People
Brandon Henry
PhD Student
Brandon Henry is a UMaine PhD Zoology student. He is studying range expansion of blue crabs up into the Gulf of Maine, and is interested in understanding how these crustaceans are adapting to a novel environment in the wake of climate change. Physical collection and eDNA are being utilized to detect their presence at study sites, with a collaboration with Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve.
DeCorey Bolton
PhD Student
DeCorey Bolton Jr. is a UMaine PhD Zoology student. His thesis explores the dynamics of Gulf of Maine squid under climate change, including the role of RNA editing and their effect on the ecosystem.
Christiana Teye
PhD Student
Christiana is a PhD student who is developing eDNA methods study biodiversity and endangered species in marine and aquatic wetlands.
Lucia Goldman
Undergraduate Researcher
I am a senior at UMaine with a major in Ecology and Environmental Sciences. I am currently focusing on optimizing a qPCR assay for Atlantic cod DNA and RNA, with plans to research mycorrhizal fungi and their reaction to soil pollution. When I'm not in the lab, or studying for classes I enjoy hiking, rock climbing, snorkeling, archery, trial running, and gardening.
Etain Cullen
Undergraduate Researcher
Chytrid fungi culture and sequencing
Peter Avis
Collaborator
Assistant Professor of Ecological Genetics
University of Maine
Check out the Avis lab here: https://sites.google.com/view/avis-lab/home
ALUMNI
John Stechly - USGS eDNA Technician, Gainesville, FL
Ian Birchler de Allende - BS Marine Science, applying to grad programs
Aaron West BS - PhD student in Biology at the University of Kentucky
Rachel Guthrie - MS student in Biology at Governors State University
Malik David, Biology BS - Physical Therapy PhD student at Governors State University
Jennifer Nguy, Biology BS - microbiologist at Voyant Beauty
Andrea Fuentes, Biology BS - Medical Technology program student at Kankakee Community College
Nathaniel Dahlberg, Biology BS - Graduate student at Southern Mississippi
Melissa Franco, Biology BS - Blue crab population genetics
Yuri Lopez, Biology BS - lab technician at Vitalant
Neftali Ibarra, Biology BS - Pesticide effects on odonate nymphs
Reni Trutcheva-Owikoti, Environmental Biology MS - research scientist at Argonne National Laboratories
Jessica Hayden, Microbiology NS - University of Maine DNA Sequencing Laboratory Coordinator
Aaron Snow, Engineering Firm, Presque Isle, Maine