Biology Department Graduate Students | American University College of Arts and Sciences

Current Graduate Students
	Name: Amber Bifolck Undergraduate Institution: University of Rhode Island B.S. Marine Biology Degree: M.S. Biology Advisor: Dr. Schaeff Research Project: I am invesitgating the usefulness of a conservation technique known as Fluctuating Asymmetry (FA). The FA measurements that I collect from California Sea Lion specimens are being analyzed in relation to cause of death, with the expectation that we will observe a pattern of increased FA in sea lions that died due to disease as opposed to sea lions that died due to random causes.

	Name: Emily Broderick Undergraduate Institution: University of the Virgin Islands, B.S. Marine Biology Degree: M.S. Biology Advisor: Dr. Kim Research Project: I am investigating the relationship between the surface microbial communities on the Caribbean sea fan coral Gorgonia ventalina and overall coral health. I am using a molecular technique called denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to determine shifts in microbial diversity on the surface of diseased and healthy corals in response to environmental stress.

	Name: Cara Crawford Undergraduate Institution: Michigan State University, B.A. Psychology Degree: M.S. Biology Advisor: Dr. Schaeff Research Project: I am studying developmental stress in bottlenose dolphins via a technique called fluctuating asymmetry.

	Name: Natalie D. Hanson Undergraduate institution: Concordia College, B.A. in Environmental Studies Degree: M.S. Biology Advisor: Dr. MacAvoy Research Project: Using stable isotopes to analyze the seasonal nutrient pulses from anadromous fish. Also using stable isotopes to compare tissue turnover rates in a species of amphipod found in both springs and caves. About me: My favorite TV show is The Office and I am a doting parent of a 5 lb geriatric mini-dachshund.

	Name: Erika Trovato Undergraduate Institution: Catholic University of America, B.S. Biology Degree: M.S. Biology Advisor: Dr. Decicco-Skinner Research Project: I am conducting research at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, testing the hypothesis that removal of the MAP3K8 gene activates compensatory mechanisms/pathways that induce inflammation, leading to tumorigenesis. I am utilizing techniques such as confocal microscopy, angiogenic arrays, inhibition assays, immunohistochemistry, and Western Analysis in order to effectively utilize transgenic mouse models.

Past Graduate Students
Name: Caroline Fortunato Undergraduate Institution: American University, B.A. Environmental Science Degree: M.S. Biology Advisor: Dr. Bushaw-Newton Research Project: My project focuses on the micobial diversity of a freshwater estuary. Critical to the functioning of an estuary is the composition of the microbial community. Using chemical and molecular analyses I am assessing the temporal and spatial changes in microbial community diversity and nutrient concentrations of Jug Bay, a estuary of the Patuxent River, MD. This research allows for a greater understanding of the biogeochemical processes occurring within Jug Bay.

Name: Ken Jensen Undergraduate Institution: Washington College, B.S. Biology Degree: M.S. Biology Advisor: Dr. Bushaw-Newton Research Project: I am examining Tetracycline Resistance in bacteria isolated from the Anacostia River and the Chester River. I am using PCR and DGGE to see what tet gene is present and to see if there is any gene homology between sampling sites.