EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2009- Principal Investigator with SETI , Mountain View California
2009- University of Kentucky, Department of Earth & Environmental Science
2009-09 Francis Parker High School teaching 11th and 12th graders Marine Science
2008-current Consultant work for the Grand Bahama Committee for Concerned Residence
2008-2009 Environmental Geologist and Consultant, H. M. Pitt Laboratory,
San Diego, CA
2007-08 Visiting Professor Department of Marine Science and Environmental Studies, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA.
2003-07 Adjunct Professor Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC.
2005-05 File Reviewer for Motley Rice Attorneys, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
2004-04 Lecturer, 2004 Governor’s School Program, College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina
1990-92 Lab Instructor, Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University
1987-88 Librarian, U. S. Corp of Engineers, Charleston SC.
1986-87 Librarian, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2000 – present On going research into the isolation and characterization of bacteria in Bahamian carbonates and their role in rock dissolution (cave development). Also examining Saharan Dust Toxicity in the Bahamas.
2003-2003 A principal investigator aiding in sterile collection methods on NASA Deep Sea Hydrothermal Project at the East Pacific Rise
2000-2000 Research Assistant in the area of Maritime Law, T.C. Beirne Law School at the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Australia
1996-97 Scientific Diver, European Economic Commonwealth Aegean Sea Hydrothermal Vent Study
1988-89 Research diver for the State of South Carolina, South Carolina Wildlife, Fort Johnson, South Carolina
1987-88 Cell-culture research technician, Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
GRANTS, EQUIPMENT, AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS
2009 H.M.Pitt Labs Corporate sponsorship (sample analysis) $10,000
2008 Field Bursary Bahamian Field Station Grant $2,000 (room and board)
2008 H.M.Pitt Labs Corporate sponsorship (sample analysis) $10,000
2008 Wings Trust Foundation $1000
2008 Janulis Theodore Foundation $2000
2008 Hydrolab, Hach Corporate sponsorship (instruments) $40,000
2008 Aqualung Corporate sponsorship with equipment $30,000
2008 Onset Computer Corporate sponsorship (instruments) $1000
2007 Field Bursary Bahamian Field Station Grant $2,000 (room and board)
2007 Awarded Fellowship standing with the Wings Trust Foundation
2006 Field Bursary Bahamian Field Station Grant $2,000 (room and board)
2005 Field Bursary Bahamian Field Station Grant $2,000 (room and board)
2005 Fellow of the Explorers Club
2004 Field Bursary Bahamian Field Station Grant $2,000 (room and board)
2004 Alumna of the Year Award, College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina
2003 Leila Hadley Luce Award for Courage in Exploration and Research: $10,000
1993 University Postgraduate Scholarship, University of Bristol: ~$25,000;
1993 Geological Society of America, Field Research Grant: $2,000;
1993 Ghar Parau Grant: ~$750.00
1990 Field Bursary Bahamian Field Station Grant: $3,900
The following have also provided equipment for research and field-work
Gul Wetsuits, UK; Rolex, UK; Apex Regulators, UK; Dive-Rite, USA; US Divers, USA;
Aqualung USA, (Barcardi, Mexico, funds to purchase a research microscope (not rum)), Hydrolab, Onsett Computers
TEACHING INTERESTS
Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry of carbonate environments, Environmental
Geology, Carbonate Sedimentary Petrology, Earth History and Evolution, Introduction to
Physical Geology, Geological Oceanography, Oceanography, Paleoclimate and History
of Oceans, Paleontology, Micropaleontology, Geoarcheology, Environmental Hazards,
Environmental Policy, International Environmental Law, Law of the Sea, Science and
Law.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Biogeochemistry of carbonate deposits of the Bahamas and Australia; Sedimentary Petrology of Carbonates, Soil formation in the Bahamas, Forensic Geology, Cave Hydrogeochemistry in the Bahamas and Australia, Geoarcheological within the caves of the Bahamas, and International and National Environmental Law
SKILLS
Legal
Admitted to the Queensland Bar as Barrister-at-Law, Queensland, Australia;
registered mediator at the Supreme Court of Queensland, Australia
Consulting
Subsurface Environmental Consultant for the Rob Palmer Blue Holes Foundation
Computer
Macintosh and PC
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); various graphing packages
Language
Fluent in German and English; basic reading and speaking French, Spanish, Arabic and
American Sign language
Diving
NAUI instructor, Nitrox Instructor, HSE Part IV Commercial Diver License, UK (for the
purpose of scientific diving); Cave and Sump Certification (Australia) IANTD,
NSS-CDS, Cave Diver NSS_CDS (USA), Trimix, Rebreather, Gas Blender qualified,
TDI Cavern and Cave Instructor.
Medical
First Responder Medic, Diver Medic including chamber medic (HSE) UK
Other
HSE Part IV small boat handling and navigation, American Red Cross Canoeing
Instructor, Water Safety Instructor (Red Cross)
40 HOUR HAZWOPER, Regulations governing OSHA-40, respirator
training, HAZ/MAT Waste and worker safety; San Diego REBRAC; Phase I and Phase II
remediation work of Brown Fields
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Member of the Geological Society of America
Member of the Queensland Environmental Law Association
Member of the Environment Institute of Australia
Member of the Queensland Bar Association
Fellow of the Explorers Club, New York
Fellow of the Wing Trust Foundation, New York
PUBLICATIONS
Schwabe, S. J., Carew, J. L., 2009, How can buffered vadose and phreatic water dissolve CaCO3 and form caves: the bacterial
answer: International COnference on Speleology, Kerrville, Texas, USA 15th International Congress of Speleology
Proceedings, v. 1., Sympossia Part 1, Geomicrobiology Division, p. 413-415.
Schwabe, S. J., Cathcart, E. M., and Carew, J. L., 2008, Elevated levels of heavy metals
detected in modern soils and flooded-cave sediments from the Bahamas, 14th
Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions (In Press).
Schwabe, S. J., 2008, The difficulties of sampling in underwater caves in the Bahamas:
An exercise in ingenuity and survival, in: Brueggeman P, ed., Diving for Science Proceedings of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences 27th Symposium, Dauphin Island, AL: American Academy of Underwater Science, p. 148-159.
Herbert, R. A., Gall, A., Cogdell, R., Robert, B., and Schwabe, S. J., 2007,
Phototrophic purple sulfur bacteria as heat engines in the South Andros black hole, the Bahamas: Photosynthesis Research, DOI 10.1007/s11120-007-9246-1.
Schwabe, S. J., Carew, J. L., and Herbert, R., 2007, Making caves in the Bahamas:
Different Recipes, Same Ingredients, in Parks, L., and Freile, D., eds., Proceedings of the 13th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions (2006); San Salvador, Bahamas, Gerace Research Centre, p. 153-167.
Schwabe, S. J., Herbert, R., and Carew, J. L., 2007, A hypothesis for biogenic cave
formation, in Parks, L., and Freile, D., eds., Proceedings of the 13th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions (2007); San Salvador, Bahamas, Gerace Research Centre, p. 141-152.
Schwabe, S. J., and Carew, J. L., 2006, Blue holes: an inappropriate moniker for water-filled caves in the Bahamas, in Davis, R. L., and Gamble, D., eds., Proceedings of the 12th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions (2004): San Salvador, Bahamas, Gerace Research Centre, p. 179-187.
Herbert, R., Ranchou-Peyruse, A., Duran., R. Guyoneaud, R., and Schwabe, S. J., 2005, Characterization of purple sulfur bacteria from the South Andros black hole cave system: highlights taxonomic problems for ecological studies among the genera Allochromatium and Thiocapsa: Environmental Microbiology, v 7(8), p. 1260-1268.
Schwabe, S. J. ,and Herbert, R., 2004, Black holes of the Bahamas: What they are and why they are black: Quaternary International, v. 121, p. 3-11.
Schwabe, S. J., 2002, Biogeochemical processes that influence cave development within Bahamian Carbonate Platforms, in Martin, J. B., Wicks, C, and Sasowsky, I. D., eds., Proceedings of the 7th Symposium Karst Frontiers: Florida and Related Environments (2002), Gainesville, Florida, Karst Waters Institute, p. 103-106.
Callaghan, R. T., and Schwabe, S. J., 2000, Watercraft of the islands: Bahamas Journal of Science, v. 7, p. 45-51.
Callaghan, R. T., and Schwabe, S. J., 1999, Watercraft of the islands: Proceedings of the XVIII International Congress for Caribbean Archaeology: St. George, Grenada, West Indies.
Schwabe, S. J., and Wheeler, F., 1999, Sterile and general sampling techniques for submerged cave environments, in Mylroie, J. E. and Curran, H. A., eds., Proceedings of the 9th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions (1998); San Salvador, Bahamas, Gerace Research Centre, p. 116-124.
Palmer, R. J., Hutchinson, J. M. C., Schwabe, S. J., and Whitaker, F. F., 1998, Inventory of blue holes sites explored or visited on South Andros Island, Bahamas: Caves and Karst Studies, v. 25, p. 97-102.
Carew, J. L., Mylroie, J. E., and Schwabe, S. J., 1998, The geology of South Andros Island, Bahamas: A reconnaissance: Cave and Karst Studies, v. 25, p. 57-66.
Schwabe, S. J., Parkes, J. R., and Smart, P. L., 1997, Significance of bacterial activity in carbonate diagenesis, in Carew, J. L., ed., Proceedings of the 8th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions (1996): San Salvador, Bahamas, Gerace Research Centre, p. 174-175.
Schwabe, S. J., Carew, L. J., and Mylroie, J. E., 1993, The petrology of Bahamian Pleistocene eolianites and flank margin caves: Implications for late Quaternary island development, in White, B., ed., Proceedings of the 6th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas (1990): San Salvador, Bahamas, Gerace Research Centre, p. 149-164.
Abstracts
Schwabe, S. J., and Carew, J. L., 2010, How can buffered water dissolve
CaCO3: A bacterial answer: Environmental Microbiology ; Special publication
Schwabe, S. J., and Carew, J. L., 2009, How can buffered vadose and
phreatic water dissolve CaCO3 and form caves: the bacterial answer, International Congress on Speleology, Kerrville, Texas, USA.
Schwabe, S. J., and Carew, J. L., 2008, Bacterial diseases of building stones 1933 v.
Bacterial diseases of Bahamian Limestone 2008, 14th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions, Abstracts and Program, p. 23-24.
Schwabe, S. J., Cathcart, E. M., and Carew, J. L., 2008, Elevated levels of heavy metals
detected in modern soils and flooded-cave sediments from the Bahamas, 14th
Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions, Abstracts and Program, p. 23.
Schwabe, S. J., 2008, The difficulties of sampling in underwater caves in the Bahamas:
An exercise in ingenuity and survival, 27th Annual Symposium of the American Academy of Underwater Science, Abstracts and Programs.
Schwabe, S. J., Herbert, R. A., and Carew, J. L., 2007, Bacterial Activity within the
Vadose and Phreatic Zones in Limestones: the Source of CO2-driven
Development of Secondary Porosity in Limestones, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 39, No. 2., p.69
Schwabe, S. J., 2006, A geomicrobial investigation of the potential role of bacteria in the
formation of the currently submerged limestone caves of the Bahamas: 13th
Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions, Abstracts and Program, p. 23.
Schwabe, S. J., Carew, J. L., and Herbert, R. A., 2006, Making caves in the Bahamas: different recipes, same ingredients: 13th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions, Abstracts and Program, p. 24.
Schwabe, S. J., Herbert, R. A., and Carew, J. L., 2006, A hypothesis for biogenic cave formation (A study conducted in the Bahamas): 13th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions, Abstracts and Program, p. 22-23.
Herbert, R. A., Gall, A., Cogdell, R., Robert, B., and Schwabe, S. J., 2006,
Phototrophic purple sulfur bacteria as heat engines in the South Andros black hole, the Bahamas: International Symposium on Photosynthetic Prokaryotes, Abstracts with Program, (in press)
Schwabe, S. J., and Carew, J. L., 2004, Blue holes: An inappropriate moniker for
water-filled caves in the Bahamas, 12th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and other Carbonate Regions, Abstracts with Program, p. 28.
Gall, A, Herbert, R., Takaichi, S., Maoka, T., Verbavat, J., Schwabe, S. J., Cogdell, R. J., and Robert, B., 2004, Preliminary characterization of the photosynthetic apparatus belonging to the purple photosynthetic bacteria of the South Andros black hole: The 13th International Congress of Photosynthesis, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Aug. 29 to Sept 3, 2004) p.
Herbert, R., and Schwabe, S. J., 2003, Taxonomy and physiology of purple sulfur bacteria isolated from the South Andros black hole, The Bahamas; 1st Federation of European Microbiology Societies (FEM); Congress in Ljubljana, Slovenia (June 29th – July 3rd 2003) p227.
Herbert, R., and Schwabe, S. J., 2003, Black holes of South Andros, The Bahamas: What they are and why they are black; 1st Federation of European Microbiology Societies (FEM); Congress in Ljubljana, Slovenia (June 29th – July 3rd 2003) p230.
Gall, A., Cogdell, R. J., Herbert, R., Robert, B., and Schwabe, S. J., 2003, Preliminary characterization of the light-harvesting complexes from purple sulfur bacteria isolated from the South Andros black hole heat engine: Conference abstract, Max Plank Institute, Muelheim, Germany, p.
Schwabe, S. J., 2002, Biogeochemical processes that influence cave development within Bahamian carbonate platforms, in Program with Abstracts on Karst Frontiers: Florida and Related Environments, Special Publication 7, Karst Water Institute, Inc., p. 103.
Schwabe, S. J., Parkes, J. R., and Smart, P. L., 1997, Biogeochemical investigation of submerged cave systems (blue holes) within Bahamian carbonate platform: 97th Applied and Environment Microbiology General Meeting, N101, p. 398.
Carew, J. L., Mylroie, J. E., Pace, M., and Schwabe, S. J., 1992, Development of Late Pleistocene eolianites in the Bahamas: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 24, n. 7, p. A-142.
Schwabe, S. J., Carew, J. L., and Mylroie, 1992, The petrology of Bahamian Pleistocene eolianites and flank margin caves: Implications for Late Quaternary island development: 6th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas Abstracts and Program, p. 17.
Schwabe, S. J., Carew, J. L., and Mylroie, J. E., 1992, Petrology of flank margin caves in the Bahamas, in Ogden, A. E., ed., Abstracts of the 1992 Friends of Karst Meeting, Cookville, Tennessee, Tennessee Technological University, p. 27.
Magazine Articles
Schwabe, S. J., 2009, Not a Good Day to Die, Featured in the Fall issue of Explorer Journal, NY (In press)
Schwabe, S. J., 2004, The Floor of Fire, Feature article for January issue of Diver Magazine, UK., p. 26-32.
Schwabe, S. J., 2003, The Worst Dive: November issue of Diver Magazine, UK., p.
Schwabe, S. J., 2001, Blue Holes of the Bahamas: A Silent Death, in Immersed, Summer 2001 v. 6, No. 2., p. 29-33.
Schwabe, S. J., 1999, FESS (Fin Emergency Safety Strap) Immersed (June), p. 61.
Book
Schwabe, S. J., 2009, Living in Darkness: A Women’s Scientific and Exploratory Adventures into the underwater Caves of the Bahamas: GreyHound Press; NSS-USA publishing ISBN 978-1-879961-32-6
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
Invited Speaker
2009 International Congress of Speleology (ICS) in Kerrville, Texas
2008 Hubs Sea World (The Underwater Mountains and Canyons of the Bahamas: Whats living down there?
2008 Smith College, Speakers Series, (‘Living in Darkness: A scientific Adventure into the Bahamian Underground).
2008 San Diego Geological Society, Speakers Series, (‘Clear Water Secrets: A microscopic Discovery in the Cave Formation Story’).
2008 Scripps Oceanographic Institute, Speakers Series, (Bacterial Explanation for the Development of Secondary Porosity in Limestone).
2007 Explorers Club, NY., (Sea Stories series that covers accomplishments and contributions to our knowledge of our oceans through research).
2007 University of San Diego, CA, Biology Departmental Guest speaker series, (‘A Biogenic Approach to the Formation of Secondary Porosity’).
2005 Parents Week at the College of Charleston, Charleston, SC., (‘Scientific Discovery in Blue Holes’).
2005 West Virginia Cave Conservation Association, WV., (‘What are Blue Holes and Black Holes?’).
2004 London Dive Show, UK., (‘The Floor of Fire; the Black Hole Discovery’)
2003 Oztek, Sydney Australia, (‘The Science of Blue Holes and Black Holes’); College of Charleston Distinguished Speakers Circuit, The School of Sciences and Mathematics, (‘Blue Holes of the Bahamas’).
2000 University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, Biology Lecture Series, (Microbial Discovery in the Black Hole of South Andros); University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, Geology Lecture Series, (The Geology of Blue Holes and Black Holes of the Bahamas).
1998 Rand Nature Centre, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas, (Management of Cave Openings in the Bahamas)
1997 Birmingham Dive Show Lecture Series, (The Death of Robert John Palmer and Rob Parker)
TV Documentaries and Interviews
2009 NHK Japan Educational TV, “The Carbonate Story.”
2008 BBC production of an eight part series called, “Oceans.” Production for BBC UK and Discovery. Return to the Black Hole of South Andros, Bahamas.
2004 Russian Television, Ruski Extreme, Blue Holes Adventure with Stephanie Schwabe.
2004 Comcast for Comcast and CNN News, Interview with Explorer, Stephanie Schwabe.
2000 Beyond Production, Vampires Blood, Exploration of the Black Hole of South Andros.
1999 Nord Deutsch Rundfunk (NDR), Germany and French Television, The Mysterious Caves of the Bahamas, (Documenting researcher and explorer, Stephanie Schwabe.
1997 Fulcrum Production, BBC, UK, Amazing Earth VSH#723197, Stephanie Schwabe explains evidence found within caves on Grand Bahama that support a sea level drop in the past.
About: Stephanie Jutta Schwabe Founder and Director of the
Rob Palmer Blue Holes Foundation
EDUCATION
J.D. (with focus on international environmental law) University of Queensland, Australia. (2003)
Ph.D. (Earth Science) University of Bristol, United Kingdom: Biogeochemical Investigation of Caves within Bahamian Carbonate Platforms. (1999)
MSc. (Geology) Mississippi State University: Petrology of Bahamian Pleistocene Eolianites and Flank Margin Caves: Implications for late Quaternary Island Development. (1992)
B.A. (Geology) College of Charleston, SC (1990)
