I have recently graduated from Chico State with a B.S in Microbiology and a minor in Chemistry. I have since started to work towards my masters.
My research is focused on Boiling Springs Lake, in Lassen Volcanic National Park. I am working under a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in cooperation with
Portland State University and Humboldt State . You can visit the BSL flickr page Here
My research interests include protist grazing activity in and around the lake, characterization of the community food web, and origin of protists in the lake, be it from surrounding soils, or novel organisms unique to the environment.
I will be utilizing molecular fingerprinting techniques such DGGE, and construct clone libraries from samples taken in transects from the lake to the forest to analyze the genetic diversity.
Using culturing techniques I will evaluate community structure microscopically and asses preferential food choices of eukaryotic grazers of the community.
Using a temperature and pH gradient system I plan to evaluate the specific limiting factors of isolated organisms in order to predict the temporal activity associated with their grazing.
