LMSE Student Research
The Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Ecology (LMSE) support student research in the following ways:
- LMSE researchers participate in the Academy’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program by mentoring students interested in molecular systematics and ecology. (See REU examples below.)
- The Botany Department’s Flora of Pennsylvania Post-Baccalaureate interns have access to the LMSE to incorporate molecular data into their research projects. (See Flora of Pennsylvania examples below.)
- Undergraduate and graduate students from nearby colleges and universities may access the LMSE facilities to conduct their own molecular research projects.
LMSE & REU
2007
- Botany
- Molecular Investigation of Swartzia: a phylogeographic alanysis of a possoid clade.
Student: Claire Addis
Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Torke
2006
- Malacology
- Experiments in Difficult DNA Extraction: The Creation of a Protocol to Extract DNA from Mollusk Shells.
Student: Patrick Videau
Mentor: Anthony Geneva - Molecular Ecology
- Population Genetics of a Local Disease Vector, Culex restuans, Reveals Large Populations Sizes and Flaws in an Established Species Identification Test.
Student: Robert Henry
Mentor: Dr. Dina Fonseca
2005
- Molecular Ecology
- Microsatellite loci for Culex restuans, potential vector of West Nile virus.
Student: Tarannum Jaleel
Mentor: Dr. Dina Fonseca
2003
- Herpetology
- Determining the Origin and Evolution of Unisexual Clonal Triploid Mole Salamanders genus Ambystoma.
Student: Molly Letsch
Mentors: Dr. Chris Spolsky and Dr. Thomas Uzzell - Ichthyology
- DNA Analysis of Chimaeras and other Chondrichthyan Fishes.
Student: Amber Peterson
Mentors: Dr. Dominique D. Dagit and Dr. Chris Spolsky
2002
- Herpetology
- The Mitochondrial DNA of Bombina bombina.
Student: Ellen Blood
Mentors: Dr. Chris Spolsky and Dr. Thomas Uzzell - Molecular Ecology
- Hybrid mosquitoes and microsatellite evolution.
Student: Mikha Faybyshev
Mentor: Dr. Dina Fonseca - Ornithology
- Phylogeny of the Australian Artamus Woodswallows.
Student: Holly Arthur
Mentor: Dr. Leo Joseph
2001
- Botany
- Molecular Evolution of Primitive Plants.
Student: Sarah Gertler
Mentor: Dr. Rick McCourt - Ichthyology
- Systematics of the Chimaeroid Fishes - Are the Three species of Callorhinchus Valid?
Students: Bryan Marquardt and Mavis Irwin
Mentor: Dr. Dominique D. Dagit
2000
- Botany
- Molecular Evolution of Primitive Plants.
Student: John Lee
Mentor: Dr. Rick McCourt - Herpetology
- Evolution of Clonal Salamanders.
Student: Alana Doty
Mentor: Dr. Chris Spolsky - Molecular Evolution of Clonal Salamanders.
Student: Beth Williams
Mentor: Dr. Chris Spolsky - Ornithology
- Evolution and Ecology of South American Migratory Birds.
Student: Mary Boyett
Mentor: Dr. Leo Joseph
1999
Student: David Hewitt
Mentor: Dr. Rick McCourt
LMSE & Flora of Pennsylvania
- 2005-2006
- Myriophyllum heterophyllum: Endangered Species or Invasive Weed?
Intern: Amanda Treher - 2002-2003
- The Current Status of Ruellis in Penssylvania and Eastern North America: A Natural History, Allozyme and Morphometric Study
Intern: Erin Tripp