Baker's Former Laboratory Associates
Adam Brown
adam.d.brown@ttu.edu
Research AssistantM.S. , Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University
B.S., Animal Sciences, Texas Tech University, 2002My research focuses on profiling DNA repair and oxygen radical scavenging at the transcriptional level upon exposure to ionizing radiation. My study utilizes laboratory mice exposed to the radioactive environment surrounding the former Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. I am using quantitative real time-PCR to measure transcript copy number of certain rate limiting genes involved in Base Excision and Nucleotide Excision Repair and oxygen radical scavenging.
The primary objective of my research is to assess whether or not DNA repair and/or oxidative stress has a role in radiation hormesis (radio-adaptive response).
I am also involved in two other projects. One concerns the systematics and phylogeography of the Neotropical bat genus Dermanura. The second involves using DNA isolated form Turkey egg shell remains to evaluate primary sex ratios of wild Turkeys.
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.
Steven R. Hoofer
Post-Doctoral Research AssociatePh.D., Zoology, Oklahoma State University, 2003
M.S., Biology, Fort Hays State University, 1996
B.S., Biology, Fort Hays State University, 1994
My research interests center on evolutionary problems in mammalogy, including natural history, ecology, and evolution of mammalian populations. In most cases, the theme of my research is to apply molecules as genetic markers to better our understanding of the evolutionary histories of organisms and of the processes responsible for the variation we observe in nature today. A secondary theme is to examine molecular and evolutionary characteristics of the DNA molecules themselves.I am especially interested in studying mitochondrial DNA sequence variation surveyed alone or in combination with variation in microsatellite DNA, amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), or other nuclear genomic markers. Currently, I am using these techniques to address micro- and macro-evolutionary questions in murid rodents and phyllostomid and vespertilionid bats.
Genevieve Kendall
HHMI Undergraduate Research FellowB.S. Student, Cell & Molecular Biology, Texas Tech University
I am in the process of identifying Microtus from Ukraine based on DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, and analyses including data available from the international repository of sequence data (GenBank). Our results from phylogenetic analysis provide a novel assessment of Microtus phylogeography.
On August 13, 2006, Michelle Knapp, our dear colleague and friend passed away in an automobile accident. Though her studies here were cut tragically short, the impact she had on our lives will endure.
Information concerning memorial services and pictures of Michelle can be found at www.nsrl.ttu.edu/mknapp.html
Michelle Knapp
Ph.D. student, Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University
Research Assitant
B.A., Biology, Harvard University, 2004
My primary interests are in the molecular phylogenetics of mammals, particularly bats. Currently, I am investigating the phylogenetics of the Neotropical representatives of Myotis, a cosmopolitan genus of vespertilionid bats, using the cytochrome-b gene.
Heather Meeks
Research AssistantPh.D. candidate, 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. , 2009, 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.
Sergio Solari
Research AssistantPh.D., 2007, Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University,
Mg. Zoology – Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru (2002)
Biologist, major on Zoology – Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru (1997)
B.A. Biological Sciences – Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru (1992)My main interest is the systematics and taxonomy of Neotropical mammals. Most of my current research focuses on alpha-systematics of bats (Phyllostomidae) and opossum (Didelphidae). I use a morphological and morphometric approach to identify taxonomic units, that then can be tested as evolutionary lineages using molecular tools. I aim to understand the diversity of several genera in these groups, looking for common patterns in their distribution and origin.
My dissertation project is focused on the assessment of congruence between morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses of molecular data (DNA sequencing of mitochondrial and nuclear genes) to identify patterns of variation within and between species of the short-tailed opossums Monodelphis. Given its wide distribution in South America, I expect to get enough information to understand general patterns of diversification on that biotic region.
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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