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ADVISOR & INTERESTS |
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Ariel Alonso
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Ph.D. Program
Advisor: Dr. Kelly Boyle
Research: My research involves determining the effects of acoustic disturbance on the auditory system of Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus). My project focuses on regenerating sensory hairs in the Atlantic Croaker ear to determine if this species can recover hearing after exposure to continuous loud noise.
Email: analonso@uno.edu
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Emily Bowers
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M.S. Program
Advisor: Dr. Nicola Anthony
Research: My research is focused on the molecular ecology of a small population of lowland tapir in Paraguay.
Email: ebowers@uno.edu
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Lydia Victoria Dipaola
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M.S. Program
Advisor: Dr. Nicola Anthony
Research: Assessment of Lake Salvador shoreline dynamics to support restoration of submerged aquatic vegetation in Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Louisiana.
Email: lvdipaol@my.uno.edu
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Jacy Haynes
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Ph.D. Program
Advisor: Dr. Joel Atallah
Research: Genome sequencing and annotation of Hawaiian Drosophila and Scaptomyza flies with an emphasis on the discovery of novel genes.
Email: jahayne1@uno.edu
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Amanda Kirkland
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Ph.D. Program
Advisor: Dr. Erin Cox
Research: My research examines the effects of warming and acidification on artificial reef ecosystems.
Email: amkirkla@uno.edu
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Emily Maureen Leonard
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M.S. Program
Advisor: Dr. Erin Cox
Research: The improvement of Florida seagrass restoration using genetic variation to enhance resilience and productivity under environmental stressors.
Email: eleonar1@uno.edu
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Xindi Liu
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Ph.D. Program
Advisor: Dr. Wendy Schluchter
Research: My research focuses on characterizing the lyase/lyase isomerase enzyme that is involved in the type IV chromatic acclimation (CA4) process in cyanobacteria Synechococcus. Synechococcus species are abundant in ocean environments and contribute to the oxygenation of the earth's atmosphere. Exploring the function of these enzymes helps us better understand how Synechococcus adapt to changing light environments.
Email: xliu11@uno.edu
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Emily Mailhos
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M.S. Program
Advisor: Dr. Rachel Clostio
Research: I am assessing the reproductive ecology of the federally endangered gopher tortoise in Louisiana. I am studying important life history traits such as mating, nesting, and predation. My goal is to help better conserve and protect gopher tortoises in the state.
Email: ermailho@my.uno.edu
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Awdrea Lysiane Ibinga Manga
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M.S. Program
Advisor: Dr. Nicola Anthony
Research: Determination of the diet of forest arteriodactyls in Lope National Park (duikers in Central Africa forest) by metabarcoding methods.
Email: aibingam@uno.edu
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Taylor Murphy
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Ph.D. Program
Advisor: Dr. Bernard Rees
Research: My research looks at the expression patterns and function of the hypoxia-inducible factor gene family in ray-finned fishes and the effect of aquatic hypoxia on tissue-specific gene expression levels in Fundulus grandis.
Email: temurphy@uno.edu
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Bennett Price
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Ph.D. Program
Advisor: Dr. Kelly Boyle
Research: As a member of the Fish Morphology and Behavior Lab (https://www.fishmorphandbehavior.org), I investigate impacts of vessel noise on sciaenid fishes in the northern Gulf of Mexico. With field recordings I observe calling behavior of Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) spawning aggregations alongside vessel noise. My in-lab research is focused on hearing threshold shifts and hair cell damage post noise exposure in Silver Perch (Bairdiella chrysoura). I also research how calling in Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) is altered while vessel noise is played to fish in the laboratory. My goal is to better understand how animal behavior may be altered by noise pollution and better inform how we may protect our local fisheries.
Email: bprice2@my.uno.edu
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Adam Quade
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Ph.D. Program
Advisor: Dr. Kelly Boyle (UNO) & Rieucau (LUMCON)
Research: My research focuses on understanding and improving floodplain management. I aim to assess spatiotemporal changes in abundance, biomass, size class distribution, and behavior of native Louisiana floodplain associated fishes utilizing advanced observational techniques such as acoustic resolution imaging sonar technology. I am also interested in how variations in abiotic and biotic factors of the floodplain influence the schooling dynamics of social fishes. Finally, I am attempting to establish underwater passive acoustic monitoring as an efficient and effective means of assessing floodplain ecosystem health.
Email: ahquade@uno.edu or aquade@lumcon.edu
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Blaine Savoie
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M.S. Program
Advisor: Dr. Erin Cox
Research: Trace elements and otolith microchemistry of fishes from shallow-water artificial reefs.
Email: besavoie@my.uno.edu
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Mahaut Sorlin
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Ph.D. Program
Advisor: Dr. Simon Lailvaux
Research: My project focuses on the evolution of cognition by using comparative cognition. Concretely, I am trying to see if patterns that exist in mammals and birds are also present in reptiles.
Email: mvsorlin@uno.edu
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Ashley Leighanne Sparks
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Ph.D. Program
Advisor: Dr. Simon Lailvaux
Research: I am interested in the evolution of sleep in reptiles, particularly anoles. I am exploring how sleep behaviors and related morphological and neurological traits have evolved, combining fieldwork and lab-based studies.
Email: alsparks@uno.edu
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Vidyaman Thapa
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Ph.D. Program
Advisor: Dr. Nicola Anthony
Research: Conservation biology, conservation genetics and community-based conservation projects.
Email: vthapa@uno.edu
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