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Alex McCorkle '10, is working on the effects of natural ice nucleating bacteria on the freezing tolerance in the ribbed mussel Geukensia Demissa. To do this he has characterized and is identifying ice nucleating bacteria isolated from the mantel fluid from the mussels. He is determining if the bacteria influence overall survival and if tissues have less damage when frozen in the presence of the bacteria. Cell death is being assayed using two fluorescent markers. One emits red light when inside a dead cell. The other emits green light when inside a live cell.
Faculty Advisor: Steve Loomis
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Adrian Idrizi '08, is studying the diversity and community composition of denitrifying bacteria in salt marsh sediments. He is using molecular methods to characterize the community based on the gene for dissimilatory nitrite reductase (nirS). Denitrifying bacteria play an important role in the global nitrogen cycle by converting oxidized forms of nitrogen back to atmospheric nitrogen gas. Nitrogen plays a tremendously important role in the biogeochemistry of coastal systems where inputs of nitrogen can stimulate primary production and create eutrophic conditions. Despite the broadly accepted role that microbes play in nitrogen cycling in coastal habitats, little is known about direct and indirect controls on the microbial communities responsible for nitrogen cycling. This is the first study on the diversity of denitrifying bacteria in salt marshes.
Faculty Advisor: Anne Bernhard
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Stephen Rossiter '09, William Karis '09, (top photo left to right) and Corrine Folsom, M.A. candidate, Visna Ngov '07, (bottom photo left to right) completed standardized surveys of birds along powerline corridors. They also monitored nest success of prairie warblers and field sparrows on along a powerline. They set up laser-triggered cameras at nests to identify predators that take eggs and nestlings. Their goal is to assess the importance of the low vegetation along powerlines as nesting habitat for several declining species of birds. The results of this study will be directly applicable to improving conservation along powerline corridors, providing data on what types of vegetation management are likely to enhance biological diversity. These same management recommendations also would apply to nature preserves and other conservation lands that are being restored for grassland and shrubland species.
Faculty Advisor: Robert Askins
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