Furman University

Dr. Melissa L. Ranhofer

Adjunct Professor, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Adjunct Professor, Undergraduate Evening Studies

153 Rinker Hall

Phone: (864) 294-3647

e-mail: Melissa.ranhofer@furman.edu

Education

2009    Ph.D. Marine Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia

2005    M.S. Geology, University of South Carolina, Columbia

2002    B.S. Marine Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia

Academic Positions

2009-present   Adjunct Professor

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

and Undergraduate Evening Studies

Furman University

2005-2009  Laboratory Curator and Teaching Assistant, Marine Science Program

University of South Carolina, Columbia

2003-2005  Laboratory Curator and Teaching Assistant, Department of Geological Sciences

University of South Carolina, Columbia

Academic Awards

2009 Center for Teaching Excellence: Preparing Future Faculty Award

2007 The F. John Vernberg Teaching Assistant Award

Courses for 2012-2013

Fall Term:

EES 112 - Environmental Science 

Spring Term:

EES 112 - Environmental Science

Summer Term:

EES 112 - Environmental Science (Summer I)

EES 111 - Earth and the Silver Screen (Undergraduate Evening Studies) 

Other courses taught

EES 110 -  Earth Systems

Community Outreach - Guest Lectures

2012   “Using Geology in the Field of Marine Science” 

Clemson University, Clemson, SC

2011   “Rock and Mineral Resources of South Carolina” 

Greer Middle School, Greer, SC

      
                “Life After the Bubble - A Student's Guide for Applying to Grad School and Jobs” 

Furman University, Greenville, SC

“The Wonders of Phytoplankton”

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

Furman University, Greenville, SC

2010 “The Earth’s Biomes and Resources” 

Greer Middle School, Greer, SC 

“Environmental Hazards & the Geology of South Carolina”

Sterling School, Greenville, SC

2009-10 “The Awesome Power of Phytoplankton”

The University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC  

Professional Memberships

Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography 

American Geophysical Union 

Carolina Geological Society

Professional Publications

Ranhofer, M.L., E. Lawrenz, J.L. Pinckney, C.R. Benitez-Nelson and T.L. Richardson. (2009).  Utilization of dissolved organic phosphorus by summer phytoplankton communities in Winyah Bay, South Carolina, U. S. A.  Estuaries and Coasts 32:943-957.

Lawrenz, E., J.L. Pickney, M.L. Ranhofer, H.L. MacIntyre and T.L. Richardson. (2010). Spectral Irradiance and Phytoplankton Community Composition in a Blackwater-Dominated Estuary, Winyah Bay, South Carolina, USA.  Estuaries and Coasts  33:1186-1201.

Published Abstracts

2007   “Utilization of Dissolved Organic Phosphorus (DOP) by  phytoplankton in Winyah Bay, 

South Carolina.”  Baruch Institute Symposium Abstracts

2006   “Distribution, Fluxes and Potential Sources of Sinking Particulate Phosphorus in 

the Cariaco Basin, Venezuela.”  ASLO Summer 2006 Meeting Abstracts.  

2003   “Characterization of phosphorus in sinking particles in Cariaco Basin, Venezuela." 

A.G.U. Fall 2003 Abstracts

2001    “A Comparison of Total Suspended Matter Fluctuations over an Eight-Hour Cruise 

and Two Thirty-hour Time Series Experiments, Winyah Bay Estuary, South Carolina.”   S.E.E.R.S. Spring 2001 Abstracts.  

“Evidence for Phosphorus Limitation in the Winyah Bay Estuary, Georgetown, South 

Carolina." S.E.E.R.S. Spring 2001 Abstracts.

2000   “A Study of Surface Sediment Geochemistry and Fluctuations of Total Suspended Matter 

Over a Thirty-Hour Time Series Experiment, Winyah Bay, South Carolina.”  S.E.E.R.S. 

Fall 2000 Abstracts.

“The Study of Water Chemistry to Measure the Effects of Point and Non-Point Pollution 

in Winyah Bay, South Carolina.”  S.E.E.R.S. Fall 2000 Abstracts.

“The Geochemical Properties of Surface Sediments in Winyah Bay, South Carolina.” 

A.G.U. Spring 2000 Abstracts.

“ADCP Measurement of Flow Throughout a Tidal Cycle in the Winyah Bay Estuary of 

South Carolina, USA” A.G.U. Fall 2000 Abstracts.

Presentations

“Utilization of Dissolved Organic Phosphorus (DOP) by phytoplankton in Winyah Bay, South Carolina.”  2007, Baruch Institute Symposium, Hobcaw Barony, Georgetown, SC. (Oral Presentation)

“Distribution, Fluxes and Potential Sources of Sinking Particulate Phosphorus in the Cariaco Basin, Venezuela.”  2006, ASLO Summer Meeting, Victoria, Canada. (Oral presentation)

“Characterization of phosphorus in sinking particles in Cariaco Basin, Venezuela.”  2003 A.G.U. Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA. (Poster Presentation)

 

“Marine Aquatic Research Experience (M.A.R.E.), a student driven research program,” 2001, 2002 University of South Carolina Showcase, Columbia, SC. (Oral Presentation)

“Marine Aquatic Research Experience (M.A.R.E.): "Under the Estuary: Connecting the Land and the Ocean"” The South Carolina Academy of Sciences USC Bicentennial Midlands

MESA Fall Workshop-Grades 4-8, Columbia, SC. (Oral Presentation)

“A Comparison of Total Suspended Matter Fluctuations over an Eight-Hour Cruise and Two Thirty-hour Time Series Experiments, Winyah Bay Estuary, South Carolina.”  2001 Spring S.E.E.R.S. Meeting, Charleston, S.C. (Poster Presentation)

“A Study of Surface Sediment Geochemistry and Fluctuations of Total Suspended Matter Over a Thirty-Hour Time Series Experiment, Winyah Bay, South Carolina.”  2000 Fall S.E.E.R.S. Meeting, Tampa, F.L. (Poster Presentation)

“The Geochemical Properties of Surface Sediments in Winyah Bay, South Carolina.” 2000 A.G.U. Spring Conference, Washington D.C.  (Poster Presentation)