Baker's Former Laboratory Associates
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Adam Brown
Research Assistant
adam.d.brown@ttu.edu
M.S. Candidate, Biological Sciences,
Texas
Tech University
B.S., Animal Sciences, Texas Tech University, 2002
My
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.
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Steven R. Hoofer
Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Ph.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.
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Genevieve Kendall
HHMI Undergraduate Research Fellow
genevieve.c.kendall@ttu.edu
B.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.
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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
Research Assitant Ph.D.
student, Biological Sciences, Texas
Tech University
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.
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Sergio Solari
Research Assistant
Ph.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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