Mark Swinton
6 Hudson Avenue 2nd floor
Green Island, NY 12183
(518) 368-4033
mswinton@nycap.rr.com
Education
Ph.D. Biology 2003-2008
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
M.S. Biology (Ecology, Evolution and Behavior) 2000-2003
State University of New York at Albany
B.S. Marine Biology with a minor in Chemistry 1994-1998
Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI
Research
Experience
Ph.D. research under the direction of Dr. Charles Boylen
 Investigated the invasive nature of Eurasian watermilfoil,
Myriophyllum spicatum, specifically porewater nutrient availability and
utilization being dependant on seasonal precipitation.
M.S. research under the direction of Dr. Helmut Hirsch
 Investigated the effects of chronic exposure to lead in Drosophila melanogaster
by studying behavioral changes in copulation latency and locomotion.
M.S. research under the direction of Dr. Niles Lehman
 Assessed Antarctic seals’ susceptibility to disease by comparing the variability
of the DQ gene of the MHC (major histocompatability complex).
B.S. research under the direction of Dr. Harold Pomeroy
 Designed an environmentally benign, self-contained, aquaculture unit
capable of accelerating the commercial production of shrimp.
B.S. research under the direction of Dr. Thomas Sorger
 Examined bioluminescence of the marine dinoflagellate Pyrocystis noctiluca.
Manipulating mitochondrial respiration modulated bioluminescent period.
Employment Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY)
Experience Darrin Fresh Water Institute (Bolton Landing, NY)
Postdoctoral Research Associate, September 2008 to Present
 Monitor and model the influence of land-use and climate on stream
water quality and quantity within the Lake George basin.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY)
Research Assistant, June 2005 to September 2008
Teaching Assistant, September 2003 to May 2005
State University of New York at Albany (Albany, NY)
Research Assistant, September 2002 to August 2003
Teaching Assistant, January 2001 to August 2002
Green Island Police Department (Green Island, NY)
Dispatcher, June 2000 to Present
 Dispatch Fire, EMS and Police calls
 Run necessary criminal and DMV records
Florida Aqua Foods, Inc. (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Hatchery Manager, March 1999 to October 1999
 Location, design, construction and maintenance of 2500 square foot
Tilapia hatchery capable of producing 100,000 fingerling per month.
Assistant Farm Manager, August 1998 to February 1999
 Construction and maintenance of Tilapia farm in the Everglades,
recirculating system and open cage systems used simultaneously.
Teaching
Experience
Lecture
Introduction to Biology (Summer 2001)
Laboratory
Comparative Anatomy of Chordates (2001 and 2002)
Introduction to Biology (2001 and 2004)
Biochemistry (2003)
Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (2004 and 2005)
Publications  “The effect of sediment chemistry and precipitation on nutrient availability and
acquisition by Eurasian watermilfoil” submitted to Aquatic Botany.
 Swinton, M. and C. Boylen. 2009. Alteration of sediment porewater associated
with a Eurasian watermilfoil invasion. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management.
47: 26-30.
Conferences  International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species
Nijmegen, The Netherlands September 2007
“Understanding Eurasian Watermilfoil: Nutrients, Growth and Invasion”
 Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society
Mount Snow, Vermont January 2007
“Alterations to Porewater Associated with Eurasian Watermilfoil Invasion”
 North American Lake Management Society
Indiana, Illinois November 2006
“Growth, Biomass and Nutrient Acquisition of an Eurasian Watermilfoil
Invasion into an Oligotrophic Lake”
 Aquatic Plant Management Society
Portland, Oregon July 2006 won Best Poster
“Developing a Detailed View of Milfoil Growth and Nutrient Acquisition”
 Northeast National History Conference
Albany, NY April 2006
“Monitoring Chemical, Physical and Biological Changes Associated
with an Eurasian Watermilfoil Invasion”
 Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society
Saratoga Springs, NY January 2006
“Monitoring Chemical, Physical and Biological Changes Associated
with an Eurasian Watermilfoil Invasion into an Oligotrophic Lake”
Skills
 Expertise in nutrient analysis of water, sediment and plant tissue
 Laboratory instruments: Ion Chromatograph, Flow Injection Analysis,
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, CHN Analyzer, Spectrophotometer
 Field equipment: light meter, dO2, temperature, conductivity and pH probes
 Knowledgeable in numerous sampling protocols
 Computer skills: Proficient with MS Office, SPSS, MapInfo, SigmaPlot
 PADI certified Divemaster since 1994
 CPR and First Aid certified since 1994
 Efficient at handling boats under 20’