PROFILES OF RECENT GRADUATE STUDENTS

Name: Emily Broderick
Undergraduate Institution: University of the Virgin Islands, BS Marine Biology
Degree: MS Biology
Advisor: Dr. Kim
Research Project: Investigated the relationship between the surface microbial communities on the Caribbean sea fan coral Gorgonia ventalina and overall coral health. Used 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, BA Psychology
Degree: MS Biology
Advisor: Dr. Schaeff
Research Project: Studied developmental stress in bottlenose dolphins via a technique called fluctuating asymmetry.

Name: Erika Trovato
Undergraduate Institution: Catholic University of America, BS Biology
Degree: MS Biology
Advisor: Dr. Decicco-Skinner
Research Project: Conducted 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. Utilized techniques such as confocal microscopy, angiogenic arrays, inhibition assays, immunohistochemistry, and Western Analysis in order to effectively utilize transgenic mouse models.

Name: Caroline Fortunato
Undergraduate Institution: American University, BA Environmental Science
Degree: MS Biology
Advisor: Dr. Bushaw-Newton
Research Project: My project focused 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 assessed 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.