Loyola University - BS, Biology
My research explores how temperature induced vertebral anomalies in the spinal column of a model fish species,
Astyanax mexicanus, may impact the performance of their escape response. This research will help to elucidate the effects skeletal anomalies have on freshwater fish facing threats of predicted increases in temperature within the Neotropical region. (Advisor: Dr. Aguirre)
DePaul University - BS, Health Science
My research interests and personal hobbies have always centered around the study and conservation of animals, with a particular focus on reptiles and amphibians. I am currently working with the Field Museum on research involving the herpetofauna of the Chicagoland area. (Advisors: Dr. Ruane (Field Museum of Natural History) and Dr. Aguirre)
University of Montana, Missoula - BA, Biology; BFA, Theater
My current research explores how marine fauna change over time due to environmental changes, and how those signals can be interpreted from the fossil record. This research will not only fill a gap in understanding of the Western Interior Seaway of North America but could also help prepare conservation biologists to mitigate the effects of climate change on coastal marine habitats. (Advisor: Dr. Shimada)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - BS, Molecular and Cellular Biology
My research interests are in variation of gene expression due to environmental stimuli. Before coming to DePaul, I was a technician in a lab focused on differences in immune response based on genetic ancestry. For my thesis, I am investigating the impact of retinoic acid on ovarian development and cell signaling in a transgenic mouse model. (Advisor: Dr. Kipp)
Michigan State University – BS, Human Biology
My research interests are in microbiology, cell & molecular biology, and human health. For my thesis, I am investigating a link between herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), specifically examining whether HSV-1 entry into cells is affected by apolipoprotein-E-ε4 (ApoE-ε4), a genetic risk factor for AD. (Advisor: Dr. Connolly)
University of South Florida BS, Environmental Biology
My research interests center around population dynamics of mixed conifer forests. I plan to focus on regeneration in populations of white spruce (Picea glauca) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea). I am hopeful that this research will shine some light on a relatively understudied aspect of conifer forests and mast seeding. (Advisor: Dr. LaMontagne)
Stonehill College – BS, Biology
The goal of my project is to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of
Cladia aggregata, a species of lichen-forming fungi, across Asia and the Neotropics. The primary goal is to determine whether there is evidence of ongoing gene flow between the Asian and Neotropical populations or if these populations should be recognized as distinct species. (Advisors: Dr. Grewe (Field Museum) and Dr. Dean)
DePaul University - BS, Health Science
My research interests are focused on looking at the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in both sexes of adolescent rats. (Advisor: Dr. Bell)
DePaul University - BA, Biological Sciences with a Concentration in Ecology and Evolution
Coming soon. (Advisor: Dr. Aguirre)
Missouri Southern State University – BS, Biology (Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation)
My research interests include Ecology and Macrosystems biology. My current research is looking to find ecological dipoles that exist at a continental scale in seed-eating small mammal and bird populations as a result of mast-seeding by trees. My research uses data collected at 25 National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) sites spanning almost 6000 kilometers and involves investigating novel connections at large spatial scales. (Advisor: Dr. LaMontagne)
University of Mount Union - BS, Biology and Spanish
James is interested in the ecophysiology of fish, primarily how they respond to exposure to aquatic pollutants. His current research explores the effects of polyethylene nanoplastics on the gill function and behavior of Zebrafish (Danio rerio). He hopes to use this research to promote the conservation of aquatic habitats. (Advisor: Dr. Bystriansky)
DePaul University - BS, Biological Sciences
My research interests include functional morphology, evolutionary-developmental biology, and ichthyology. I am working to elucidate how deformities of the spine in the Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus) influences body shape, an ecologically relevant trait. As these deformities arise through changes in water temperature, I hope that my research may provide insight into the potential impacts of climate change on freshwater fish fitness. (Advisor: Dr. Aguirre)
University of Mount Olive - Biological Sciences
My research involves looking at the physiological effects of ocean acidification in Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). I am particularly interested in their ability to sequester lead [Pb] in their calcium carbonate shells in acidified water, which is an important ecosystem service oysters provide in estuarine environments. Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels increase ocean acidification and pose a great threat to most shelled marine invertebrates, so it is important to understand the implications on some of the ocean's most vulnerable inhabitants - oysters. (Advisor: Dr. Bystriansky)
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh - BS, Biology
My research includes examining the neurocrania of different Lake Malawi cichlids to understand how morphology influences feeding performance. Additionally, I am interested in uncovering the genetic basis of neurocranial shape variation. Through this research, I aim to gain insights into the incipient stages of adaptive radiation. (Advisor: Dr. Conith)
DePaul University - BS, Biological Sciences
My research interests are in cell and molecular biology. For my thesis, I am examining the effects of gold(I) chloride compounds on the cell proliferation and cell survival proteins in prominent signaling pathways of breast cancer cells. (Advisor: Dr. Rajah)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - BS, Integrative Biology
Genetics (Advisor: Dr. Gilliland)
Auburn University - BS, Organismal Biology (Ecology, Evolution, Behavior) | BS, Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet Pre-Professional)
Hi, there! I am a second-year graduate student in the Aguirre Lab here at DePaul. My primary research interests include using environmental DNA as a means of identifying the presence or absence of select freshwater fish taxa in the wild, and subsequently using my data to predict the abundance of the taxa at sampling sites. Visualization of this involves distribution mapping of species occurrences and using heat maps to demonstrate abundance. In preparation for my project, and to fill in lacking information on genetic databases, I am working to create a reference library at the 12s, 16s, and COI loci for the freshwater fish taxa represented in Western Ecuador. Whereas I aim to have all taxa represented in the reference library, my focus research with eDNA only looks at five commercially, economically, or ecologically important species that are threatened by coastal incursion events from sea level rise. (Advisor: Dr. Aguirre)
DePaul University - BS Biological Sciences
My research interest focuses on the ecology and evolution core of biology. I am currently investigating a fossil fish specimen collected from a Late Cretaceous marine deposit in Texas. It is tentatively identified to belong to a species of the extinct bony fish order Tselfatiiformes and is anticipated to offer new information about the evolution of this order. (Advisor: Dr. Shimada)
DePaul University – BS, Neuroscience; BS, Psychology
My research interests include understanding the effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on alterations to epigenetics and physiology as a variable for psychiatric and neural disorder onset. My goal is to clarify the role of these chemicals as an exacerbator of both mental and physical illness during critical periods of growth. (Advisor: Dr. Bell)
Case Western Reserve University BS, Biology, Biochemistry
Coming soon. (Advisor: Dr. LaMontagne)
DePaul University - BS, Biological Sciences
My research interests include viruses that infect bacteria, known as bacteriophages. I’m interested in the use of phages as an alternative treatment strategy to infections with antibiotic resistant bacteria. My current research is focused on characterizing phages against the multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogen
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. (Advisor: Dr. Brooke)