Curriculum Vita:
Carl P. Spirito, Ph.D.
PERSONAL:
Born; Hartford,
Connecticut, USA ( April 7, 1941); Graduated, Farmington High School (1959);
married - Dorinne Boisseau (1964); children - Philip (1965), Rebecca (1968),
Paul (1970)
EDUCATION:
B.S. Central Connecticut State College, New Britain (1965); Majors in
Biology and Math
Ph.D. University of Connecticut, Storrs (1969); Bioengineering/Comparative
Neurophysiology
Post-Doctoral Training; Institute for Quantitative Biology, Univ. of Miami,
Coral Gables, Florida (1969-70); Neural Control of Posture and Locomotion
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY:
University of Virginia, Charlottesville; 1970-76; Assistant Professor
of Biology
Ohio University, Athens; 1976-79; Associate Professor of Zoology and Biomedical
Sciences
University of New England, Biddeford; 1979- Associate Professor of Physiology;
1979- 2007 (Tenured 1986)
Chairperson, Dept. of Physiology; 1983-1988
Director, MS - Nurse Anesthesia Program; 1988-1993
Director, School of Nurse Anesthesia; 1993-2000
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Undergraduate College Level; (11 years) courses in Biology, Neurophysiology,
and Animal Behavior. Curriculum Design and Implementation.
Medical School Level; (20 years) several courses and team-teaching in
Physiology, Student Advising, and Organ System Course Direction.
Graduate School Level; (23 years) courses in Human, Comparative and Invertebrate
Physiology, Animal Behavior, Research Methods, Biology Seminars,
Advising and Supervision:
Several MS and PhD Graduate Student Research. Spent 3 years as Graduate
Department Chairperson (Ohio University).
(additional details available on request)
ADMINISTRATIVE/SERVICE EXPERIENCE:
Graduate Chairperson, Dept. of Zoology; 1977-79
Interim Associate Dean for Basic Sciences, 1983-84
Chairperson, Dept. of Physiology; 1983-88
Program Director, Master of Science - Nurse Anesthesia; 1988-93
Director, School of Nurse Anesthesia; 1993-2000
Faculty Representative to University Board of Trustees; 1979-85
College of Medicine Research Committee, Chairperson; 1981-83
University Computer Resource Committee, Chairperson; 1983-89
Faculty Senate Academic Computing Committee, 1991- Chairperson; 1999-
University Faculty Promotion and Tenure Committee, Chairperson, 1992-94
University Information Technology Policy Committee, 1994-
University Strategic Planning Committee; 1996-98
College of Health Professions, Dean Search Committee, Chairperson, 1998-99
University Feasibility Study Committee for College of Pharmacy, Chairperson,
1998-99
Other University and College Committees; Bylaws, Tenure Policy, Curriculum,
Budget and Finance, Student Advising, Graduate Studies, Etc.
HONORS AND AWARDS:
Sigma Xi President's and Visitors' Research Prize in Science and Mathematics;
1972, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. Awarded for my
research work in comparative invertebrate locomotion.
CPCS College Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service to UNE and its
Students; May, 1994; University of New England, Biddeford, Maine. Awarded
in recogniton of 14 years of Teaching, Administration, and Service to
the University and its students.
SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY:
My scholarly activity has been in two related areas, both based on my
graduate and postgraduate training in Comparative Physiology, Computer
Science, and Bioengineering (the application of engineering principles
to biological research problems). The Physiological and Behavioral study
of the neural control of locomotion and and other coordinated movement
in animals has always been the dominant theme, supplemented by computer
simulations, used as modeling tools. Recently, I have been exploring the
field of Robotics, particularly walking autonomous robotis, as a modeling
tool to enhance my study of locomotion.
Both of these activities continue to share my interest, and I recently
completed a sabbatical leave at the University of Genova, Italy, in the
Laboratory of Informatics and Advanced Robotics (LIRA). There, I learned
a great deal about Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and collaborated
on the design and study of robots with Professor Giulio Sandini and his
group. My role was to provide a "biological" perspective for a team of
computer scientists and engineers, focused primarily on visual tracking,
and visually guided movements of robotic limbs.
Throughout my career, I have also pursued an interest in the development
of specialized commercial computer/video technology for use in biological
and medical research applications. This work has resulted in the marketing
of two commercial systems. Below are listed some of my accomplishments
in these areas.
A. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AND ACTIVITY:
Areas of Interest:
Neural Control of Invertebrate Posture and Movement.
Comparative Biomechanics and Neuroethology of Locomotion.
Robotics and Simulation.
Sponsorships and Funding:
NIH predoctoral traineeship 1965-69
NIH postdoctoral traineeship 1969-70
NIMH Research Grants 1973-75, 1975-76
NSF Research Grant 1977-79
Thesis/Dissertation Major Advisor for 3 M.S. students and 1 Ph.D. student.
Associate Research Advisor for several other graduate students
Society Membership:
American Society of Zoologists
Society for Neuroscience
International Society for Neuroethology
B. COMPUTER SCIENCE EXPERIENCE AND ACTIVITY:
Formal Training
Graduate level courses in electrical and mechanical engineering, systems
theory, biomedical instrumentation, math, and computer programming. My
Ph.D. dissertation included the design of an analog electronic simulation
of the crustacean limb nerve-muscle system.
Related Skills and Experience:
FORTRAN programming on IBM 360/370 systems
CSMP (Continuous Systems Modeling Program), for simulation studies
VISUAL BASIC and assembly language programming, on micro-computers
"C" and Pascal Language programming in graphics and image analysis
Major Projects:
Private Consulting (1981- ): Projects for both Scientific (Bigelow Laboratory,
The Smithsonian Institution, several Universities, the New England Aquarium)
and Industrial (GTE-Sylvania, Sprague Electric, Costar-Nucleopore) clients
on the use of video/computer image analysis in research and quality control.
Scientific Image Analysis Systems (1983-): designed and developed two
distinct computerized video image analysis systems for use in biological,
industrial, and medical research. I wrote the software (Copyrighted) and
helped to design and integrate custom hardware.
University Computer Resource Committee (1984-88): As chairperson of this
committee, I directed a complete review and analysis of computer needs
on campus. A plan was developed,several bids were processed, and a Data
General computer system was purchased, which is still in operation after
several upgrades. This system operates all aspects of financial and student
record-keeping for the University.
C. PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS:
Spirito, C.P. (1969) Neural Control of the Opener and Stretcher Muscles
of the Fiddler Crab, Uca pugnax. Zeit. fur Vergl. Physiol. 68:211-228
Spirito, C.P., W.H. Evoy, and W.J.P. Barnes (1972) Nervous Control of
Walking in the Crab I. Resistance Reflexes. Zeit. fur Vergl. Physiol.
76:1-15
Barnes, W.J.P., C.P. Spirito, and W.H. Evoy (1972) Nervous Control of
walking in the Crab. II. Reflexes in Walking. Zeit. fur Vergl. Physiol.
76:16-31
Spirito, C.P., W.H. Evoy, and C.R. Fourtner (1973) Considerations of Proprioception
and Neuromuscular Integration in Crustacean Locomotion. American Zoologist
13:427-434
White, A.Q. and C.P. Spirito (1973) Anatomy and Physiology of the Swimming
Leg Musculature of the Blue Crab, Callinectes sappidus. Marine Behavior
and Physiology 2:141-153
Spirito, C.P. (1975) The Organization of the Crayfish Oesophogeal Nervous
System. J. Comp. Physiol. 102:237-249
Spirito, C.P. and D.L. Mushrush (1979) Interlimb Coordination During Slow
Walking in the Cockroach. I. Effects of Substrate Alterations. J. Exper.
Biol. 78:233-243
Greene, S.I. and C.P. Spirito (1979) Interlimb Coordination During Slow
Walking in the Cockroach. II. Effects of CNS Lesions. J. Exper. Biol.
78:245-253
Earnhardt, J.T., R. Bessete, and C.P. Spirito (1985) Postural and Neurochemical
Correlates: Serotonin J. Amer. Osteopathic Assn. 85:108-109
Koester, D. and C.P. Spirito (2003) Punting: An Unusual Mode of Locomotion
in the Little Skate. Copeia 2003(3): 553-561
Spirito, C.P., Comparative
Biomechanics of the Walking Legs in Crabs. (in Manuscript)
D. INVENTIONS AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Spirito, C.P. (1983-86) The IDEAS Commercial Image Processing System.
A complete, commercial, Personal Computer Graphics/Video system marketed
and sold by Fredrick Haer Instrument Co. I wrote and Copyrighted all Software,
and co-designed special hardware. The system was demonstrated and sold
at the Society for Neuroscience Convention (1983-86). Overall, 20 systems
were sold (at $12,000 ea.) to Universities and Research Centers such as
Harvard University, the University of Chicago, University of Connecticut,
etc.
Spirito, C.P. (1989-93) dVS - A digital Video System. An original commercial
system for combining Video and Computer Gaphics on a Personal Computer.
I designed the integrated hardware system and wrote Copyrighted Software.
The system is used to make rapid accurate measurements from microscopic
or other video images.It was marketed and sold by Precision Graphics Systems,
my own consulting company. Systems were sold for Research (e.g. Bigelow
Laboratory, Smithsonian Institution, Univ. Massachusettes, U.S. Forestry
Service, James Madison Univ.) and Industrial use (Sprague Electric, GTE,
Costar-Nucleopore).
E. SABBATICALS, SYMPOSIA, AND OTHER SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES:
Sabbatical Leave: University of Georgia (1986) The development of a Computerized
Patient Simulator for use in medical education. I collaborated on research,
development and testing of this software, called "PROF", which was a text-based
patient simulator for use in testing medical students. My sponsor was
Dr. A. Abdulla; University of Georgia Medical Center, Augusta.
Sabbatical Leave: University of Genova, Italy (1997) The design and study
of autonomous robots with Professor Giulio Sandini and his group in the
Laboratory of Integrated and Advanced Robotics (LIRA Lab). I provide a
"biological" perspective for a team of computer scientists and engineers,
studying the motor-control of robotic limbs, and robot vision.
"Invertebrate Neuromuscular Systems", (1972). American Society of Zoologists
International Symposium, State College, PA. (invited participant)
"Age Related Changes in Avian Neuromuscular Interactions", (1977-79).
Co-investigator on NSF Research Grant with Dr. Robert Hikida, Ohio University.
Summer Osteopathic Research Conference, (1979-83). Developer and coordinator
of annual Conference of Scientists and Physicians interested in research
and theory related to Osteopathic Manipulation, Diagnosis, and Therapy.
"Symposium on Computer Applications in Medicine", (1986). invited participant
for symposium sessions on Computer Imaging applications in Medicine.
Electronic Imaging International Conference, (1986-present). Participate
in Discussion Groups on computer/video imaging in science and medicine.
"The Blue Crab", (1988). An educational videotape produced by Dr. Taylor
Schoettle, University of Georgia, for use biology and ecology courses.
I was invited to serve as locomotion and behavior advisor, and supplied
my own extensive film footage for use in the videotape.
National Science Foundation Grant Reviews (1979-91) I serve as an outside
reviewer for 2-5 major proposals annually, in the areas of locomotion,
robotics, and comparative neurophysiology.
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
School Board Member, Saco, Maine, USA (1981-82)
Finance Committee, Arts Reachout Team in Saco (ARTS) (1983-85)
Member, Saco Drug and Alcohol Abuse Task Force (1988)
Thornton Academy, Private Secondary School, Saco, Maine, USA Board of
Trustees, (1986-92)
Chair, Long-Range Planning Committee, (1987-92)
Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco-Biddeford, Maine (Member 1987- )
Board of Trustees, (1989-93, 2002- 2006)
Long Range Planning Committee, (1995-96)
AVOCATION:
Railroad History, Restoration, and Scale Model Building:
Charter Member, Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum, Portland, Maine,
1992-94
Member, Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railroad Museum, Alna, Maine,
1994-
Fine-scale Modelbuilder; accurate fine-scale models of historically significant
Narrow Gauge Railroads, Architecture, and Vehicles.
Sculptor of human figures and other items to exact scale. Some of these
pieces are used by manufacturers as master patterns for commercial castings.
A Sample of Avocation-Related Publications:
Spirito, C.P. (1977) Eastern Logging - A New Frontier. Narrow Gauge
and Shortline Gazette. January, 1977: 30-31
Spirito, C.P. (1981) Observations - Fear of Shining. Railroad Model
Craftsman. July, 1981: 126-127
Spirito, C.P. (1988) Cover Photo Narrow Lines, Journal of the Narrow
Gauge Railway Society, London, England
Spirito, C.P. (1993) Modifying a 1:20 Scale Caboose Kit Outdoor Railroader.
December, 1993:
Spirito, C.P. (1994) Kitbashing a Bachmann Porter Locomotive to 1:20 Scale.
Outdoor Railroader. December, 1994: 78-80
Spirito, D.B. and C.P. (1995) Fresh Cuttings; a Southern Maine Garden
Railway. Garden Railways. May-June, 1995: 28-29
Spirito, C.P. (1999) Sculpting Scale Figures for Garden Railways. Garden
Railways. March-April, 1999: 72-78
Spirito, C.P. (2000) Introduction to 7/8" Scale Garden Railways. Garden
Railways. January-February, 2000: 72-78
Spirito, C.P. (2002) Two Crickets Grow Up, Finescale Railroader,
March, 2002: 40-42
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I have been a Professional
Scientist since 1965, and was a Physiology Professor at the University
of New England for 26 years. I teach Human Physiology to medical
and graduate health science students.