Kirsten Jones Botany major at Oregon State University Kirsten has been using bioinformatics tools to explore the chloroplast genomes of an endangered Oregon wildflower and the morphologically-similar species that grows along side it in mixed populations. Without flowers, the two species are indistinguishable, making it difficult to monitor population sizes for conservation projects. She is developing a protocol using restriction enzymes to provide a molecular solution for this conservation problem.
Amanda Roelant Botany major at Oregon State University Amanda is developing a protocol for using DNA barcode sequences to determine the identities of sterile/vegetative samples that are submitted to the Oregon State University Herbarium for identification. When very young and without flowers, some species can be challenging to identify; however, many growers across the state need to know the identities of an unknown "weed" as soon as possible to inform their land management decisions.
Former Research Students
Thomas Ludwig Armstrong Class of 2016 Thomas pioneered the use of the trehalose-based additive (TBT-PAR) in polymerase chain reactions in the lab and has been highly successful at generating DNA sequence data. Thomas explored the role of hybridization and allopolyploidy in Adiantopsis using nuclear genes and cloning.
Lindsay Norcross Armstrong Class of 2016 Lindsay is developing a bonsai-based curriculum that may change the way botanical science is taught in elementary schools. Her work involves the cultivation and documentation of several species that will be trained into mature bonsai as well as analyzing Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) that will be associated with each stage of plant development. Lindsay presented her work at Botany 2016, an annual meeting of multiple scientific societies that took place in Savannah, Georgia.
Robbie Carl Armstrong Class of 2016 Robbie explored ways to get students to "Just Look" and notice the cool biology around them. He has developed an innovative living microscope slide system that could be very effective in primary and secondary classrooms; look for the April 2016 American Biology Teacher on our Publications page to see the article on this work!
Cody Ledford Armstrong State University alum Cody contributed to the morphological characterization of Adiantopsis alata Prantl and the description of three new species in the genus. Look for this work on our Publications page.
Cicely Curtis Health Professions major at Armstrong State University. Cicely used the CO1 barcoding gene to verify the identities of insects collected by students in BIOL1107L (General Biology I Lab). The insects are analyzed for the presence or absence of the Wolbachia bacterial endosymbiont. Cicely's work involved PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatics tools to answer questions about the prevalence of this intriguing endosymbiont among insects of Coastal Georgia.
Matthew (Hunter) Seabolt Armstrong Class of 2013 Hunter is a currently a graduate student at Georgia Southern University. He is studying the evolutionary history and systematics of ticks.
Ashley Catron Armstrong Class of 2014 Ashley contributed to the lab's investigation into the role of hybridization and polyploidy in the diversification in the fern genus Adiantopsis. Ashley's work involved amplification of nuclear genes, gel extraction, and cloning.
Miekela Smith Armstrong Class of 2014 Miekela studied a morphologically unusual specimen of Adiantopsis collected in Peru and compared it with other specimens of the genus from the same regions. Her data suggest that the specimen is distinctive from other members of the genus. Continuing work in the lab will determine if it represents a new species that requires naming and description.