Annual Report
2008-2009
Annual Reprt
2007-2008
Where We Are
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Tenured Faculty - down
28
26
231
Refereed Pubs by Ranked Faculty - down
70
103
81
Federal C & G Awards - down
$8.6M
$5.9M
$4.2M
State & Local Gov’t Awards - down
$10.6M
$2.4M
$ .7M
Private Awards - steady
$1.6 M
$1.6M
$1.5M
4 New hires to start in August ‘09
Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index is above the National mean and compares favorably with other
USF programs.
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Annual Report
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Where We Are
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Post Doc Fellows - steady
28
32
32
Support Staff - down
293
2031
190
Student Ethnic Diversity- steady
25.6%
25.8%
25.2%
33%
67%
36%
64%
32%
68%
Student Gender Diversity- steady
Male
Female
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SRI separated from COT
Annual Report
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Where We Are
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Student Headcount - down
130
120
111
Student Credit Hours - down
2,187
2,116
1,798
Students Accepted - down
25
26
20
Degrees Awarded - up
26
14
24
13
13
9
5
14
10
Masters
PhD
Student reported data are based on the academic year = summer, fall, spring
Annual Report
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2007-2008
2008-2009
2008-2009 Student Summary
111 Graduate Students
59% Doctoral, 41% Master’s
 68% Female, 32% Male
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9% International
 16% US Minority
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10% Hispanic
5% African American
1% Asian
15 Fellowships ranging from $10,000 – $22,000 per year (2008-2009)
3 Fellowships ranging from $2,500 - $9,000 per year (2008-2009)
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Student Awards
Eighteen - Fall 2008 Endowed Fellowships Awarded
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Knight Fellowship
Peter R. Betzer Fellowship
Bridge to the Doctorate Fellowship
St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership Fellowship
C.W. Bill Young Fellowship
Lake Fellowship
Gulf Oceanographic Trust Fellowships
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Garrels Fellowship
Getting Fellowship
Sanibel Captiva Shell Club Fellowship
Von Rosenstiel Fellowships
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Wachovia Bank Fellowship
Riggs Fellowship
Barnes Fellowship
Parrot Head Fellowship
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Terry Fei Fan Ng
M. Matthias Elliot
Camille A. Daniels
Peter Simard
Heather A. Broadbent
Elon M. Malkin
Cheska L. Burleson
Jennifer A. Delaney
Anthony G. Nitti
Sarine Manoukian
Brian L. Zielinski
Michael Martínez-Colón
Brienne Engel
Monica M. Mion
Marietta Mayo
Digna T. Rueda-Roa
Luis D. Miranda
Heather Havens
Student Awards
Grants and Fellowships
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Jennifer Delaney, Biological Oceanography, Masters Student :
• Awarded the EPA STAR Fellowship (Spring 2009)
(pictured: top left)
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Jennifer Dupont, Biological Oceanography, PhD Student :
• Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Spring 2009)
(pictured: top right)
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Heather Havens, Biological Oceanography, PhD Student :
• Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (for 2009-2010)
(pictured: center right)
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Michael Martinez-Colón, Geological Oceanography, PhD Student :
• American Geological Institute Minority Fellowship
(pictured: center left)
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Christin Murphy, Biological Oceanography, PhD Student :
• NSF Doctoral Fellowship (begins Fall 2009)
• Research focus: hydrodynamic trail detection in marine animals
(pictured: bottom right)
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Julie Richey, Geological Oceanography, PhD Student :
• Awarded the 2009 Student Research Grant from the Gulf Coast
Association of Geologic Societies
(pictured: bottom left)
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Student Awards
Four “Distinguished Graduate Achievement Awards”, USF
GPSO
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Christine Cass, Biological Oceanography, PhD Student
Dawn Goldsmith, Biological Oceanography, PhD Student
Monica Mion, Chemical Oceanography, PhD Student
"Terry" Fei Fan Ng, Biological Oceanography, PhD student
(photo left to right: Terry Ng, Dawn Goldsmith, Dr. Mya Breitbart, Monica Mion,
Dr. Edward Van Vleet)
“2008-09 Outstanding Student Organization” Awarded to the
Marine Science Advisory Committee (MSAC) at the
Celebration of University Leadership Ceremony
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President: Matthias Elliott (group photo: top left)
Vice-president: Christin Murphy (group photo: bottom left)
Treasurer: Clare Williams (left photo)
Secretary: Jenny Delaney (group photo: bottom right)
Social coordinator: Anthony Nitti (group photo: top right)
Alumni Relations: Danielle Greenhow (group photo: bottom center)
Annual Report
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Student Awards
Poster and Presentation Awards
– Christine Cass, Biological Oceanography, PhD Student : (top left)
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Outstanding Student Poster Award, 2009 ASLO Aquatic Sciences meeting ,
Nice, France, (Spring 2009): "Using Metabolic Parameters to Assess
Copepod Tolerance to Low-Oxygen Environments in the Eastern Tropical
Pacific."
– Jennifer Delaney, Biological Oceanography, Masters Student : (center left)
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Best Graduate Oral Presentation, American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
FL/SE Branch Joint Meeting (Fall 2008): "Evaluation of the rbcS Gene as a
Target for Real-Time NASBA Detection of Pseudo-nitzschia"
– Jessica Powell, Biological Oceanography, Masters Student : (top right)
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1st place in the categories of Education/Conservation and First Time IMATA
Presenter, International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA)
Conference: "Outreach tools to minimize human impacts on wild bottlenose
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Florida.”
– Patrick Schwing, Geological Oceanography, PhD Student : (bottom left)
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1st Place Poster/ Interview, USF Research Symposium (2008): “Investigating
Historical Land Use Within Southeastern Tampa Bay”
– Clare Williams, Geological Oceanography, PhD Student : (bottom right)
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Outstanding Student Paper Award in the Paleoceanography and
Paleoclimatology Focus Group, Fall 2008 American Geophysical Union
(AGU) Meeting, San Francisco: “Meltwater and Abrupt Climate Change in
the Gulf of Mexico During the Last Glacial Termination”
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2008-2009
Student Awards
Professional Development Awards
– Kara Radabaugh, Marine Resource Assessment, PhD Student
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Selected as Student Delegate, Education Without
Borders 2009 Conference, hosted by the College of
Higher Technology in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
(picture below: Kara Radabaugh – shown on left)
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2007-2008
2008-2009
– Patrick Schwing, Geological Oceanography, PhD Student
• Accepted into the NSF and NASA funded
MSPHDS Professional Development Program
(2008-2009)
(picture below: Patrick Schwing – shown on right)
Faculty Awarded National Honors
Albert Hine
Francis P. Shepard Medal for Excellence in Marine Geology
Society of Sedimentary Geology
Eugene Shinn
Twenhofel Medal
Society of Sedimentary Geology
David Mann
Elected Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Faculty News
Boris Galperin along with colleagues discovered a new class of nonlinear waves, zonon, was
published in October issue of Physical Review Letters.
Chuanmin Hu along with colleagues from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration discovered they can use satellite images to detect oil seeping from oil
fields beneath the seafloor of the Gulf of Mexico in the January issue of Journal of
Geophysical Research Letters.
Eric Montie, lead author of a study that lays the groundwork for understanding how
environmental contaminants influence the central nervous system of marine mammals.
The story was covered by Discovery News and media.
Robert Weisberg and Lianyuan Zheng reported their findings on the capabilities of 3-D
storm surge modeling in the December issue of the Journal of Geophysical Research that
the storm surge models used by the federal agencies are outdated and risk underestimating
the deadly storm surge and flooding potential.
CMS Faculty serve on: 14 International Committees and 36 National Committees
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Eminent Scholar Lecture Series
Frontiers in Marine Science – March 4th – 5th
Michael Bender – Princeton University – “Variations in the net community
production and carbon export in the oceans”
Karen Bice – Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution – “90 million year old
oceans: Why we might be wrong about the future”
Jed Fuhrman – University of Southern California – “Patterns in marine
microbes and microbial association networks”
Isaac Ginis – University of Rhode Island – “The science and challenges of
hurricane forecasting”
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Education Outreach Efforts
Oceanography Camp for Girls (OCG)
The Oceanography Camp for Girls was developed
to inspire and motivate young women entering high
school to consider career opportunities in the
sciences.
In-service Teacher Oceanography Workshops
(In-TOW)
In TOW provides teachers with marine science
learning experiences that engage participants in
current and emerging ocean research and
technologies.
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Center of Excellence
The College of Marine Science is working in
an advisory capacity to help establish a
Center of Excellence in Marine Sciences and
Technology within the Pinellas County
School District. Centers of Excellence is a
unique program that enables high school
students in Pinellas County to earn high
school credit, college credit and industry
certification in select areas of specialization.
The NOSB provides
an educational forum
for students to excel in
math and science and
receive national
recognition for their
diligence and talents.
Education Outreach Efforts
Girls Scouts - Marine Science and Technology
Workshop (10-25-2008)
Thirty Cadettes and Senior Girl Scouts from the West Central Florida Council
participated in a full day of marine science discovery at the Girl Scout Marine
Science and Technology Workshop held on Saturday, October 25, 2008.
The workshop was organized by Dr. Mya Breitbart, Ali Hudon, and Dr. Kim
Pause from the USF College of Marine Science. During the event, Girl Scouts
cleaned up a local beach, used a seine net to collect fish and invertebrates from
Tampa Bay, toured the Pier Aquarium, learned about meteorology, toured an
oceanographic research vessel, performed a plankton tow, examined samples
under the microscope, built remotely operated vehicles, and explored the fields of
marine geology, acoustics, ecology, and microbiology. Throughout the day the
girls had the opportunity to interact with female scientists (including researchers,
graduate students, and aquarium staff) and interview them about their careers.
These interactions are critical for developing girls’ interest in science and
technology, and encouraging the girls to pursue these interests. Each Girl Scout
earned the “From Shore to Sea” Interest Project by participating in the event, but
more importantly, had the opportunity to develop a lasting interest in marine
science and technology.
Throughout the day, the Girl Scouts had the opportunity to interact with female
scientists (including researchers, graduate students, and aquarium staff) and
interview them about their careers. These interactions are critical for developing
girls’ interest in science and technology, and encouraging the girls to pursue
these interests. Each Girl Scout earned the “From Shore to Sea” Interest Project
by participating in the event, but more importantly, had the opportunity to develop
a lasting interest in marine science and technology.
Annual Report
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Corporate and Foundation Relations
During AY 2008-09, donors contributed or pledged $353,246. The College of Marine Science
successfully engaged and established working relationships with the following corporations, foundations
and organizations:
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Wachovia Bank of St. Petersburg
WorkNet Pinellas
County School District
Pinellas Education Foundation
Coda Octopus Group
Beckwith Electric Company
Ocean Optics Inc.
Sysco Corporation
OSI Restaurant Partners (Bonefish)
Praxeis, LLC
Pinch A Penny
New Advantage Corporation
Marine Desalination Systems, LLC
National Fisheries Institute
Odyssey Marine Exploration
United Services Automobile
Association (USAA)
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2008-2009
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Exxon Mobil
Tampa Bay Pilots Association
Shell Oil Company
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Water Resource Associates
Claro Scientific, LLC
International Whaling Commission
Pinellas County Community
Foundation
Bright House/Pinellas
Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries
Foundation
Community Foundation of Tampa Bay
Eckerd Family Foundation
Southwest Florida Water Management
District
ARCS Foundation
• Surdna Foundation
• The Ocean Fund
• Helios Education Foundation
• Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation
• Consortium for Ocean Leadership
(NOSB)
• The Ocean Foundation
• The Barbara Delano Foundation
• Vasant Sheth Memorial Foundation
(India)
• The Curtis and Edith Munson
Foundation
• Raytheon Network Centric Systems
• Progress Energy Florida
• Lazzara Yachts
Staff Recognition
Desiree Woroner
Elected Administrative & Professional
(A&P) Council
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Cam Ngo
Recipient of Quiet Quality Award
Elected Staff Senator
Recent Activities
Hurricane Storm Surge Workshop held in February in collaboration with federal partners
on storm surge modeling. Much energy generated. Action items are being pursued.
ExxonMobil John Young, Management Team Coordinator for the Marine Sound Issue of
ExxonMobil visited CMS to discuss joint opportunities between USF and ExxonMobil.
Subsequent meetings have evolved.
“Guardians of the Gulf” a full length high definition documentary that provides a
comprehensive overview of the impacts of the Florida red tide and the research that is
being conducted to mitigate and predict it. As a result of this film CMS has a eight minute
DVD to use for promotion of the college.
Spring Fling and Fish Fry held in May with College of Marine Science, Florida Fish and
Wildlife Research Institute, National Marine Fisheries Service, and US Geological Survey
enhancing cooperative relationships between agencies.
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Recent Activities
UK Met Office/Hadley Center and the Science and Innovation from the UK Consulate in
Atlanta visited USF for possible collaboration on research with USF.
Hanoi University of Science delegation visited the College of Marine Science for possible
research collaborations and establishment of an undergraduate and graduate program in
Marine Science.
Dr. Jim Luyten, Director of Red Sea Science and Engineering Center, King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology, visited the College of Marine Science for
possible research collaborations between USF, KAUST and MOTE.
John Hofmeister Citizens for Affordable Energy and former CEO of Shell Oil presented
“America’s energy security: After 35 years of systemic failure, what we must do
differently”.
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Marine Resource Assessment Program
Starting in Fall 2009, the College of Marine Science will be
offering a new, interdisciplinary concentration in Marine
Resource Assessment (MRA) as part of its Ph.D. and M.S.
programs in Marine Science. The new concentration will
provide training in the emerging field of ecosystem-based
management.
The mission will be to train a new generation of scientists that can
effectively address issues concerning the sustainability of the
world’s living natural resources.
The program will prepare students for employment in academia, the environmental consulting industry
and government.
Students in the program will interact strongly with one or more of the state and federal resourcemanagement agencies that are located near the College of Marine Science in St. Petersburg,
including the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office, and the
Florida Integrated Science Center of the US Geological Survey.
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Major Accomplishments
Five New Faculty Members
Purchase Of The R/V Weatherbird II
Strategic Plan
University Wide Compact Planning
Alumni
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2007-2008
2008-2009
New Faculty Positions
Dr. Don Chambers – Oceanographer Specializing in SatelliteRemote Sensing, start date August 7, 2009
Dr. Chuanmin Hu - Oceanographer Specializing in SatelliteRemote Sensing, start date August 7, 2009
Dr. Ernst Peebles – Fish Ecologist, start date March 6, 2009
Dr. Sang-ik Shin – Global-scale, Ocean-Atmosphere Interaction
Modeler, start date August 7, 2009
Dr. Qingnon Xiao – Mesoscale, Ocean-Atmosphere Interaction
Modeler, start date August 7, 2009
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2007-2008
2008-2009
R/V Weatherbird II
R/V Weatherbird II, a 115ft research vessel, will provide the University, as well as
our 11 State Universities and private researcher supported by the Florida Institute
of Oceanography, with a significantly upgraded oceanographic capability for
conducting research in Florida’s coastal ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, the
Caribbean, and the western Atlantic Ocean off the southeast US coast. This vessel
will be extremely beneficial to the University in our efforts to join the AAU.
It will allow us to attract the best and brightest marine science and
related faculty, to recruit the best graduate students, to continue our
partnerships with federal and state agencies and to forge new and
stronger relationships with other Florida colleges and universities.
The R/V Weatherbird II provides new sea-keeping as well as other atsea capabilities which will increase our research efforts into real-time
sensor development, ocean observing, and prediction of societallyrelevant phenomena such as red-tide occurrence, coral reef demise,
and hurricane storm-surge prediction. This ability will allow us to
continue to attract high-tech industry to the area. Additionally, the
R/V Weatherbird II will provide the platform for us to work with
federal and private companies on research for determining potential
energy sources off the Florida coast.
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2008-2009
Strategic Plan
Completed CMS Strategic Plan
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2007-2008
2008-2009
University Wide Compact Planning
Goal I
- Expand opportunities for interdisciplinary
research
Goal II - Establish CMS as innovation leader among
oceanography graduate programs
Goal III - Emphasize collaborative relationships
Goal IV - Grow the program, increase stability and
community relevance
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Alumni News
Dr. Lee Kump, Ph.D. ‘86, Professor of Geosciences at Penn State University,
received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Alumni Association
Dr. Jim Acker, Ph.D. ‘88, Wyle Information Systems NASA, held an Ocean
Color Historical Workshop at the College of Marine Science
Dr. David John, Ph.D. ’03, College of Marine Science, received the Sackett
Prize for Innovative Research for Outstanding Research
CMS Alumni established a Marine Science Alumni Society as part of the
USF Alumni Association
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2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010 Objectives
Collaboration with FWRI, NOAA/NMFS, USGS and Mote
Target Date
Ongoing
Upgrade scientific capabilities of R/V Weatherbird II
Ongoing
Plan NOAA Administrative Services visit for local
scientists and Florida Universities
September 2009
Plan Ocean Acidification Workshop with NMFS Alaska
Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks
Spring 2010
Develop FIO AISO into statewide coordinating body
Ongoing
Integrate the International Ocean Institute
Ongoing
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2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010 Objectives (cont.)
• Increase promotion of CMS at the national level
• Develop recruitment plan (dean and other)
• Address long-term infrastructure needs
• Enhance website
• Secure NAS membership
• Continue momentum of Marine Resource Assessment program
• Review and optimize organization
• Continue diversity initiatives
• Enhance alumni relations
• Create external affairs office (PR, fundraising, grants, education/outreach)
• Obtain significant endowment(s)
• Increase number of grant proposals
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2008-2009
Challenges/Opportunities
Student Recruitment /Fellowships –
Challenges
– Development of a system to offer long-term/multi-year support for incoming students
at the time of acceptance, which involves Fellowship and Grant obligations
– Increasing the number of qualified international and minority applications, without
additional funds for recruitment
– Incorporate a recruitment plan that results in graduating more Ph.D.s
Opportunities
– Take advantage of the newly instated residency policy that will provide out of state
waivers to students hired on research grants or awarded full fellowships
– Marine Resource Assessment concentration to attract students to our program
– New faculty hires will create opportunities for new student recruitment
– Gain better understanding why students choose and do not choose CMS
– Follow-up on graduates and develop a database
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2007-2008
2008-2009
Challenges/Opportunities
Federal Funding – Need to increase efforts to identify and apply for Federal funds,
especially from nontraditional sources. Dedicated grantsmanship skills are the
challenge.
Reliable Funding for COT – The ongoing value of Center for Ocean Technology as part of
the College of Marine Science must be incorporated into funding plans. A new identity
and innovation are the challenges.
Fundraising – Challenge is to engage successful leadership level ($1 M or more) givers
with an interest in marine science research/education.
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2007-2008
2008-2009