Mesa Specialists

Finding a Specialist

San Diego Mesa College's faculty and staff have a wide variety of skills and expertise ranging from local politics, ethnomusicology, and American literature to genetics, physics, and behavioral analysis.  Specialists are associated with one or more categories that are either in their field of study or general interest.

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Specialists can be found either by filtering by subject or search.  Use the filters to find all specialists in a broad subject. Use search to find specialists in more specific areas. The search takes into account not just the topics but all the additional information listed as well.  To search simply enter a phrase or keyword into the search box and the list will filter down to relevant specialist.  Click on any name to view additional details. 

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Specialist can be sorted by name, expertise/interest, or department.  Simply click on the header.

About the database

The specialists list is maintained by the Office of Communications.  For questions, comments or to submit your information to be added as a specialist please contact Jennifer Nichols Kearns, Director of Communications.  Those individuals whose information is listed have agreed to be contacted by and responsive to media requests.

Search Oceanography

Name Expertise/Interests Department
Professor

Biology

Paul Sykes

Biology, Fencing, Oceanography


Area of Expertise

General Biology, Marine Biology, Oceanography (Marine Zooplankton Adaptations and Bioluminescence), Fencing, Shodan in Judo

More:
Paul Sykes is the chair of the Biology department at San Diego Mesa College. His background includes both basic biology and marine biology. He received his marine biology training at the highly-regarded Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. He specializes in biology and oceanography, specifically marine zooplankton adaptations and bioluminescence.

In addition to his scientific expertise, Sykes is the faculty advisor of the Mesa College Fencing Club and teaches fencing. He is also a member of Mesa's Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT).




Role at Mesa

Professor of Biology


Degrees

  • Ph.D. in Marine Biology, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
  • Master of Science, Biology, CSU Long Beach
  • Bachelor of Art, Biology, College of Creative Studies at UC Santa Barbara

Biology


Contact

Phone
psykes@sdccd.edu

Email
(619) 388-2616

Office

Assistant Professor

Geography and GIS

David Palomino

Travel, Geography and GIS, Oceanography


Area of Expertise

Physical and World Regional Geography, Coastal Processes and Physical Oceanography, Geographic Information Science and Spatial Analysis, Surfing and competitive open-water swimming, World travel, living abroad, and humanitarian work, Non-profit fundraising and event organizing

More:
David Palomino has extensive knowledge on topics related to Geography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). He holds a Master of Science in both fields from San Diego State University and specializes in physical/world regional geography, coast processes and physical oceanography, and GIS/spatial analysis. Palomino is also an expert in surfing and competitive open-water swimming.

While not in class or in the water, Palomino serves on the Board of Directors for Gigi's Playhouse, an achievement center that focuses on helping people of all ages with Down's Syndrome or with physical or learning disabilities to develop to their full potential. On campus, he is a member of Mesa's Planning and Institutional Effectiveness Committee.


Role at Mesa

Adjunct Professor, Geography & Geographic Information Systems


Degrees

  • Master of Science, Geography/Geographic Information Science, San Diego State University
  • Bachelor of Arts, Geography, California State University at Long Beach
  • Certificate of University-Level German Language, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen

Social Sciences


Contact

Phone

Email
dpalomin@sdccd.edu

Office