MMRI & Spectracopy Facility

Scientific Co-Directors
Jeffrey MacDonald, PhD –physical and equipment
Michael K. Stoskopf, DVM, PhD, D.ACZM  - biological and administrative

The only large bore high field magnet dedicated to the study of marine life in the United States forms the foundation of this unique North Carolina facility.   The 30 cm bore 4.7 T instrument is specially equipped to look at living marine creatures.  Special equipment upgrades funded by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center allow marine scientists to use the magnet much as if it were a microscope combined with a chemical analyzer to look at changes in the state of hydrogen, carbon, phosphorous, and fluorine atoms in relation to extremely detailed anatomy.

Designed to facilitate collaborative investigations by university, government, and industry scientists, the facility provides support to scientists wanting to apply the technology to their own research.  It also provides magnet time to student research projects.  The flexibility of the instruments allows scientist to study questions ranging from how sea food spoils, to how toxins, drugs or even environmental stressors affect the physiology and biochemistry of marine animals.

Advisory Council
Stephen Blackband PhD
Michael Gamsick PhD