Dr. Stephen Kolomyjec

Education:

• 2011. Doctor of Philosophy: Zoology – James Cook University, Australia

• 2006. Grad. Dip. Research Methods: Zoology & Tropical Ecology – James Cook University, Australia

• 2005. Bachelor of Arts (Magna Cum Laude): Biology – Olivet College, USA

PhD Thesis: The history and relationships of northern platypus populations: a molecular approach. Advisors: David Blair PhD and Christopher Johnson PhD. 

National Geographic segment on my PhD: http://youtu.be/OVneqhu9oZk 

Publications

Cassidy R, de la Cruz L, Mitsi K, Galià-Camps C, Benítez-López A, Gracia-Sancha C, Lorente-Sorolla J, Álvarez A, Mozo R, Kolomyjec SH, & Nichols S. 2025. Genomic connectivity and adaptation signals of the freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri across its distribution. In-review. Pre-print on bioRxiv: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.21.634144 

Mijangos JL, Bino G, Hawke T, Kolomyjec SH, Kingsford RT, Sidhu H, Grant TR, Day J, Dias KN, Gongora J, and Sherwin WB. 2022. Fragmentation by large dams and implications for the future viability of small platypus populations. Communications: Biology, 5(1), p.1127. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-04038-9

Martin HC, Batty EM, Hussin J, Westall P, Daish T, Kolomyjec SH, Piazza P, Bowden R, Hawkins M, Grant TR, Moritz C, Grutzner F, Gongora J, and Donnelly P. 2018. Insights into platypus population structure and history from whole-genome sequencing. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 35(5):1238–1252 doi:10.1093/molbev/msy041

Kolomyjec SH, Grant TR, Johnson CN, and Blair, D. 2013. Regional population structuring and conservation units in the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). Australian Journal of Zoology, 61(2), 378-385. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ZO13029

Gongora J, Swan AB, Chong AY, Ho SYW, Damayanti CS, Kolomyjec SH, Grant TR, Miller E, Blair D, Furlan E, Gust N. 2012. Genetic structure and phylogeography of platypuses revealed by mitochondrial DNA. Journal of Zoology, 286(2), 110 – 119. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2011.00854.x

Kolomyjec SH. 2010. The history and relationships of northern platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) populations: a molecular approach. (Doctoral dissertation, James Cook University).

Kolomyjec SH, Chong JYT, Blair D, Gongora J, Grant TR, Johnson CN, & Moran C. 2009. Population genetics of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus): a fine scale look at adjacent river systems. Australian Journal of Zoology, 57, 225-334.

Kolomyjec SH, Grant TR, & Blair D. 2008. Ten polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers for the platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus. Molecular Ecology Resources, 8, 1133 – 1135.

Selected Conference & Seminar Presentations

Castillejo LC, Cassidy R , Mitsi K, Galià-Camps C, Benítez-López A, Gracia-Sancha C, Lorente-Sorolla J, Fernández AA, Mozo R, Kolomyjec SH, Nichols S, Manconi R, Pereira R, Evans K, Itskovich V, Horton AL, Leys SP, Taboada S, & Riesgo A. 2025. Genomic connectivity and adaptation signals of the freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri across its distribution. 12th World Sponge Conference (Vila do Conde, Portugal): Oral Presentation, co-author.

Kolomyjec SH, McLean E, McNulty M, Willford RA, & Suzzi-Simmons A. 2025. Establishing baseline spicule malformation rates for seven species of freshwater sponge (Porifera: Spongillidae). 12th World Sponge Conference (Vila do Conde, Portugal): Poster Presentation. 

Suzzi-Simmons A, Willford RA, McNulty M, Somsky E, Bowman R, McLean E, Miller MG, & Kolomyjec SH. 2025. Porifera the people: A deep dive into North America's freshwater sponge research. 12th World Sponge Conference (Vila do Conde, Portugal): Oral Presentation, presenting co-author.

Kolomyjec SH. 2023. Building a phylogeny of Michigan’s freshwater sponges: A C.U.R.E. for integrating undergraduate students into the research process. Upper Peninsula Teaching and Learning Conference (UPTLC, Sault Sainte Marie, MI): Poster Presentation.

Kolomyjec SH, Rocheford MK, Willford RA, McNulty M, Somsky E, Loop B, & Neelis R. 2022. Freshwater Sponges of the Great Lakes Region: Biodiversity, Distribution, and Phylogeny. 11th World Sponge Symposium (Leiden, Netherlands): Oral Presentation.

Mitsi K, Díez-Vives C, Taboada S, Verdes A, Conejero M, Cuesta D, Kolomyjec SH, Nichols S, Manconi R, Fiore C, Evans K, Lucey J, Morales J, Leys S, Hill A, & Riesgo A. 2022. The relationship between the genotype and the microbial communities in the freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri. 11th World Sponge Symposium (Leiden, Netherlands): Oral Presentation, co-author.

McNulty M, Willford R, Southwell B, Wright D, & Kolomyjec SH. 2022. Bioaccumulation and Bioregulation of Trace Elements Within Freshwater Sponges. 11th World Sponge Symposium (Leiden, Netherlands): Oral Presentation, co-author/ advisor.

Kolomyjec SH, Rocheford M, Willford RA, McNulty M, and Somsky E. 2022. Michigan's Freshwater Sponges: Biodiversity, distribution, and phylogeny. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting (JASM, Grand Rapids, MI): Oral Presentation.

Mijangos JL, Bino G, Hawke T, Kolomyjec SH, Kingsford RT, Sidhu H, Grant T, Day J, Dias KN, Gongora J, and Sherwin WB. 2021. Fragmentation by large dams and implications for the future viability of small platypus populations. 67th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Mammal Society. Virtual/Perth, Australia. Oral Presentation, co-author. 

Kolomyjec SH. 2015. Molecular markers, modeling and morphometrics: Increasing our understanding of the platypus. 95th annual meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists. Jacksonville, Florida. Oral Presentation.

Kolomyjec SH, Parsons JG, Johnson, CN, & Blair D. 2009. Climatic constraints on the distribution of the platypus [Ornithorhynchus anatinus]. Tasmanian Platypus Forum, Hobart, Tasmania. Oral Presentation.

Kolomyjec SH, Chong J, Blair D, Girjes A, Gongora J, Grant TR, Johnson C, & Moran C. 2009. Cross-catchment gene flow in the platypus. Australian Mammal Society, Perth, Western Australia. Poster Presentation.

Kolomyjec SH, Chong J, Blair D, Girjes A, Gongora J, Grant TR, Johnson C, & Moran C. 2008. Uncovering platypus structure using microsatellite DNA markers. Boden Research Conference: Beyond the platypus genome, Victor Harbour, South Australia. Oral Presentation.

Kolomyjec, SH. 2008. Genetic relationships of the platypus [Ornithorhynchus anatinus] within and across river systems. Australian Mammal Society, Darwin, Northern Territory. Oral Presentation.

Teaching Experience

Biology I – Cells and Molecules, Biology II - Organismal Biology, Biology III – Diversity of Life, Introductory Botany, Zoology, Natural History of the Vertebrates, Genetics, Evolutionary analysis, Anatomy and Physiology, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Mammalogy, Biology Seminar, Marine Biology, Ecology and Conservation,  Tropical Marine Ecosystems

 Field Experience

Leading students and volunteers on extended/remote field trips (Australia and North America), small/medium mammal capture, biometric assessment, sampling, handling and marking (South Africa, Australia and North America), venomous mammal handling (Australia), large mammal techniques (South Africa), livestock handling (North America), coastal and near-shore marine biology techniques (Australia and North America), lichen collection (North America), and freshwater sponge collection (Australia and North America).

 Lab Experience

Population genetic analysis, Microsatellite & Mitochondrial DNA marker design and optimization, phylogenetic & phylogenomics, DNA sequencing, Oxford Nanopore, 16s/18s microbiomics, DNA isolation (animal: blood, tissue, and hair; lichen: tissue), DNA barcoding, photomicroscopy, morphometric analysis (2d & 3d), anatomical display preparation, thin layer chromatography, mammalian leukocyte culture, lichen mycobiont culture.

Major Grants and Funding

As Primary Investigator

National Science Foundation: Major Research Instrumentation Grant, 2022
Acquisition of a low vacuum scanning electron microscope (SEM) with EDS detector and STEM capability to advance research and undergraduate research training.
$197,808

Funds Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation, 2020 (deferred to 2021 - covid)
Freshwater sponges of the Huron Mountains.
$1,100 + Huron Mountain Club property access and accommodation

Funds for LSSU Faculty Development Grant, 2019
LSSU Next generation sequencing initiative.
$2,500

Undergraduate Faculty Development Grant, 2014
Population structuring of the striped skunk in Ohio and the epidemiological implications of the skunk as a rabies vector species.
$1,200

SkyRail Foundation, 2008
The history and relationships of northern platypus populations: a molecular approach.
$5,000 AUD

As CO-PI

National Science Foundation: Major Research Instrumentation Grant, 2023
Consortium: Acquisition of a micro x-ray fluorescence spectrometer to support multidisciplinary research and education in the Upper Midwest.
$384,660

WV Scott Foundation, 2007
The history and relationships of northern platypus populations: a molecular approach (w/ Drs. Blair and Johnson).
$20,000 AUD

National Geographic Society, 2007
The history and relationships of northern platypus populations: a molecular approach (w/ Drs. Blair and Johnson).
$15,000