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_Biology
Department UNIVERSITY
OF MINNESOTA DULUTH
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| Graduate Students within the Department of Biology 2007-08 Academic Year |
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| Graduate Student |
Program & Advisor |
Thesis |
Student Information |
| Tyler Ahrenstorff | Program: Integrated Biosciences M.S. Advisor: Began: 2007 |
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Matt Balge |
Program: Water Resources Sciences Advisor: Dr. Tom Hrabik Began: 2003 |
Development of a lake-wide hydroacoustic sampling strategy for quantifying prey fish biomass in Lake Superior
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I received my B.S. from Northland College in Biology and Natural Resources - Fish and Wildlife Ecology (1999), and my Master's degree from the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University (2003). I've been a member of the American Fisheries Society and the Lake Michigan Technical Committee-Yellow Perch Task Group since 1999. My long-term goals include helping to develop management strategies that will ensure healthy ecosystems for future generations, and to promote public awareness of the need to conserve and protect our natural resources. |
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Margot Bergstrom |
Program: Biology M.S. Advisor: Dr. Allen Mensinger Began: 2004 |
The round goby in Western Lake Superior: Distribution, competitive interactions, and sensory physiology |
Margot is originally from northern Wisconsin and received a B.S. in biology at UMD in 2004. She has been involved in several projects including: primary productivity in lakes, biological illustration, moose browse on Isle Royale, and toadfish sensory physiology. Margot is currently investigating the impact of an exotic species, the round goby, on native fish in western Lake Superior through predator prey interactions and behavioral interactions in a stream setup. The goal is to assess under what conditions the round goby may have a competitive advantage over native species. After she receives her master’s degree, Margot would like to continue her education and attain a Ph.D. in marine biology and animal behavior. Long term goals include employment as a college professor or animal care specialist and researcher at an aquarium. |
Brian Black |
Program: Integrated Biosciences M.S. Advisor: Dr. Lucinda Johnson Began: 2006 |
I graduated from Winona State University with dual undergraduate degrees: B.S. in Environmental Biology and B.A. in Geology. During the past two summers I continued my passion for both science and nature by working with the MPCA on their Biological Monitoring Project. I aspire to obtain a Master of Science degree at UMD and eventually pursue my doctorate in hopes of teaching Environmental Science at the college level. | |
| Lindsey Blake | Program: Integrated Bioscienes M.S. Advisor: Began: 2007 |
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Allison Gamble |
Program: Water Resources Science Ph.D. Advisor: Dr. Tom Hrabik Began: 2004 |
Temporal and spatial variability within multiple trophic levels in Lake Superior | I’m originally from St. Paul and attended Lawrence University in Appleton, WI for my undergraduate degree, and earned a master’s degree in fisheries & aquatic sciences from Cornell University, NY. Currently, I’m using a biomass size spectrum model to examine temporal and spatial variability within multiple trophic levels in Lake Superior. The focal tropic levels include benthos, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish. I will also be doing diet analysis on several thousand fish stomachs, which will be tied into the size spectrum modeling. I'm interested in working for a state/federal agency after graduation |
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Program: Biology M.S. Advisor: Dr. Julie Etterson Began: 2003 |
The cytotype distribution of Solidago altissima across the forest/prairie border in Minnesot and the effect of its gallmaker, Eurostata solidaginis |
I received my undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from Northland College in 2001, and spent my summer seasons during college working as a field botanist in Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. After graduation, I moved to the west coast and worked in the environmental education field for two years. Here at UMD, my project involves studying the ecological and evolutionary dynamics between two interacting species, Solidago altissima and Eurostata solidaginis. My first research objective is to map the distribution of ploidy levels of Solidago altissima (tall goldenrod) across the forest/prairie border in Minnesota, using three forest populations and three prairie populations clinally distributed in northern, central, and southern MN. I will use meristematic root tip squashes and flow cytometry to determine the ploidy levels of approximately 450 S. altissima plants. I will then test the effect of ploidy level and biome os S. altissima on the preference and performance of the goldenrod ball gallmaker, Eurosta solidaginis. |
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David Grosshuesch |
Program: Biology M.S. Advisor: Dr. Gerald Niemi Began: 2005 |
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Terry Hams |
Program: Integrated Biosciences M.S. Advisor: Dr. Tim Craig Began: 2006 |
Avian predator selection on Goldenrod galls containing Mordellistena convicta |
I want to determine the relationship between Black-capped Chickadees, Downy woodpeckers, and Goldenrod galls as well as the gall parasite Mordellistena convicta. I plan to work with a federal or state agency in the field of ecology. My interests are primarily in ornithology, but I enjoy botany, zoology, and the other life sciences. I’m originally from Warroad, Minnesota and have traveled all over the world while in the U.S. Navy. Duluth is one of my favorite places so far and I hope to enjoy living here for many more years. |
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Dennis Hansen |
Program: Biology M.S. Advisor: Dr. Randall Hicks Began: 2005 |
Microbial source tracking of E. coli in the Duluth-Superior harbor |
Beach closures from fecal bacteria are a chronic problem in the Duluth-Superior harbor. My project compares DNA fingerprints of E. coli isolated from the environment and compares them to a library of host E. coli to determine a source of fecal contamination in public waters. My hometown is Mora, MN. I earned an A.A. degree at Cambridge Community College (2002), with a Business emphasis. I then switched fields and earned a B.S. degree in Aquatic Biology at St. Cloud State University (2005). During my time at SCSU, I spent two summers at Kent State University under the NSF-REU program studying the uptake of ATP by heterotrophic bacterioplankton. I presented these findings at the February 2004 ASLO conference in Honolulu, and the May 2005 IAGLR conference in Ann Arbor. These findings were also published in the Ohio Journal of Science. |
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Program: Water Resources Science Ph.D. Advisor: Dr. Donn Branstrator Dr. Tom Hrabik Began: 2006 |
Spatial Trophic Interactions in Lake Superior |
I received a B.A. in natural science from the College of St. Benedict in 2000 and a M.S. in biology from UMD in 2006. Currently, my Ph.D. project involves analyzing the biological and physical factors that influence the spatial arrangement of zooplankton and fish in Lake Superior. I am studying the effects of food availability, predation, and competition on the growth and density of age-0 lake trout. I am also analyzing the effect of mesoscale upwellings on the spatial arrangement of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish populations. |
Terri Jicha |
Program: Biology M.S. Advisor: Dr. Lucinda Johnson Began: 2005 |
Predicting spatial and temporal patterns of nitrification from flood pulse disturbance on the Upper Mississippi River forested floodplain |
Channelization, shoreline stabilization, construction of levees, flow regulation, and creation of impoundments on large floodplain rivers significantly reduce overbank flows. This disconnection of the floodplain from the river is suspected to have a significant effect on the rates of nutrient retention and organic matter processing, and can have detrimental consequences for downstream ecosystems. This study will provide an understanding of how overbank flooding affects the rates and spatial patterns of nitrification in forested floodplains. Born in Racine, Wisconsin, she spent her childhood playing in the local creeks and ponds. So when it came time to decide what she would be when she grew up the choice was obvious. Why grow up when you can be paid to play? She received her bachelor’s degree in Water and Soil Resources from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in 1998. After graduation she landed a coveted job with the US Environmental Protection Agency, where she participated in various research projects involving small streams, wetlands, large rivers, and currently great rivers. After completing her master’s degree in biology she will continue working with the US EPA. |
Jason Kish |
Program: Water Resources Science M.S. Advisor: Dr. Randall Hicks Began: 2006 |
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Brian Kram |
Program: Biology M.S. Advisor: Dr. Clay Carter Began: 2005 |
Genetic Regulation of Nectar Production and Secretion and Functional Analysis of Nectarins from Jacaranda mimosifolia |
The primary objective of my thesis project is to identify key genes involved in the regulation of nectar production and secretion. Additionally, I am involved in research to identify and characterize proteins present in the nectar of a tropical tree- Jacaranda mimosifolia. In the spring of 2005, I graduated from UMD with a B.S. degree in cell biology. Originally from the area, (Barnum, MN) I elected to continue my schooling at UMD in pursuit of my master's degree. After receiving my master's degree, it is my aspiration to obtain my teaching license, and become a high school biology teacher |
Jacob Lyons |
Program: Integrated Biosciences M.S. Advisor: Dr. Allen Mensinger Began: 2006 |
Neural Mechanisms of Behavior and Aquatic Physiology | |
Rachel MaKarrall |
Program: Biology M.S. Advisor: Began: 2005 |
Creating useful tools for learning insect anatomy and function |
I am developing a three-dimensional interactive computer-based module to aid undergraduate students in learning insect morphology and physiology. To most effectively facilitate learning, the module is being designed according to principles established in current educational psychology literature. It is intended it to supplement lab work with insect specimens. I grew up in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, attended Nicolet Technical College, and got my B.S. from UMD in 2000. In the years since, I traveled some, married my wonderful husband Trevor, and established a business as a freelance scientific illustrator. I am happy to return to Duluth and UMD for my graduate work. My foremost interests are illustration, entomology, and teaching, and I hope to continue pursuing those throughout my career. |
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Frank Maragi |
Program: Biology M.S. Advisor: Began: 2005 |
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Tim McAulay |
Program: Biology M.S. Advisor: Began: 2005 |
Local adaptation of Solidago altissima |
Tim grew up in St. Paul, MN and earned a B.A. in Biology from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona. |
Bethany Nelson |
Program: Biochem./Molecular Biol. Ph.D. Advisor: Dr. Matt Andrews Began: 2005 |
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Victoria Olson |
Program: Integrated Biosciences M.S. Advisor: Dr. Donn Branstrator Began: 2006 |
Community assembly in pit mine lakes |
I will be studying community assembly in pit mine lakes to better understand how aquatic food webs develop. I hope to work as a research biologist after graduation, focusing on aquatic ecology. I graduated from St. Cloud State University with a B.S. in ecology and field biology in 2004, then worked at the St. Paul MPCA for the summer (as an intern). Following that I worked at the Duluth EPA as a biologist student contractor from October 2004-August 2006. |
Matt Ostendorf |
Program: Integrated Biosciences M.S. Advisor: Dr. Kent Froberg Began: 2006 |
Atherogenic Effects of a Western Diet on TIE2/MCP-1 Transgenic Mice |
Atherosclerosis is a chronic fibro-inflammatory disease of the arterial wall initiated by endothelial injury. Upon achieving a desired phenotype, my study will focus on the effects of a high fat (Western diet) on TIE2/MCP-1 mice. I will find out if a Western diet will increase atherogenesis in the aortic intima in TIE2/MCP-1 transgenic compared to that of wild-type mice. After graduate school I hope to obtain a post-secondary teaching position while working toward my Ph.D. I have always liked human anatomy and would like the opportunity to teach that (or philosophy. . .my second choice!). This past February, I published a piece of work for the McNair Scholarly Review 2006 entitled "The Binding of Fatty Acids, Antioxidants, and Detergents to Human Serum Albumin." |
Diana Ostrowski |
Program: Integrated Biosciences M.S. Advisor: John Pastor Began: 2006 |
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I received my B.A. in Biology and Environmental Studies from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. I am in the Ecological, Organismal, and Populations emphasis of the Integrated Biosciences program. |
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Program: Biology Advisor: Dr. Patrick Schoff Began: 2003 |
Effects of atrazine and sedimentation on amphibians |
Originally from Houston, MN, Angela spent a year attending the University of Alaska Anchorage before transferring to Winona State University, where she received her B.S. degree in Biology with an ecology emphasis. Angela works under the advisement of Dr. Patrick Schoff at the Natural Resources Research Institute. Her research involves both field work, notably conducting wetland and amphibian research in the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States, and lab work, examining amphibian gonads for clues to environmental effects on these creatures. One day she hopes to be enjoy both year-round employment and frequent travel. |
Jeff Ruhlman |
Program: Integrated Biosciences M.S. Advisor: Dr. Clay Carter Began: 2006 |
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Kyle Snell |
Program: Integrated Biosciences M.S. Advisor: Dr. Julie Etterson Began: 2006 |
Levels of genetic communication on Solidago altissima |
I'm working on finding levels of genetic communication on Solidago altissma within and between populations and biomes. I earned my bachelor's degree in Biology at UMD in 2006 and hope to continue working in the science field after finishing my master's degree. |
Artur Stefanski |
Program: Integrated Biosciences M.S. Advisor: Dr. Tali Lee Began: 2006 |
The effects of reduced mycorrhizae and N availability on the physiology, growth and competitive interactions among seven grassland plant species |
This project is part of a large scale prairie restoration experiment that is designed to address hypotheses dealing with the multiple controls on community assembly and results of ecosystem processes. To test some of these processes, I designed two related but separate experiments. Experiment 1 is a field study within larger prairie restoration experiment which treats plots to varied planting history, fungicide and N treatments in complete factorial design. Within each plot, two 1x1 m subplots were also treated with an additional soil C source (beet sugar) to limit available plant N in the soil with the other subplot left as the control. Experiment 2 consists of microcosms (30cm in height and 10cm in diameter) planted to test intra- and inter–specific interactions among 7 grassland species from three different groups (legumes, forbs and grasses). The microcosms were treated to factorial combinations of sugar and fungicide treatments. The fungicide was designed to reduce the symbiotic relationship between fungi and roots (mycorrhizae) and sugar was added to the soil to activate microbes to uptake plant available N. The objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of inter- and intra-specific interactions among species and the role of mycorrhizae and N availability in the establishment of restored communities. I earned a master's degree in Forestry from the August Cieszkowski Agricultural University of Poznan in Poland. |
Marte Thabes |
Program: Biology M.S. Advisor: Dr. Donn Branstrator Began: 2004 |
Bythotrephes spine induction |
I have a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Biology. I currently work in a lab that focuses on Bythotrephes invasions, morphometry, and resting eggs. I will be studying Bythotrephes spine induction. My goals are to become a researcher in an academic setting, work for a federal agency, or become an independent consultant. |
Paul Williams |
Program: Integrated Biosciences M.S. Advisor: Dr. Ed Perkins Began: 2006 |
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I completed my undergraduate degrees (Cellular Biology and Psychology) at UMD in 2006. After obtaining my master's degree, I plan to pursue an M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. |
Last Updated
Friday, October 26, 2007 1:03 PM
