Alan Verde is a Professor within the Corning School of Ocean Studies at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA).  His research interests include both tropical and temperate cnidarian (corals, anemones, jellyfish) endosymbiosis involving unicellular algae, both tropical and temperate sea cucumber physiology and ecology, anemonefish-anemone symbiosis, and temperate octopus biology and ecology.  Alan completed his Post-doctoral at Oregon State University, Ph.D. at Florida Institute of Technology, and both Master's and Bachelor’s of Science at Walla Walla University, Washington.  As the Diving Safety Officer, Alan oversees all aspects of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) - sponsored scientific diving program at MMA. (May 2017) Alan's Sitka Activities

• KCAW morning interview
• Led a special SSSC "Behind the Scenes" event all about cnidarians
• Natural History Seminar: "Green or Brown, To Be or Not To Be: Anemone and Shakespearean drama in the intertidal zone of the Pacific"                    
• Explored intertidal ecosystems with a group of high school students during some extreme low tides
• Went anemone-hunting with local naturalists
• Guest scientist during "Artistry with Algae" event with local teachers
• Radio interview on the Sitka Nature Show