Baker's Laboratory
Faisal Ali Bin Anwarali Khan
Graduate StudentAffiliated University : Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak.
faisal.anwarali@ttu.edu
akfali@frst.unimas.myM.S. student, Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University
B.S. Hons, Resource Biotechnology, University Malaysia SarawakFor my bachelor degree (2003-2004) I have worked on the project entitled of “Enhancing alpha-Amylase and Cellulase In vivo Enzyme Expressions on Sago Pith Residue Using Bacilllus amyloliquefaciens UMAS 1002” supervised by Dr. Awang Ahmad Sallehin. We basically tried to understand the microbe’s enzyme and protein activity by doing analysis using basic biochemical tests and also the shaker flask fermentation technique. I was also partly involved in isolating the cellulase gene which codes for cellulase enzyme in B. amyloliquefaciens UMAS1002.
For my masters degree at TexasTech University, I will be studying primarily the genetic diversification patterns of Malaysian bats under the supervision of Dr. Robert J Baker and Dr. Don Wilson. I hope that I will be also able to understand the model and tempo of evolution between Borneon and Peninsular Malaysian bats. I hope at the end of this study I will able to answer the questions on geographical distribution of evolutionary lineages, phylogeography in the Malaysian micro and megabats, as well as to use molecular marker in order to clarify its population structure and evolutionary history. This will be an important aspect to devise adequate conservation and management strategies, which incorporate a reliable understanding of its population structure and history and a characterization of the distribution of its genetic diversity (Avise 1989, O’Brien 1994).
Robert Bull
Undergrate AssistantB.S. Student, Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University
I am currently an undergraduate working on a biochemistry bachelor in studies major. So far I have been exploring as many areas of science to see which one intrigues me the most. I am currently working with Adam Brown and aiding his research project on the bat genus Dermanura.
Peter Larsen
Research AssistantPh.D. student., Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University
M.S., Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University
B.S., South Dakota State University, South Dakota 2002I am particularly interested in the systematics and biogeography of Neotropical mammals. My main area of research consists of using molecular techniques (i.e. DNA sequencing, microsatellites, and AFLP) to asses species limits and species distributions of Phyllostomid bats throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
I am focusing on the systematics and phylogeography of the genus Artibeus for my Masters research.
Roxy Larsen
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Human Anatomy LabPh.D. student., Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University
M.S., South Dakota State University, South Dakota, 2007
B.S., South Dakota State University, South Dakota, 2005For my master’s research at South Dakota State University, I studied the species of bats captured, the interactions of bats with a mist net, and sampling effort on the island of Montserrat in the northern Lesser Antilles. I decided to continue research in the Caribbean, hence the transition into molecular biology and Texas Tech University.
For my Ph.D., I am interested in studying the biogeography of Caribbean bats. I am currently researching the biogeography of the southern Lesser Antilles bat species. My main focus will be the phylogeography and diversification of Pteronotus species from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
Hugo Mantilla-Meluk
hugo.mantilla@ttu.edu
Research AssistantPh.D. student, Systematics and Evolution, Texas Tech University
B. S., Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Visiting Scholar Duke University
Associate Researcher Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacionalde Colombia.My research is focused on modeling the phylogeographic and evolutionary patterns of Neotropical mammalian species through the search of general patterns and principles. My work includes the integration of ecological and evolutionary novel ideas through data synthesis and cutting edge analytical approaches (e.g, computation, modeling, data management) such as the implementation of Geographic Information Systems to perform molecular systematic analyses in order to elucidate modes of mammalian speciation. I am especially interested in those groups of bats and primates that exhibit wide ranges of distribution in the Neotropics. I am also in charge of the cooperative programs between Texas Tech University and Colombian Institutions. These programs have as a main goal to document and model biodiversity patterns of Colombian mammalian species.
M. Raquel Marchán R.
Curatorial Assistant, Mammal Collection, NSRL, Museum of Texas Tech University
Dermested Technician, Mammal Collection, NSRL, Museum of Texas Tech UniversityM.A. candidate, Department of Biology, Texas Tech University
B. S., Biology, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, 2006.
Associate Researcher Pontificia Universidad Católica del EcuadorMy thesis project is focused on analyzing the cranial morphometrics of the Caribbean populations of three taxa of Artibeus. Using phenotypic data the morphological variability will be evaluated to provide an interpretation and understanding of the basis for delineation of species limits as compared with the molecular information. Alternatively, the continental populations of A. lituratus in Central America will be analyzed to obtain insights into the subtle morphological differences between these species. My study focuses on morphological differentiation within and among populations of these neotropical bats, using a size-adjusted multivariate statistical approach, and a qualitative characters analysis. In addition, the software for niche modeling and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) will be selected to predict geographic distribution of species such as Artibeus lituratus in Central America. This information will be used to test the hypothesis that the differences in size between the two subspecies of lituratus in Central America is a response of geographic variation influenced by environmental factors.
On the other hand, I have a research assistantship at the Museum where my research involves the curation, data management and organization of the mammal collection at the NSRL.
Heather Meeks
Research AssistantPh.D. student, Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University
B.S., Biology, Texas Tech University, 2002My Ph.D. work has a dual focus, although the overarching theme is the evaluation of biological effects associated with radiation exposure. One part of my dissertation work involves the study of native bank voles from Chernobyl, Ukraine. Specifically, I am employing a variety of molecular markers (including both mitochondrial and nuclear markers) to examine populations residing in radioactively contaminated and reference regions of Ukraine, for the purpose of determining the genetic consequences that may have resulted from multigenerational exposure to chronic, low-dose radiation. This work is part of a long-term project in Chernobyl spearheaded by Drs. Baker and Chesser at Texas Tech University. The other major facet of my research is a laboratory study, for which I established a colony of inbred laboratory mice using the highly radiosensitive BALB/c strain. Males were acutely irradiated with γ-radiation and then bred with unirradiated females, so that any mutations to the germline would be fixed in the somatic cells of resultant offspring. The colony was subsequently bred through two more generations. I am evaluating changes in the number and patterns of AFLPs (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms) in each generation to determine whether (1) genetic changes in the offspring associated with paternal radiation exposure are detectable using the AFLP method; (2) there is evidence of multigenerational genomic instability, and (3) changes in AFLP patterns reflect the differences, detected in the first two generations of breeding, in male and female reproductive indices.
C. Miguel Pinto
Research AssistantPh.D. student, Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University
B.Sc., Biology, Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador, 2005
I am attracted to a broad array of fields in the study of mammals varying from the study of associated parasites and diseases to their morphological variation. My ongoing research project involves the morphological differentiation of some cryptic species of New World bats (Phyllostomidae, Vespertillionidae). Toward this end, I am looking at unique (discrete) characters in the skulls, and comparing cranial measurements using statistical tests (multivariate analyses) to separate different groups of individuals which may represent valid species and not just geographical races.
Vicki J. Swier
Research AssistantPh.D. Candidate, Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University
M.S., Biology, South Dakota State University
B.S., Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, South Dakota State UniversityFor my master research, I studied the distribution, roost site selection and food habits of bats in eastern South Dakota. This research was used in the creation of the South Dakota bat management plan.
At Tech, I am studying the role of repetitive elements such as LINEs and other newly isolated retrotransposons in the mammalian genome, particularly in Oryzomine rodents where LINEs may be extinct. I am also studying the genome organization of Phyllostomid bats by cross species genomic in situ hybridization in conjunction with fluorescent G-banding. I am interested in experimenting with fluorescent G-banding in other mammalian species and spectral karyotyping with paint probes to Phyllostomid species.
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