Lab News
Student Research Project in the News
February 2, 2024
Genomics Milestone at LSSU!
Biology Major Tailey McCloskey achieves LSSU's first entirely in-house genome assembly under Dr. Kolomyjec's mentorship. The complete mitochondrial genome of Corvomeyenia everetti is now on GenBank:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/PP068995
Driven by collaboration and innovation, LSSU continues to excel in biology research!
SooLeader (Local Paper): https://www.sooleader.com/local-news/very-first-in-house-genome-produced-at-lake-state-8161091
WCMU (Michigan Public Radio): https://radio.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-02-02/lake-superior-state-sequences-first-in-house-genome
Open House for µXRF
February 2, 2024
The Micro Analysis and Spectroscopic Characterization (MASC) Lab will host an open house on Friday February 2, from 12-4pm in Crawford Hall Room 105. We will be highlighting and demonstrating our recently installed Bruker M4 Tornado Plus micro x-ray fluorescence spectrometer (uXRF), as well as the JEOL scanning electron microscope (SEM). The micro XRF enhances our capability to image the location of elements and heavy metals in biological tissues, engineered materials, forensic specimens, and geologic materials. The SEM allows high resolution imaging with magnifications up to 300,000x. This event is open to the public - pizza and refreshments will be provided.
MASC Lab & Sponge Project Featured by JEOL USA
January 26, 2024
At Lake Superior State University, the school's extensive environmental studies are revealing much about microfibers and heavy metals found in cannabis plants, while the state of Michigan is getting an updated survey of the tremendous diversity of freshwater sponges found in the watersheds. Two professors and their students are conducting their research with the Scanning Electron Microscope just added to their Micro Analysis and Spectroscopic Characterization Lab. https://bit.ly/3SfObpH
Open House for SEM
September 15, 2023
Drs. Kolomyjec and Wright hosted an open house to demonstrate the newly installed Scanning Electron Microscope to the campus community. The event was attended by over 150 students, staff, and faculty. Undergraduate students were encouraged to get hands on exposure to using the new instrument.
NSF Funding for a µXRF
August, 2023
Dr. Kolomyjec was the CO-PI on a successfully National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation grant.
Major Project: Tissue level localization of elements in freshwater sponges
Sponge group goes to Europe
October, 2022
Undergraduate research students Mallory McNulty and Eric Somsky accompanied Dr. Kolomyjec to the 11th World Sponge Conference in Leiden, Netherlands. Dr. Kolomyjec and Mallory presented.
Presentations: S Kolomyjec (pdf)
NSF Funding for an SEM
August, 2022
Dr. Kolomyjec was the PI on a successfully National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation grant.
Major Project: Morphological characterization of spicules in Michigan’s freshwater sponges
2022 Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting
May, 2022
Huron Mountain Club Expidition
July 10-18, 2021
Undergraduate research students Mallory McNulty and Eric Somsky accompanied Dr. Kolomyjec on a sponsored trip to the Huron Mountain Club. While there the team spent 8 days surveying the club waterways for freshwater sponges. Sponsored by the Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation.
Research Products: Report (pdf) | Presentation (pdf)
Electrofishing training
August 24, 2020
A representative of Trout Unlimited came up to LSSU from Lansing to lend Dr. Kolomyjec's research group an electrofishing backpack and provide in field training on its safe and effective use.
New Research Gear - Underwater ROV
August 6, 2020
An underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV) was purchased to scout for and observe freshwater sponges in their natural habitat. A gripper arm for sample collection for the ROV is also on order.