Department of Biology Faculty Research Interests


 

Brian P. Bergstrom I study neurochemical changes in synaptic function of dopamine neurons in response to neurodegenerative disease (Parkinson's Disease), drugs of abuse, and pharmacological regulation. Bergstrom Student Research
 
James L Dooley, Jr. I am broadly interested in the effects of habitat alteration on the biodiversity, demography and persistence of animal and plant populations. In that vein, many of my students have done surveys of plants and animals (particularly butterflies, amphibians, mammals and reptiles) across a variety of habitats at the Wilds as well as at other “reference” locations.   In addition to basic surveys, I am also interested in more in-depth assessments of population demography, habitat association, community ecology and autecology (particularly in the context of relationships of organisms with the physical environment).  I am also very open to working with students that want to conduct projects away from this area (perhaps near home or as a part of a summer REU experience.   Please check out the following link in order to see titles from student research projects I have worked with over the last few years: Recent Student Research Projects. Recent Student Research Projects.
Danny J. Ingold My research interests focus on the ecology and natural history of grassland birds, as well as cavity-nesting birds.  On a broader scale, I am willing to supervise students interested in natural history, oriented studies on vertebrates as well as invertebrates. Ingold research   

Oluwatoyin Osunsanya My research interests are in any area of applied microbiology and molecular biology.  However,  I am interested in microbiology (namely identification) and molecular approaches to determine the diversity of bacteria in certain habitats (such as reclaimed mining sites).  I am also interested in comparing the genetic profiles of the opportunistic bacteria, Flavimonas oryzihabitans and Chryseomonas luteus.

Amy Santas My research focuses on the events that occur in response to a cut or a wound.  Current projects involve a group of proteins (DgC) that disappear after a wound occurs.  Projects include identifying the molecular components of this groups of proteins, developing new tools (antibodies) to use to study these proteins, and studying wounding in a controlled environment of tissue culture (cells grown in plastic dishes).