Baker's Former Laboratory Associates
Adam Brown
adam.d.brown@ttu.edu
Research AssistantM.S. Candidate, 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.
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.
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.
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