Undergraduate Highlight

Undergraduate Highlight: Ash Kerber - For the Love of Flowers

Anonymous — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 21:13:09 +0000

Undergraduate Highlight: Ash Kerber - For the Love of Flowers Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 01/20/2024 - 14:13

For the Love of Flowers

I knew when I was knee-deep in mud, covered head to toe in bug bites, having been measuring flowers for hours, that I was actually doing exactly what I was meant to do. While it may seem brutal, field-based science is where I have had the most meaningful experiences in my biology career. My name is Ash Kerber and I am a senior studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I have a particular interest in angiosperm morphology (color, scent, morphometrics) and pollination syndromes. While botany has been the main focus of my research experience throughout my undergrad, I have had a passion for insect biodiversity since I was a child. Nowadays, I also prioritize incorporating feminist and anticolonial science practices into the projects I pursue. I have spent the last six months traveling through the jungles of Florida, Ecuador and Brazil to explore these interests, aid in higher level research projects, collaborate with international colleagues and explore what being a dialectical biologist means. During our travels, my labmate and I were fortunate enough to spend every day in the field studying a family of flowers known as Melastomataceae. These unique plants require buzz pollination in order to reproduce, and we are trying to understand why. In my last semester here at CU Boulder, I will be analyzing the videos and specimen samples that we collected over the last six months. This summer, in collaboration with the University of Vienna, Austria, I plan to present our findings at the International Botanical Congress Conference in Madrid, Spain. Wanna see some cool creatures I saw in the jungle? Click here!

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Examining the Genetic Architecture of Seed Pericarp Hardness in Agricultural Sunflower Crops – Joey White

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:48:23 +0000

Examining the Genetic Architecture of Seed Pericarp Hardness in Agricultural Sunflower Crops – Joey White Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/10/2023 - 13:48

For many years now, I have been curious about how genetic constitution determines individual phenotypes, as well as how genes are inherited between generations. Through my education in evolution and genetics, my interests have shifted to understanding the genetic underpinning of expressed traits in individuals and how quantitative genetics and inheritance patterns can be used to determine the genetic composition of populations.

I became interested in genomics after taking Dr. Nolan Kane’s class on the topic in the fall of 2021. Afterward, I was hired to work in his lab as an intern, where I started exploring the idea of an honors thesis. Through the Kane lab, I was introduced to Dr. Brent Hulke and Dr. Jarrad Prasifka from the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Fargo, ND, with whom I started my research. They recruited me to work on a broader project: to investigate the genetic architecture of insect resistance traits in Helianthus annuus, and to create linkage maps of genetic markers for breeding purposes. The piece of the project that I adopted was to determine the genetic components of seed pericarp hardness, a trait which contributes to herbivore resistance in sunflower. I spent the summer of 2022 doing field work in Fargo where I collected phonotype data and tissue samples from a crop sunflower (H. annuus) mapping population. Since then, I have been extracting DNA from the tissue samples and getting them sequenced. In the following months I will be working with the sequence data to bioinformatically assemble the genomes and then work on QTL mapping and analysis for the phenotype dataset.

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Tail plays important role in lizard’s life – Yanru Wei

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:47:12 +0000

Tail plays important role in lizard’s life – Yanru Wei Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/10/2023 - 13:47

In summer 2022, I started work with the Kamath Lab and assisted the study on Southern Prairie Lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus) in Colorado. That was one of my best life experiences: for someone who grew up loving reptiles, there is no cooler job than catching lizards in the wild and observing them in a lab. In my time with these palm-size reptiles, I noticed that they often vibrate or whip their tails like rattlesnakes prior to attacking prey. Curious about this behavior, I tried to look for papers that discuss the relationship between reptilian tail movement and foraging success. Surprisingly, despite quite a few sightings and video recordings, I found no studies exploring the mechanism and evolutionary significance behind this behavior. After a period of wondering, a bold idea came to my mind: can I do an experiment to explore the motivation behind this behavior?

With the help of Dr. Ambika Kamath and the other lab members, the idea actually came true. When I realized it could become a real paper, I couldn't wait to start working on it. By observing and recording the Sceloporus’ reaction to five types of prey with different sizes and morphology, I found that their tail movements were related to the type of prey. They tend to vibrate their tails when facing prey with higher mobility, but not when facing slower prey. This proves that Sceloporus have the ability to vary their foraging strategies and behaviors somewhat depending on the type of prey they face. Studying this behavior may help us learn more about ecological and evolutionary significance of reptilian foraging behavior, as well as reptilian behavior in captivity. When I finished the experiment, I realized that this was the first time I was able to combine my interests and passion about animals with academics. I look forward to continuing my exploration of natural science and exploring my further interests in future careers.

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Photosymbiosis: It’s Not Just Corals - Kayla Vasarhelyi

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:45:33 +0000

Photosymbiosis: It’s Not Just Corals - Kayla Vasarhelyi Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/10/2023 - 13:45

I grew up near Cleveland, Ohio, a short drive from Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Lake Erie. This location allowed me to spend my childhood exploring the many forests, streams, ponds, and lakeshores of northeast Ohio. Over time, I developed a curiosity for the way the natural world works. However, my greatest fascination sat hundreds of miles away: the ocean. The ocean’s vastness and mysterious biology enthralled me. Whether it be staring into aquarium exhibits for far too long, diving for seashells and other seafloor treasures, or waking up early to explore tidepools at low tide, I jumped at every opportunity to satiate my curiosities about marine life. Despite eventually moving even further from the coast for college to the land-locked state of Colorado, my love for marine life never wavered. This love led me to CU Boulder’s marine invertebrate laboratory led by Dr. Jingchun Li.

In the Li lab, I began to learn about the intricacies of the photosymbiotic relationship that powers coral reef productivity. I found it fascinating that a relationship between two tiny organisms can facilitate the functioning of one of the most important ecosystems to global marine and human health. Eventually, I began my own research digging into the genetics of a photosymbiotic relationship found in marine bivalves from the family Fraginae. This digging has now unfolded into a full-blown obsession and has ultimately become my honors thesis.

The goal of my thesis is to use transcriptomic analysis to determine the metabolic exchanges underpinning the relationship between dinoflagellate algae of the genus Cladocopium and two species of Fraginae distributed at distinct depths and light conditions. This research will be the first of its kind on the Fraginae system. I hope for this novel research to broaden our understanding of the way photosymbiotic relationships can operate in reef systems and provide a jumping off point for further research into the effects anthropogenic stress may have on non-coral photosymbiotic relationships.

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Undergrad Highlight - Olivia Taylor

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:44:13 +0000

Undergrad Highlight - Olivia Taylor Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/10/2023 - 13:44

In perhaps a strange turn of events, I’ve found myself studying EBIO after initially embarking on my undergraduate career as a Violin Performance major. While this transition may seem drastic, to me it was a natural decision that followed my love of music, and more importantly, my curiosity about its nature. I’ve always been fascinated with the origins of music—how did it arise, why is it present in every culture, and why are we so emotionally stirred by it? Does it have an evolutionary purpose? By studying the existence of music and how it functions in other animals, I think we can gain valuable and novel insights into these questions. And what better place to start than with the most ubiquitous form of biologically-embedded music: birdsong.

My research in the Taylor Lab focuses on two species of closely-related songbirds, the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) and the mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli). Here in Colorado, their populations geographically overlap. This can lead to interspecies interactions, even hybridization (i.e., the interbreeding of two species), between the two. I’m looking at how their songs differ between these populations that geographically overlap, and populations that are geographically isolated from one another. I’m hoping that my study will further illuminate which influences drive song evolution; particularly, how co-occurring species can affect each others’ songs.

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How Closely Does your Dog Resemble You? - Kaitlyn Sudowsky

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:42:57 +0000

How Closely Does your Dog Resemble You? - Kaitlyn Sudowsky Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/10/2023 - 13:42

Dogs take after their owners… or so they say. I have been surrounded by animals throughout my entire life, and while each one of them has their own characteristics, they all seem to share an abstract similarity. As a pre-vet student, personality, behavior, and temperament of animals has always interested me. Throughout my coursework at CU, I was able to take a class called Animal Behavior, which unfolded the complexities of the actions and behaviors of animals. I was able to combine passion and knowledge to discover new psychological components of animals I was interested in.

My research is a literary analysis of the origin and influences of canine personality. To what degree does the environment and/or genetics play in influencing a pet’s personality; if canine personality is not a fixed mechanism, can a dog’s personality, behavior, and reactions align to their owners? Dogs are an especially interesting animal to choose because they have been highly domesticated, and their lives are closely intertwined with our day-to-day activities. Another level of analysis is interviewing veterinarians, professionals in the field, on their personal experiences and opinions of dog personalities.

This research is significant to both pet owners and veterinarians. By understanding the mechanisms and psychology behind dog personality, we can create better environments for our pets to live in. This project allows me to explore the field of veterinary medicine from a different perspective. I look forward to working with Dr. Kamath, seeing what conclusions can be drawn from the literature, and being able to speak with veterinarians.

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Amnesia from a Lobster Roll? - Elisabeth Sellinger

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:40:36 +0000

Amnesia from a Lobster Roll? - Elisabeth Sellinger Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/10/2023 - 13:40

My passion for marine studies began after taking a summer course on the Big Island of Hawaii where I learned about the biology and ecology of the island through a cultural lens. Since then, I have been interested in interdisciplinary research involving biology, chemistry, ecology, and environmental policy.

While here in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EBIO) department at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), I have built a strong foundation in these disciplines and have also broadened my scope to include a minor in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC). The skills I developed both in class and through my lab position in Dr. Nancy Emery’s lab in the EBIO department were combined and strengthened this past summer through a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography.

During this 10-week program, I performed research on the cosmopolitan phytoplankton Pseudo-Nitzschia. This diatom genus has toxigenic species which produce a neurotoxin called domoic acid. Domoic acid biomagnifies within the food chain, meaning that larger organisms consume higher concentrations of this neurotoxin, which can lead to spatial memory impairment in marine mammals (ex: navigating to breeding grounds) and permanent short-term memory loss in humans, among other impacts. Severe cases of domoic acid poisoning can even result in death.

My research focused specifically on Pseudo-Nitzschia species from Narragansett Bay, RI, which had shellfishery closures in 2016 and 2017 due to concerning levels of domoic acid present in shellfish meat. I looked at what nutrient conditions within the water led to higher levels of domoic acid produced per cell of Pseudo-Nitzschia as well as the overall bloom size. By manipulating the concentrations of three nutrients used by these diatoms for growth, I was able to analyze how they impacted bloom size and domoic acid production. This information is very important for informing local shellfisheries and public health officials to ensure the safety of the community. It is also contributing to the growing knowledge of this diatom species and its global bloom dynamics.

I am excited to continue my research from this internship for my honors thesis here at CU Boulder and present my findings to the scientific community. Now the next time you eat a lobster roll or a good bowl of clam chowder, you don’t have to worry about permanent short-term memory loss– scientists are on the job!

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Stung by Climate Change - Celeste Robinsion

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:39:24 +0000

Stung by Climate Change - Celeste Robinsion Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/10/2023 - 13:39

Coming to a land locked state to study marine biology, I wasn’t sure what opportunities would lay ahead for me. The moment I learned of a marine invertebrate lab in the EBIO department, I knew I had to find a way to join. At first, I had no idea how they were doing marine biology from Colorado, I just knew I was eager to learn. As soon as I discovered there were jellyfish on campus being used for marine research, I was set on becoming a part of that team. Through this, I have been able to research how climate change, specifically warming ocean temperatures, is impacting development and symbiosis in marine communities through the upside-down jellyfish and algae symbiosis. By investigating how climate change is impacting this specific system, we can make inferences as to how development and symbiosis may change in marine ecosystems overall in the coming years as our oceans warm. I hope to be able to continue marine research, perhaps with more field components, as I navigate life outside of CU

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Alpine Arthropods: Little Creatures with a Great View - Trevor Randall

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:37:21 +0000

Alpine Arthropods: Little Creatures with a Great View - Trevor Randall Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/10/2023 - 13:37

Any scientist and informed person will tell you that climate change is detrimentally affecting the world in ways that we can measure, and in ways that we have yet to learn. We have all seen the polar bears on melting ice caps, and the tragic story of the Northern White Rhino (both of which are incredibly important topics), but how often do you stop and think about the little creatures running around your feet? Surely an ever-changing climate must affect them too, right?

I personally had no idea that I even liked ecology until I took General Biology 2. It was like a switch flipped in my brain; I couldn’t get enough of the field that was trying to understand how the earth and its inhabitants worked together. In serendipitous fashion I later returned to Gen Bio 2 as an undergraduate TA where I was presented with an amazing research opportunity to learn how climate change affects the creatures we all seem to forget about.

Under Dr. Warren Sconiers I was given the opportunity to conduct ecological research in the alpine tundra. We were able to research the effect of early snow melt on arthropod diversity (think insects, spiders, centipedes, millipedes etc.). Through this, we hope to predict future effects that climate change will have and to better understand what is happening now with the changing snowmelt that is scientifically proven to be occurring.

The alpine tundra is not easy to get to, but wow is it worth it. I was able to stay at the Mountain Research Station in Nederland, CO, USA. My summer became full of living in a small cabin, meeting scientists and students who share the same passions as me, and hiking up a mountain for our research. On the ridge, at over 11,000ft elevation, the views go on for miles. The only thing we can’t see, is the future for the arthropods, but that is what we are working to understand. To ensure that those small, hardworking creatures of the world are protected against climate change, creating a more ecologically stable future for us all.

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Broad Interests and Small Insects - Emily Pfaller

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:27:04 +0000

Broad Interests and Small Insects - Emily Pfaller Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/10/2023 - 13:27

As a student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, I have been presented with a wide variety of subjects spanning both the natural and social sciences. For the majority of my undergraduate career, this variety of choice and opportunity felt extremely overwhelming. During my junior year I decided that I wanted to combine my interests to focus on the interaction of social systems and ecosystems in order to further understand the impact that humans have on ecosystems. Presently, my research focuses on wildfire impacts to the pawnee montane skipper (Hesperia leonardus montana), a species of butterfly endemic to 20,000 acres on the Colorado front range. While I never imagined that I would end up focusing on such a specific area, it has been extremely rewarding and has proven to be a great way to be able to study my very broad interests in a reasonable timeframe. Utilizing data collected from researchers at Colorado State University and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, I am able to determine the extinction risk of the species and assess how previous wildfires have impacted the viable habitat area. This assessment may be used to help inform forest management decisions for the species habitat area and surrounding forest. Participating in an honors thesis in the EBIO department has allowed me to utilize my knowledge from coursework and further explore my interests in a more engaging and impactful setting

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