BRIAN WYSOR
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Department of Biology
PO Box 42451
Lafayette, LA 70504-2451
Ph: 337-482-5057
Fax: 337-482-5660
E-mail: bwysor@bigelow.org
Brian's Home Page | UL-Lafayette Seaweeds Home Page
CURRICULUM VITAE
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- RESEARCH INTERESTS
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- biogeography and dispersal of marine algae, biology and
ecology of introduced and invasive species, marine biology
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- EDUCATION
- The University of
Louisiana at Lafayette, Department
of Biology, Jan. 1998-present
- Ph.D. Candidate & Louisiana Board of Regents Pre-Doctoral
Fellow
- Academic Honors, 3/98-
- 4.00 GPA
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- Bachelor of Science. Marine Biology, Summa Cum Laude,
May 1996
- Long Island University, Southampton
College, Southampton, NY
- Dean's List 9/92-5/96 3.90 GPA overall; 4.00 GPA in major
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- FELLOWSHIPS
- Fulbright Fellowship to study Marine Algae of the Republic of Panama, 1/99-11/99.
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette Board of Regents
Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, 8/98-10/01
- Phycological Society of America, Hannah Croasdale Fellowship,
4/98
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History,
Research Training Program; 5/96-8/96
- Woods Hole Summer Student Fellowship, 6/95-8/95
- University of Maryland Sea Grant College, Research Experience
for Undergraduates; 5/94-8/94
- Rotary Exchange Student to Denmark; 7/91-6/92
- Student Convservation Association High School Volunteer,
7/90
- Southampton College Study Grant, 9/92-5/96
- Southampton College Academic Excellence Award, 9/92-5/96
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GRANTS
- Mia J. Tegner Memorial Research Grant in Marine Environmental
History and Historical Ecology from the Marine
Conservation Biology Institute, 10/01
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Student Government
Association Travel Award, 9/01
- Phycological Society
of America Grant
in Aid, 4/01
- Sigma
Xi Grant in Aid, 5/01
- UL-Lafayette Graduate Student Organization Research Supplies
Grant; 6/01, 1/01, 9/00, 6/00, 1/00, 9/99, 1/99, 9/98, 1/98
- UL-Lafayette Graduate Student Organization Travel Grant;
1/01, 6/00
- Southampton College Natural Science Division Travel Grant;
4/96, 4/95
- Southampton College Natural Science Division Sponsorship
of independent study in Photomicrography; 1/96-5/96
- Northeast Algal Society Travel Award; 4/95, 4/94
- University of Maryland Sea Grant College Travel Grant;
4/95
- Southampton College Honors Society Travel Grant; 10/93
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HONORS & AWARDS
- Best Paper, UL-Lafayette Graduate Student Symposium,
3/01
- Academic Honors, 3/98-3/01
- Fulbright Fellowship Finalist, 1/96
- Outstanding Achievement in Scientific Research as an
UndergraduateAward, 5/96
- Honorable Mention for Excellence in Photography Through
the Microscope, Nikon International Small World Contest (6/96)
- Southampton College Honors Program, 9/92-5/96
- Southampton College Faculty Honors, 9/92-5/96
- Northeast Algal Society Book Award, 4/96
- Provost Citizenship Award, 4/96, 4/94
- Outstanding Service to the Campus Community, 5/94
- Natural Science Division Honor for a Freshman in Recognition
of Outstanding Achievement, 4/93
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CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
- I have collected over 1500 specimens of marine macroalgae, documenting
452 taxa representing an increase in known algal diversity of over 100%
for both coasts of the Republic of Panama. This survey provides baseline
data for elucidation of biogeographic patterns among marine algae as well
as for monitoring the future impacts of shipping traffic through the Panama
Canal.
- New species description of marine macroalgae from
Panama
- I will be employing traditional morphological methods as well as DNA
sequencing to test species concepts among macroalgae which are not well
characterized by current taxonomic descriptions.
- Biogeography of amphi-isthmian macroalgae
- I am trying to understand the current distribution of algal species
which are common to both coasts of Panama. I am testing the null hypothesis
of historical separation following the final closure of the Central American
Seaway, against the alternative of recent introduction (perhaps mediated
by traffic through the Panama Canal). I am employing DNA sequencing in
an attempt to define phylogeographic patterns among amphi-isthmian macroalgae.
- I am collaborating on current projects to develop taxonomic, morphological
and genetic information databases essential to informed management of the
Marine Sanctuaries within the Gulf of Mexico. This data provides a framework
of seasonal algal composition against which biogeographic and phylogenetic
relatinships can be assessed. It also provides baseline data that is useful
for assessing the success of marine sanctuaries at preserving biodiversity.
These projects have focused on repeat trips to the Texas
Flower Gardens and an excursion to the Florida Middle Ground as part
of the National Geographic Society documented Sustainable
Seas Expeditions.
PUBLICATIONS
- Wysor, B. and B. Gavio. 2000. The Importance of Seaweeds
in the Gulf of Mexico, pp. 39-41 In National Marine Sanctuary Program
Special Report: Sustainable Seas Expedition to Explore the WEst Florida
Shelf, August 7-31.
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- Wysor, B., W. H. C. F. Kooistra, S. Fredericq. 2000.
Marine macroalgal diversity of the Republic of Panama. J. Phycol.,
36 (Suppl.): 72.
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- Fredericq, S., N. Phillips, B. Gavio, C. F. Gurgel, S.
M. Lin, B. Wysor and J. Lopez-Bautista. 2000. Characterization of the offshore
marine macro-algae from the northwestern Gulf of Mexico hard bank communities.
J. Phycol., 36 (Suppl.): 23.
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- Buskey, E. J., B. Wysor and C. Hyatt. 1998. The role
of hypersalinity in the persistence of the Texas "Brown Tide"
Bloom. J. Plank. Res. 20:1553-1565. (Abstract)
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- Wysor, B. and M. R. Roman. 1995. Ingestion rates of an
estuarine copepod, Acartia tonsa, in laboratory mesocosms. Proceedings
of the National Conference for Undergraduate Research, Schenectady,
NY, April 20-22, 1995.
CONTRIBUTED PAPERS & EXHIBITIONS
Wysor, B., W. Kooistra & S. Fredericq. Biogeography
of Phyllodictyon anastomosans with emphasis on the relationship between
specimens separated by the Isthmus of Panama. Oral presentation at the 23rd
Annual Southeastern Phycological Colloquy, Wilmington, NC, 13 October 2001.
Fredericq, S., B. Gavio, F. Gurgel, S. Lin, J. Lopez-Bautista,
N. Phillips, F. Rita, B. Wysor, R. Chapman & D. Waters. The deepwater
marine macroalgal flora off Louisiana. Poster presentation at the 23rd Annual
Southeastern Phycological Colloquy, Wilmington, NC, 13 October 2001.
Phillips, N., S. Fredericq, F. Gurgel, B. Gavio, B. Wysor,
S. Lin, J. M. Lopez-Bautista & E. Hickerson. Documentation of macroalgal
diversity and algal community structure in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico
hard banks communities. Poster presentation at the 7th International Phycological
Congress, Thessaloniki, Greece, 18-25 August 2001.
Wysor, B. Historic separations or recent introductions:
intraspecific phylogeny of Phyllodictyon anastomosans, with emphasis
on amphi-isthmian populations from Central America. Oral presentation at
the 2nd International Marine Bioinvasions Conference, New Orleans, LA, 9-11
April 2001.
Wysor, B. Intraspecific phylogeny of Phyllodictyon anastomosans.
UL-Lafayette Graduate Student Symposium, 16 March 2001.
Wysor, B. W. H. C. F. Kooistra and S. Fredericq. 2000.
Marine macroalgal diversity of the Republic
of Panama. Poster presentation at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Phycological
Society of America meeting, San Diego, CA, 15-19 July 2000
Fredericq, S., N. Phillips, B. Gavio, C. F. Gurgel, S.
M. Lin, B. Wysor and J. Lopez-Bautista. Characterization of the offshore
marine macroalgae from the northwestern Gulf of Mexico hard bank communities.
Poster presentation at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Phycological Society
of America meeting, San Diego, CA, 15-19 July 2000.
Fredericq, S. N. Phillips, B. Gavio, C. F. Gurgel, S. M.
Lin and B. Wysor. Poster presentation at the Gulf of Mexico Symposium, Mobile,
AL, 9-12 April 2000.
Wysor, B. Microspace: Science and Hidden Art. Contributions
to micrographyh exhibit at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, LA,
February 1999; the Iberia Parish Community Library, New Iberia, LA, January
2000.
Buskey, E. J., Liu, H. J., Villareal, T. A., Wysor, B.,
Collumb, C. El Nino and the Laguna Madre: Don't you make my brown tides
blue? Oral presentation at the American Society for Limnology and Oceanography
Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Santa Fe, NM, February 1-5, 1999. (Abstract)
Buskey, E. J. and B. Wysor. The role of hypersalinity in the persistence
of the Texas "Brown Tide" Bloom. Oral presentation at the 14th
Biennial Estuarine Research Federation International Conference on the State
of Our Estuaries, Kingston, RI, October 13-17, 1997.
Wysor, B. Photography through the Microscope: a photomicrographic
survey of the spring time phytoplankton assemblage in Southampton waters.
Exhibition in the Natural Science Division of Southampton College, 5/96-
Wysor, B. and M. R. Roman. Ingestion
rates of an estuarine copepod, Acartia tonsa, in laboratory mesocosms.
Poster presentation at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research,
Schenectady, NY, April 20-22, 1995. (Abstract)
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RECENT SEMINARS
- The Marine Flora of the Republic of Panama: Diversity, Biogeography
and Conservation. UL-Lafayette, Department of Biology, 10/01
- Biogeography of the amphi-isthmian marine flora of the Republic of
Panama. Florida International University, 6/01
- The marine flora of the Republic of Panama, University of Louisiana
at Lafayette, Department of Biology, 4/01
- Marine macroalgal diversity of the Republic of Panama, Evolutionary
Biology Group, UL Lafayette 3/00; Marine Botany Guest Lecture 4/00
- Dasycladalean green algae and Acetabularia as a model organism
for studying cell biology. Marine Botany Guest Lecture, 4/00
- Geminate Marine Algae of Panama, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute,
6/99
- Detecting Marine Algal Invasions in the Vicinity of the Panama Canal,
UL-Lafayette, Department of Biology, 1/99
COMMUNITY SERVICE
- Department of Biology Representative to the Graduate Student Organization,
UL-Lafayette, 08/01-present
- Judge, Louisiana Region VI Science and Engineering Fair, Lafayette,
LA, 3/01, 3/98
- Say it with Seaweed Funshop. The Iberia Parish Library Summer
Workshop program for youths. 25 July 2000.
- Discussion on career opportunities in the marine sciences, Norwich
High School Biology classes, Norwich, NY, 12/99
- Interview committee to select Panamanian University nominated professors
for faculty development program in which selected individuals would pursue
graduate studies in the United States, 9/99
- Interview committee to select 2 high school student delegates from
the Republic of Panama to participate in National Youth Science Camp held
in West Virginia, USA, 4/99
SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
- Phycological Society of America, 1/98-
- Society for Conservation Biology, 1/99-00
- Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society; 6/95-
- Beta Beta Beta, Biological Honors Society; 5/95-
- Northeast Algal Society, 5/94-
FIELD EXPEDITIONS
- SCUBA diving expeditions to the Texas Flower Garden Banks, sponsored
by the Texas Flower Garden Marine Sanctuary, to study macroalgal diversity,
2000-2001
- 8-day Sustainable Seas
Expedition aboard R/V Gordon Gunter (NOAA) off the west Florida Shelf
to study macroalgal
diversity of the Florida Middle Ground and deep water community structure,
7/8-14/8/2000.
- SCUBA diving expedition aboard the MV-SPREE to the Texas Flower Garden
Banks, sponsored by the Flower Garden Marine Sanctuary, to study macroalgal
diversity, 27/2 - 1/3/2000.
- SCUBA diving expedition aboard the MV-SPREE to the Texas Flower Garden
Banks, sponsored by the Flower Garden Marine Sanctuary, to study macroalgal
diversity, 14/2-17/2/2000.
- 7-day research expedition to Bocas del Toro, Republic of Panama to
study marine macroalgal diversity of coastal habitats from small boats,
10/99
- 14-day research cruise aboard R/V Urraca (Smithsonian Institution)
off Pacific coast of Panama to study marine macroalgal diversity and coral
population dynamics at monitoring sites off the Pacific coast of Panama,
5/99.
- 2-day research cruise aboard R/V Longhorn (University of Texas at Austin)
in Laguna Madre, TX to study effects of copepod grazing on brown tide persistence,
9/98.
- 50 day oceanographic research cruise aboard
R/V Knorr (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) to study greenhouse gases
in the Indian Ocean as part of the World Oceans Circulation Experiement
and World Hydrography Program (WOCE/WHP), 12/94-1/95.
- 10-day oceanographic research cruise aboard Columbus Isilin (University
of Miami, RSMAS) to study the role of the continental shelf off North Carolina,
USA as a CO2 sink, 3/94.
- WORK EXPERIENCE
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- Research Scientist Assistant. University
of Texas Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, Texas. 10/1/96-12/12/97.
- Laboratory technician in behavioral ecology laboratory of Dr. Edward
J. Buskey
- Conducted experiments investigating behavioral responses of heterotrophic
dinoflagellates to various chemical stimuli
- Performed growth experiments of the local and persistent bloom of the
"brown tide" under various conditions of light, salinity and
temperature to determine optimal growth conditions and to elucidate the
reasons for its persistence
- Collaborated on protocol development and in field collections for ongoing
environmental assessment studies
- Responsible for maintenance of laboratory cultures for experimental
work
- Maintained laboratory records and responsible for general laboratory
maintenance
Research Assistant. Brookhaven National Laboratory. Upton, NY. Oct. 1994-Jan. 1995.
- Measured carbonate system parameters of oceanic samples on a 50 day oceanographic research cruise as part of a global
CO2 survey and WOCE (World Ocean Circulation Experiment) under the direction
of Dr. Douglas W.R. Wallace and Dr. Ken Johnson
- Responsible for setting up and troubleshooting Single Operator Multiparameter
Metabolic Analyzer (SOMMA) aboard research vessel and in laboratory setting
- Responsible for data acquisition on SOMMA including component calibration
and sample analyses
- Responsible for sample collection and analysis, and troubleshooting
automated titration systems for Total Alkalinity (TA) measurements
- Laboratory maintenance: cleaning, experimental preparation and disassembly
- Completed comparative study of calculated values of pCO2 (partial pressure
of CO2) vs. actually measured pCO2
- Determined that calculations of pCO2 based on thermodynamics of carbonate
system is possible
- Submitted paper based on study to Southampton College for life experience
credits and waiver of a core requirement, Marine Operations and Research
(Abstract)
Laboratory Technician. Horn
Point Environmental Laboratory, University of Maryland, Cambridge, MD. Sept.1994.
- Prepared zooplankton samples for and analyzed samples on Optical Plankton
Counter to determine organismal density for mesocosm experiment
- Classified zooplankton samples based on sex and age using computerized
image analysis system
- Performed preliminary data analysis
Technical Collaborator. Brookhaven
National Laboratory. Upton, NY. 1994.
- Performed basic maintenance for ocean-going research: sanding, cleaning,
moving, construction of parts for equipment cases for transportation, minor
electrical repairs
- Participated on research cruise dedicated to study of the continental
shelf region as a potential CO2 sink
- Collected and prepared samples for growth rate experiments of marine
microbes
Marine Science Center Laboratory Assistant. Southampton College Marine Science Center. Southampton, NY. 1993-1995.
- Responsible for maintaining upkeep of aquaria and species in aquaculture
laboratory, including experimental preparation for student/faculty research
- Crew member for field collections aboard research vessels and responsible
basic maintenance on research vessel
- Collected experimental organisms for student/faculty research
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- Teaching Assistant. University
of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette, LA. 1/98-5/98.
- Taught introductory biology laboratory course to non-biology majors
- Responsible for lesson planning, grading, teaching
Laboratory Assistant. Southampton
College. Southampton, NY. Spring 1996.
- Collected plankton samples from local waters for 'biology of plankton'
class taught by Dr. Larry Liddle
- Assisted professor in laboratory demonstrations and assisted students
with independent research projects
- Tutored students in taxonomy, evolution and ecology of plankton
Laboratory Assistant. Southampton
College. Southampton, NY. Fall 1995.
- Collected algal specimens for 'marine phycology' class taught by Dr.
Larry Liddle
- Assisted professor in laboratory demonstrations and assisted students
with independent research projects
- Updated and maintained algal herbarium collections
- Presented talk entitled Merotomy and Grafting Experiments using Acetabularia
SPONSORED RESEARCH
Research
Training Program Fellow. Smithsonian
Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., Summer
1996.
- Collaborated on taxonomic study, with Dr. James N. Norris, of widely
distributed red algal genus, Laurencia, designed to clarify taxonomy
of a Caribbean species suspected to be incorrectly identified
- Established character set based on exhaustive literature search used
as a foundation for comparative morphological study of type locality (England)
and Caribbean specimens of "L. obtusa"
- Micropreparations and photomicrography employed to document morphology,
vegetative anatomy and reproductive structures of male, female and tetrasporic
thalli
- Discovered several subtle differences between algae from each location
suggesting that differences are due to fundamental differences in the development
or to ecotypic differentiation
- Presented results of research to Smithsonian scientists and staff in
formal lecture (Abstract)
Summer Student Fellow. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Woods Hole, MA. Summer 1995.
- Collaborated on growth study of toxic, marine dinoflagellate, Alexandrium
tamarense, under the supervision of Dr. Donald M. Anderson and Dr.
Raffael Jovine
- Established and maintained experimental cultures under various light
and nutrient conditions
- Determined that A. tamarense was extremely tolerant to high
light intensity and extremely vulnerable to extreme low light conditions
- Determined that initial nutrient concentration did not limit cell growth
- Investigated effects of light and nutrients as a cumulative effect
on the photosynthetic machinery to define physiological signature reflective
of recent environmental conditions
- Used immunological techniques to assess light harvesting complexes
of cell
- Presented results of research to WHOI scientists as part of summer
lecture program (Abstract)
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Fellow. Horn Point Environmental Laboratory, University of Maryland, Cambridge,
MD. Summer 1994.
- Collaborated on interdisciplinary
research designed to identify scale-dependent variability of ecological
parameters in relation to ecosystem health under the guidance of Dr. Michael
Roman
- Used fluorometric techniques to determine ingestion rates of the estuarine
and calanoid copepod, Acartia tonsa, and subsequently assessed trophic
dynamics of a marine food web in mesocosm
- Presented results of research to HPEL scientists and staff in formal
lecture
- Presented poster at National Conference for Undergraduate Research
(NCUR) and published paper in conference proceedings (Abstract)
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Taxonomic delimitation of
three morphological variants of Desmarestia
in the eastern North Pacific. Friday Harbor Laborotories, University of Washington, Summer 1998.
(Abstract)
- Investigated three mophological variants of the morphologically plastic
genus, Desmarestia, in conjunction with Friday Harbor Laboratories
Class: Molecular
Population Ecology and Biology
- Compared sequences of Internal Transcribed Spacer region-2 (ITS-2)
of ribosomal DNA to test species vs. variety level concept of taxonomic
classification
- Sequence data nested well with current molecular phylogenies of Desmarestia
Fulbright Fellowship Proposal. January 1998. Tracing Algal Invasions
Across the Panama Canal.
- Proposed research to investigate biogeography of marine algal communities
on both sides of Panama Canal
- Research to be conducted at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute,
Panama
- Molecular studies of the ITS regions of rDNA will be used to delineate
species and develop biogeographical relationships for testing invasions
hypotheses
A photomicrographic survey
of the spring phytoplankton assemblage in Southampton Town waters. Spring 1996. (Abstract)
- Collected samples from local waters for microscopic identification
and photomicrography
- Used light, phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy
- Consolidated photographic collection into informal publication using
Photoshop software and slide scanner (images)
- Awarded Honorable Mention for Excellence in Photography Through the
Microscope, Nikon International Small World Contest (6/96)
Fulbright Fellowship Proposal. January 1996. Ecotypic Differentiation in populations of Laminaria
saccharina in Danish waters.
- Proposed working with Dr. Poul Møller Pedersen at the Botanical
Institute, Phycology Dept. of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Proposed study entailed determination of ecotypic variation in populations
of brown algae throughout the Baltic Sea salinity gradient
- Investigations of growth of both sporophyte and gametophyte generation
in common garden type experiments to identify genetic adaptation to different
environments
- Molecular studies which characterize carbohydrate, protein and/or DNA
molecules to further support identification of genetic variation between
populations
An ecological survey of the
Oyster Pond Reef Laminaria saccharina kelp bed, Orient Point, NY. Southampton College, Fall 1995. (Abstract)
- Oyster Pond Reef (Orient Point, NY) Laminaria bed surveyed using
SCUBA
- L. saccharina thalli sampled and analyzed for epiphytic algae
and animals
- Determined that kelp bed was likely substrate limited and speculated
that epiphytism was a response to this imitation
- Apparent temporal variation in epiphytic production and L. saccharina
production suggests that a baseline productivity level is maintained
annually
Grafting and merotomy experiments
using Acetabularia. Southampton College,
Spring, 1995. (Abstract)
- Maintained cultures of Acetabularia
- Successively performed intra- and interspecific grafts of Acetabularia
crenulata and A. acetabulum
- Assessed morphogenetic capacity and nucleocytoplasmic interaction based
on the success in post graft development
- Presented talk on developmental biology of Acetabularia to marine
phycology class at Southampton College
Diel periodicity of photosynthesis
in a marine diatom, Thalassiosira weissflogii. Southampton
College, Spring 1994. (Abstract)
- Oxygen production was measured as a function of photosynthetic activity
in T. weissflogii
- T. weissflogii culture was exposed to variable light:dark regimes
to test for circadian periodicity
- Rhythmic patterns of photosynthesis were observed but could not be
confirmed to be circadian
Effect of salinity on growth
in young Laminaria saccharina sporophytes. Southampton
College, Fall 1993. (Abstract)
- Young L. saccharina sporophytes were collected from the field
and monitored for growth in laboratory aquaria
- Sporophytes were placed in either ambient salinity, or hyper- or hyposaline
media
- Growth measurements were made routinely to assess salinity-related
stress on selected organisms using hole punch method
- L. saccharina determined to be euryhaline, confirming previous
research
CERTIFICATES
- PADI Open Water Diver, 8/93
- NAUI Advanced Open Water Diver, 3/99
- American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) diving certification,
3/99
- NAUI Nitrox diver, 9/00
- American Heart Association, CPR, 2/00
- Divers Alert Network, Oxygen Provider certification, 3/99
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