Scripps Institute of Oceanography: Ecology of rhodolith beds in the Gulf of California, invited.
1992 – Western Society of Naturalists Meeting, Oregon, Factors influencing rhodolith bed distribution in Bahia Concepcion, BCS, Mexico, contributed.
1990 – Western Society of Naturalists Meeting, Monterey, A living rhodolith community in Baja California Sur, Mexico, contributed.

GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS

DAN Diving Emergency Equipment Matching Grant 2005 – Award of two AED (Automated External Defibrillator) units and an Emergency Oxygen Unit to the Research Diving program of MLML.

UC Santa Cruz Instructional Improvement Grant 2002-2003 - Student Development of a Marine Botany Laboratory Manual: The Integration of New Technology, D. Steller/M. Edwards.

UC MEXUS Collaborative grant 2001 to D. Steller, P. Raimondi (UCSC) and Peggy Turk (CEDO). “Effects of rat eradication on the intertidal ecology of Isla San Jorge: development of a monitoring technique”.

UC MEXUS / CONACYT 2000 to D. Steller and P. Raimondi (UCSC/Biology), A. Cabello-Pasini (UABC), R. Riosmena Rodriguez (UABCS), J. Zachos (UCSC Earth Sciences). “Archives of Global Climate Change: A Novel Use of Coralline Red Algae for Reconstructing Annual to Centennial Scale Environmental Variability”.

Dynamic Evolution of the Land-Sea Interface (DELSI-UCSC) 2000 to D. Steller. Potential tools for tracking ocean climate: Variability in stable isotopes in living coralline algae.

Friends of Long Marine Laboratories, 2000. Potential tools for tracking ocean climate: Variability in stable isotopes in living coralline algae

GAANN Fellowship, UCSC 1996-1998, 2001-2002 – Fellowship to cover cost of registration fees, stipend, and institutional payment for research equipment.

Earl & Ethel Meyers Oceanographic and Marine Biology Trust, 1999 to D. Steller. Grant written to cover costs for Ph.D. field research

UC MEXUS Dissertation Grant, 1998. D. L. Steller, P. Raimondi (UCSC/Biology), A. Cabello-Pasini
(UABC), R. Riosmena-Rodriguez (UABCS), C. Caceras-Martinez (UABCS). Importance of rhodolith beds as shellfish recruitment habitats. Collaborators: ($5,000).

UC MEXUS Dissertation Grant, 1998. D. Steller, P. Raimondi (UCSC/Biology), A. Cabello-Pasini (UABC), R. Riosmena-Rodriguez (UABCS), C. Caceras-Martinez (UABCS). Importance of rhodolith beds as shellfish recruitment habitats.

UC MEXUS Collaborative Grant, 1996. D. Steller, P. Raimondi (UCSC), R. Riosmena-Rodriguez and H. Reyes-Bonilla (UABCS), M. S. Foster (MLML), Ecological and economic importance of rhodoliths in the Gulf of California: Biodiversity to Aquaculture.

CURRENT SOCIETIES / MEMBERSHIPS
American Academy of Underwater Sciences
National Association of Underwater Instructors
Phycological Society of America
Western Society of Naturalists
California Native Plant Society
American Women in Science
Divers Alert Network
Ecologia Sociedad de Baja California Sur