USC.edu

Cornelius W Sullivan

Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences
Email csulliva@usc.edu

Biography

Cornelius (Neal) W. Sullivan is Professor of Biological Sciences at USC’s College of letters, Arts and Sciences since 1974. He was named the first Director of The Marine Biology Research Section of the Department in 1981 served for nine years then was appointed Diector of the Allan Hancock Foundation and Institute for Marine and Coastal Studies from 1990-93. From 1993-97 he served in Washington, D.C. as Director of the National Science Foundation’s Office of Polar Programs and Director of the U.S. Antarctic Research Program. Under Presidential Decision Directive #6646 he was point for the NSF planning, funding and management of all U.S. activities in Antarctica. He managed a professional staff of sixty in his office and oversaw a $100M private contract for polar operations and logistics. Sullivan successfuly lead the NSF’s effort to gain Congressional support ($150M) to rebuild the South Pole Station and helped in obtaining use of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines for scientific explorations of Arctic seas. Sullivan provided Congressional testimony on nine occassions before U. S. Senate and U. S. house of Representatives Committees on basic sceinces. He was named Vice Provost for Research at the University of Sounthern California in July, 1997 and served through July, 2005. In this role he was responsible for for developing new university wide programs of interdisciplinary research, research strategic planning, ethics in research, intellectual property & technology transfer, and compliance with federal state and local regulatns governing research at the University Park and Health Sciences Campuses. He represented the University’s research interests in Washington, D.C. He was Provost’s liaison to the Schools of Dentistry, Gerontology, Pharmacy and the Independent Health Professions for strategic planning and budgeting. In 1999 he successfully led USC’s effort to establish the USC Institute for Creative Technologies, University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) focused on training that currently is supported by the DOD at $200M for 10 years. The ICT reported to Sullivan from 1999-2005 and he represented USC and the UARC to the U. S. Army Office of Science while serving as V.P. Research. Dr. Sullivan’s research interests are in life and ocean sciences. His extensive polar research experiences have centered on understanding the structure and function of ice covered ocean ecosystems and, in paricular the relationships between biological and geophysical features of the Southern Ocean at scales that range from the microscopic to global. His work has elucidated aspects of the physiology and ecology of sea ice microbial communities, their adpations to this fascinating habitat and their role in providing seed for large blooms of phytoplankton in the marginal ice edge zone. Sullivan has led more than a dozen scientific expeditions to the Antarctic and Arctic Oceans including a six year, two ship multidisciplinary research program (AMERIEZ) in the Weddell Sea to investigate the influence of seasonal changes and sea ice dynamics on ecosystem structure and function. His earlier investigations were directed at understanding cellular regulation of bio-mineralization (diatom silicification), biogeochemical processes in ocean plankton and the reciprocal interactions of marine microorganisms and their environment. Specific approaches to address his research interests span biochemistry, cell biology, microbial physiology, ocean ecology, ecosystem modeling and satellite remote sensing. Dr. Sullivan is the recipient of the National Science Foundation’s Antarctic Service Medal of the United States. “Sullivan Heights, Antarctica”, a sixty square kilometer area including 8,000 foot mountain peaks and glaciers was named in his honor in 1997. He was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1994, a Fellow of the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) in 1998 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the CCST, in Sacramento, California. He has served as a member of the Polar Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences NRC, NSF Directors Ploicy Group, Editorial Board of Polar Biology & J. Microbial Methods, Research Compliance & Administration Committee of Council on Governmment Relations (COGR) and corporate member of the Alfred E. Mann Institute Biomedical Engineering. Sullivan is holder of a U. S. patent for heat sensitive bacterial alkaline phosphatase (commercial product “The Antarctic AP’ase”). Sullivan has trained eleven Ph.D’s, mentored eight Post-doctoral scholars and published more than 120 articles in refereed scientific journals. He earned his Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the University of California, San Diego in 1971 and spent three years in La Jolla as a Post doctoral scholar at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. His M.S. and B. S. Degrees in Microbiology and Biochemistry, respectively, were awarded from the Pennsylvania State University in 1967 & 1965.

Education

  • Ph.D. Marine Biology, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, 1/1971
  • M.S. Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University, 1/1967
  • B.S. Biochemistry, Pennsylvania State University, 1/1965
    • POST DOCTORAL FELLOW, SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY, 01/1971-09/1974

  • Tenure Track Appointments

    • PROFESSOR, University of Southern California, 09/1985 –
    • ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, University of Southern California, 09/1981 – 09/1985
    • ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, University of Southern California, 09/1974 – 09/1980

    PostDoctoral Appointments

    • Postdoctoral Fellow, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego , 01/1971 – 01/1974

    Visiting and Temporary Appointments

    • DIRECTOR U.S. ANTARCTIC PROGRAM & DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF POLAR PROGRAMS, IPA, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, 05/1993-09/1997
    • VISITING SENIOR SCHOLAR, US ARMY COLD REGIONS RESEARCH & ENGINEERING LABORATORY, 09/1990-01/1991
    • VISITING SCIENTIST, GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, NASA, 01/1991-06/1991
    • VISITING PROFESSOR, DEPT. MOLECULAR, CELLULAR & DEVEMENTAL BIOLOGY AT UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, 09/1981-01/1982
    • VISITING PROFESSOR, RALPH M. PARSONS LABORATORY. MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, 01/1981-05/1982

    Other Employment

    • VICE PROVOST OF RESEARCH, USC, University of Southern California, 07/1997-07/2005
    • DIRECTOR OF HANCOCK FOUNDATION & INSTITUTE OF MARINE & COASTAL STUDIES, University of Southern California, 09/1991-06/1993
    • DIRECTOR MARINE BIOLOGY RESEARCH SECTION OF DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, University of Southern California, 09/1982-09/1991

  • Summary Statement of Research Interests

    Professor Sullivan’s scientific research focuses on the structure and function of ice covered ocean ecosystems in the context of global change. The ecology of sea ice microbial communities and carbon cycling in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Biological useful natural products, including enzymes and ice active substances, produced by organisms that grow in permanently cold ocean environments. Satellite remote sensing of the dynamic relations between surface geophysical and biological properties of polar oceans.
    Earlier investigations involved biomineralization of silicic acid by diatoms studied at a cellular level to determine how these eukaryotic cells build an architecturally elegant, genetically determined bio-mineral as part of their cell wall.

    Research Keywords

    Biological Oceanography, Marine Biology, microbial physiological ecology, global change research of polar regions, satellite remote sensing of polar oceans, sea ice microbial communities

  • Journal Article

    • Taylor, G. T., Sullivan, C. W. (2008). Vitamin B12 and cobalt cycling among diatoms and bacteria in Antarctic sea ice microbial communities. Limnology & Oceanography. Vol. 208 (53/5), pp. 1862-1877.
    • Fellow, California Council on Science and Technology, 2000
    • Fellow (or Equivalent) of National Society in Discipline, Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1996
    • Editorial Board of Polar Biology, 1987
    • Recipient of National or International Prize in Discipline, Antarctic Service Medal, National Science Foundation, 1981
    • Vice Chairman California Council of Science and Technology, 2005-2008
    • Member Executive Advisory Board, Institute for Creative Studies ,a U.S Army UARC, 2000-2005
    • Member Board of Directors ,Alfred E. Mann Institute of Biomedical Engineering, 1999-2005
    • Member Research Compliance & Administration Commitee of the Council on Government Relations, 2002-2004
    • Member, Director=s policy Group,National Science Foundations 1993-1997, 1993-1997
    • Scientific Commitee on Oceanic Research(SCOR) Working Group>86 , on the Ecology of Sea Ice, 1987-1993
    • SCAR(Scientific Committee of Antartic Research) Group of Specialist on Southern Ocean Ecology, 1986-1993
    • Marine Sciences Advisory Committee ,USC, 1987-1990
    • Academic Coordinator for Living Marine Resources ,USC Sea Grant Program, 1986-1990
    • Polar Research Board,NRC/NAS,Committee to Evaluate Polar Research Platforms, 1985-1989
    • Steering Committee for Antartic Marine Ecosystem Research at the Ice Edge Zone(AMERIEZ), 1982-1989
    • Steering Committee ,Polarstern Winter Weddell Research Experdition, 1984-1986
    • BIOMASS Working Party on Pack-ICE Zone Studies(SCAR), 1983-1986
    • Member of Polar Research Board,National Academy of Sciences, 1983-1986
    • Ecological Research Project Review Board ,United States Dept. of the Navy,Pacific Missile Test, 1982-1985
    • Editorial Board of Journal of Microbiological Methods(Elsevier), 1982-1985
    • US public Health Service Predoctoral Trainee, 1967-1971

  • Office Hours

      M, Tu, W & appt : 11-2pm, 10-11:30, 1-3pm, Also by appt

  • Administrative Appointments

    • Vice Provost for Research, USC, 07/01/1997 – 07/01/2005

    Committees

    • Member, University Committee on Appointments, Promotions, and Tenure (UCAPT), 2008 – 2010
    • Chair, MEB Faculty merit evaluation committee, 2007 – 2009
    • Member, MEB Recruitment Committee, 2007 – 2009

    Review Panels

    • Provost Office, UCAP, 2010-2011

  • Committees

    • Co-Chair, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (CCST), 04/2005 –
    • Member, JOHN & ALICE TYLER ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, 01/2000 –
    • Member, FELLOW, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE, 01/1996 –
    • Chair, INSTITUTE FOR CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES, UARC EXECUTIVE ADVISORY BOARD, 09/2000 – 06/2005
    • Member, ALFRED E. MANN INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 01/1999 – 06/2005
    • Member, COGR, COUNCIL ON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, WASHINGTON, 01/1998 – 05/2005
    • Member, COUNCIL ON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, WASHINGTON,
      RESEARCH COMPLIANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE, 01/2002 – 12/2004
    • Member, NSF DIRECTOR’S POLICY GROUP, 06/1993 – 07/1997
    • Chair, SCOR, SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON OCEAN RESEARCH WORKING GROUP #86, ECOLOGY OF SEA ICE, 01/1987 – 05/1993
    • Member, SCAR, SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON ANTARCTIC RESEARCH, US REPRESENTATIVE, 01/1986 – 05/1993
    • Chair, POLAR RESEARCH BOARD’S (NRC/NAS)COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE POLAR RESEARCH PLATFORMS, 09/1985 – 09/1989
    • Member, POLAR RESEARCH BOARD, NAS/NRC, 06/1983 – 09/1986

    Editorships and Editorial Boards

    • EDITORIAL BOARD, POLAR BIOLOGY, 01/1987 – 01/1993
    • EDITORIAL BOARD, JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGICAL METHODS, 01/1982 – 12/1985

    Other Service to the Profession

    • NSF FY 1995 APPROPRIATIONS, HEARING BEFORE THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON VA, HUD & INDEPENDENT AGENCIES, US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVS, 103RD CONGRESS, MARCH 22,1994,
    • NSF FY 1995 APPROPRIATIONS, HEARING BEFORE THE VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES, U.S. SENATE, 103RD CONGRESS, MARCH 17TH, 1994,
    • IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION FOR THE ANTARCTIC PROTOCOL ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO THE ANTARCTIC TREATY, HEARING BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS , MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 103RD CONGRESS, JULY 21, 1993,
    • CONGRSSIONAL TESTIMONY:
      NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION FY2001 BUDGET AUTHORIZATION REQUEST, PART III, A VIEW FROM OUTSIDE THE NSF, AT A HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON BASIC RESEARCH, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 106TH CONGRESS, MARCH 15, 2000,
    • NSF FY 1998 APPROPRIATIONS, HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON BASIC RESEARCH, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 104TH CONGRESS, APRIL 11, 1997,
    • FUTURE OF ANTRACTIC RESEARCH, HEARNG BEFORE THE SCIENCE COMMITTEE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON BASIC RESEARCH, U.S.HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 104TH CONGRESS, MARCH 22,1994,
    • NSF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT OF 1991, HEARING BEFORE THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 102ND CONGRESS, MAY 14, 1991,