Since 2009, I have been involved in a diverse collection of research endeavors and developed an arsenal of field and laboratory techniques to match. Some projects were completely devised, implemented and completed by me, while others varied in the degree or portion in which I was involved. As both a project lead and a temporary volunteer, I have been able to get my hands dirty and my interests broadened.
Some of my personal highlights are:
The two projects summarized below were part of my research experience as an undergraduate at Brown University. Through the generosity of both the Smith/Sax and Rand laboratories, I was able to practice my laboratory techniques, literature research skills, and experimental planning through two unique, independently-developed research theses.
Some of my personal highlights are:
- Observing animal behavior in a captive setting and presenting enclosure/activity suggestions to the staff of the Roger Williams Park Zoo (Primary researcher, Brown University)
- Comparing the genetic similarities between red wolves, coyotes and other wolf species to reevaluate their phylogeny (Primary researcher, Brown University)
- Evaluating the success of a translocation of Cook Strait Giant Weta into a seabird sanctuary in Hawkes Bay (Primary researcher, Victoria University of Wellington)
- Capturing biodiversity, environmental quality and monetary value data from an Intermittently Closed and Open Lake and Lagoon (ICOLL) in New South Wales to develop and evaluate possible management zonation plans (Primary researcher, University of New South Wales)
- Monitoring waterbird populations near cattle farms in the outback of New South Wales (Assistant, University of New South Wales)
- Analyzing camera trap footage of watering holes to track wildlife in the Murray-Darling Basin (Assistant, University of New South Wales)
The two projects summarized below were part of my research experience as an undergraduate at Brown University. Through the generosity of both the Smith/Sax and Rand laboratories, I was able to practice my laboratory techniques, literature research skills, and experimental planning through two unique, independently-developed research theses.
Impact of Disease on Species Conservation
Disease has been found to be a driving force in the extinction of only a small subset of extinct species and species on the verge of extinction. However, very little is understood about the possible interactions between other extinction threats and disease. Using a small group of species, mainly amphibians and mammals, with a substantial literary history, I investigated the timeline of all related threats and their interactions. This project was the result of a previous collaboration with Dr. Katherine Smith of Brown University and Dr. Matthew Heard of Belmont University, and was supervised by Dr. Katherine Smith.
Heard, M., Smith, K.F. , Ripp, K., Berger, M., Chen, J., Dittmeier, J., Gotter, M., Ryan, E., McGarvey, S. (2013). The Threat of Disease Increases as Species Move Toward Extinction. Conservation Biology, 27(6), 1378-1388.
Heard, M., Smith, K.F. , Ripp, K., Berger, M., Chen, J., Dittmeier, J., Gotter, M., Ryan, E., McGarvey, S. (2013). The Threat of Disease Increases as Species Move Toward Extinction. Conservation Biology, 27(6), 1378-1388.
Environmental Effects on Genetic Interactions and Phenotype
Proteins in the mitochondrial inner membrane are encoded by both the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) and the nuclear genome. By adding an environmental factor, such as diet, this genetic interaction can be altered and can provide insight into the effects of epistases on organismal fitness. I attempted to unravel these interactions by applying dietary stress to Drosophila lines that I have crossed to create a range of mtDNA and nuclear background combinations. This project was supervised by Dr. David Rand and funded by the Karen T. Romer Undergraduate Teaching and Research Award (UTRA) at Brown University.
Check out my Summer Research Symposium poster!
Check out my Summer Research Symposium poster!