Undergraduate Research Grants Awarded

Nia seeks to determine whether Trichomonas gallinae, a protozoan parasite that affects birds, is native or introduced to North America. She will use genetic sequencing and modeling software to determine a time-calibrated phylogeny of T. gallinae strains in North America. These findings could inform future research on host-parasite dynamics and the historical role of disease and invasive species as drivers of global change.

Shanni’s project uses a series of tests to determine how temperature, humidity, sex, and developmental stages impact the thermal preference and thermal tolerance of Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Trypanosoma cruzi responsible for Chagas disease. Understanding how temperature affects R. prolixus’ behavior and physiology will benefit the prediction of microhabitat selections and potential control strategies of this species.

This project aims to determine how dredging alters dissolved oxygen (DO) dynamics in Virginia Tech’s Duck Pond and assesses downstream implications. Alejandra will also generate time-series plots and summary statistics of DO to characterize changes with dredging. The results of this project could have implications for future stormwater management plans and water resource practices that span beyond VT’s campus.

Emily’s project investigates the eco-epidemiology of Dirofilaria (heartworm) species to examine for evidence of enzootic persistence in wildlife and infection in mosquitoes of western Virginia, pinpointing candidate vector species. She expects to uncover evidence of Dirofilaria spp. in VA, the potential role of wildlife species, and the entomological risk from local mosquito species.

Ezra and Amiel will use stable isotope analysis of feathers and DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples to characterize the diet of Bridled and Golden White-eyes from different islands in the Marianas. While the two species utilize separate microhabitats, they may still have significant ecological overlap, including diet. Understanding their interspecific interactions is important for informing the reintroduction of extirpated bird species throughout these islands.

Michael will generate a sulfur isotope record from a bat guano core previously retrieved and studied. His goal is to contextualize diagenetic processes; the data generated will help scientists understand the independent microbial processes occurring within the core. This information can be combined with data previously collected from this core to create a more complete picture of both past environments and the integrity of the guano record.

Using salamanders, Natalie’s study explores intraspecific differences in locomotive performance of males and females at different temperatures. She will conduct standardized trials using a mechanized treadmill; water loss will be measured as a cost of activity. The result will be biomechanical data regarding the effect of temperature change on mobility, and whether there are differences between groups in a population.

Keegan will mix three types of organic matter (OM): sawdust, chopped straw, and hemp hurd at rates of 1%, 2%, and 4% dry weight basis and place it on streambanks. Control soil samples without OM additions will also be prepared and placed on streambanks. Soil erosion rates will be measured in a research flume after 1, 2, 6, and 8 weeks. The data will be analyzed using a 2-way repeated measures ANOVA.

Nisha will collect one soil core from the habitat of the Iliamna corei, an endangered plant. Three soil samples at different depths will be taken from this core. The samples will be sent to the National Ocean Sciences Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Lab for radiocarbon dating. At the centimeter scale within the core, she will measure carbon isotope values of soil organic matter. These findings will help site management planning for this plant.

Nathaniel’s research will produce the first reference DNA barcodes for Mariana fig wasps, directly supporting future ecological research and conservation efforts. His project integrates DNA barcoding with long-read Nanopore MinION sequencing to generate high-resolution whole genome data, allowing for whole genome sequences to be identified, even for cryptic or closely related fig wasps.

Cecilia’s project studies how messages using moral and risk framing to describe invasive plants shape consumers’ attitudes and purchasing behavior. She will design signage with four different frames (moral care, moral loyalty, risk, and benefit) and conduct a short survey that measures consumers’ attitudes and purchasing behavior. Results from this research will help guide future sign development and serve as pilot data for future works.

Human clinical poison ivy dermatitis is caused by the chemical urushiol. Incidents peak in June and July, then decrease from August until the end of the growing season in October. Alia will evaluate whether this trajectory of poison ivy clinical dermatitis mirrors corresponding changes in poison ivy urushiol levels in the plant by testing various poison ivy tissues (leaves, drupes, buds, and flowers) collected between May and November.

Michelle’s research will involve various inoculation techniques to wound the callus tissue of poison ivy for Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation and regeneration of hairy root cultures. She'll also employ the use of several different strains of A. rhizogenes to initiate hairy root formation. These combination treatments will optimize the efficiency of generating transgenic hairy root cultures suitable for functional genomic studies.