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Current Research
Leslie Chao - Thesis Topic: Microbial
diversity at hydrothermal vents
Andrea
Curtis - Microbial Diversity at the Mariana
Convergent Margin: A Window into the Ultra-Deep Subsurface
Biosphere
My
study encompasses the utilization of molecular techniques for
the detection and discovery of the dominant microbial
processes, diversity, and evolutionary relatedness governing
the subsurface microbial communities contained within
sepentinized muds derived from Mud Volcanoes along the Mariana
Forearc. Distinct microbial processes can be correlated with
their habitat when combined with pore water chemistry
information and compressional force data regulating
serpentinization. The processes influencing the mud seamounts
place strict limitations on the life present and I hope to
show that near-surface communities of comparable mud volcanoes
harbor similar bacterial and archael compositions, while deep
subsurface communities are comprised of distinct dominant
archael populations.
Molly
Dutton -I am studying the
marine intertidal alga, Fucus gardneri. This alga is
commonly grazed upon by the marine snail,
Littorina sitkana. The grazing process
causes the alga to release a chemical defense compound
phlorotannins). I am studying the time sequence
of this induction process, the mechanism
of physode transportation of phlorotannins throughout the plant, as well as structural alterations
that occur in the cell walls of the alga
after induction.
Jeannie Gilbert- Thesis topic -
Seasonal variation in benthis invertebrate communities of the
lower Samish River.
"I sampled
five sites along the lower Samish river each season for one
year to examine the changes in community dynamics. A previous
long term study has indicated a certain stability in the
community and I am exploring whether these species that have
been dominant historically are present year round or only in
the spring season."
Leslie Gonzalez - My thesis title: Assessing how
assembly rules affect community composition in a natural
serpentine grassland.
Jason Hall - I will be investigating
sequestration of chemicals and pigments in a dorid nudibranch
(Archidoris montereyensis) from its primary food source, a
poriferan (Halichondria panicea). I hope to gain some insights
into the defensive ecology and biology of this
nudibranch
Pema Kitaeff - My
thesis title is: Does Symbiont composition in the Temperate
Anemone Anthopleura xanthogrammica vary with latitude?
I am analysing tentacle samples which I
collected from intertidal anemones both in Sitka, Alaska and
in Coos Bay, Oregon in order to compare their types and
amounts of unicellular algal symbionts. I am also
analyzing some whole anemone bodies to find where algal are
localized with the host.
Hannah Lucas - I'm working with the
Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and the Wondland Park
Zoo on a Head Start/Reintroduction program of the Western Pond
Turtle, Clemmys marmorata, - a native but endangered
species in Washington. Specifically, my research
involves examining the microhabitat characteristics and
hatching success of western pond turtle nest sites in hopes of
identifying what kind of terrestrial habitat is necessary for
successful nests.
Ryan
Harried - My research is comparing the seasonal food
habits of black bears from one side of the North Cascade crest
to the other. My western study area is the Mt. Baker
Ranger District and my eastern study area is the most of the
Pasayten Wilderness.
Allison Neils - Assessing the benthic
macroinvertebrate composition in low-land streams in Whatcom
County, by comparing reaches restored for
salmon habitat with unrestored reaches.
Heather Pederson -
Thesis Topic: Efficacy of Riparian
Vegetation Restoration on Lowland Streams
in Whatcom County, Washington The goal of
my project is to evaluate riparian restoration work done by
Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
(NSEA) on three lowland agricultural
streams in Whatcom County. I'm comparing the condition of
sections restored 5 to 10 years ago to
unrestored and mature wooded sections on
the same streams by evaluating water quality parameters and
stream invertebrate community composition
as indicators of habitat quality. The main
question is whether the planting of narrow vegetation
buffers along these types of streams is
sufficient to improve stream habitat
quality, or if it appears that degradation of the larger
watershed overshadows any local
benefits.
Kara Shaber - Thesis Title:
Dinoflagellates as a Source of Nutrition in Intermediate
Stages and Natural Assemblages of Crab
Larvae. | 
