AVAILABLE RESEARCH POSITIONS

Other available research positions coming soon! (This message posted 10/11/06)

** NOTE: For most of these listings, previous experience in that type of project is not necessary. The faculty mentor will teach you what you need to know to complete the projects. What you will need is enthusiasm, motivation, willingness to learn, and independence.

Project 1. The aim of this project is to examine the reproductive morphology of the Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans) in South Carolina. This study will involve collecting several adult female black widows and examining their reproductive organs. In this project the student will learn field collection techniques, animal handling, thin tissue sectioning for histology, histochemical staining, light microscopy, and morphology of spider reproductive structures.

Project 2. The goal of this project is to install and monitor sampling structures (such as drift fences, pitfall traps, and coverboards) to capture amphibians and reptiles in a terrestrial habitat. The animals will be identified and released unharmed. The species diversity and population sizes of the animals will be estimated using these techniques. This is a long-term, ongoing study that will last 5 years, so new undergraduate researchers are needed every semester.

Project 3. The aim of this project is to determine if exposure to agricultural contaminants (nitrate) affects reproductive morphology in adult bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana). In this project the student will learn thin tissue sectioning for histology, histochemical staining, light microscopy, some data analysis, and frog reproductive structures.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeff Camper
Research Topics: Snake ecology; amphibian and reptile surveys.
Contact: Email me. Office Phone: 661-1418.
Project Ideas:

Project 1. There are two main foci to my research program which are snake ecology and documenting the amphibians and reptiles of South Carolina. The emphasis of the herpetofaunal survey work is on publicly owned natural areas and the counties of the northern costal plain. Survey work includes installing drift fence and coverboard arrays. We also use aquatic and terrestrial funnel traps and hoop net traps to sample amphibians and reptiles. I have been working on snake ecology at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center (PDREC) since 1998. I began using radio-telemetry to study red-bellied water snakes in 2001. Currently I am studying banded water snakes and eastern kingsnakes using radiotelemetry.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Larry McCumber
Research Topics: Recognition of non-self in the crayfish.
Contact: Email me. Office Phone: 661-1401.
Project Ideas:

Project 1. This research on the crayfish attempts to define the organs,cells and molecules involved in the recognition of non-self. Results to date indicate that the gills are the major organ of recognition and clearance of foreign bacteria, viruses, proteins, red blood cells and latex beads. Current studies are using cryostat microtome sectioning and fluorescent latex beads to define the role of the fixed podocytes of the gills versus the circulating hemocytes of the hemolymph. A novel approach we call "crayfish chromatography" has allowed us to begin to delineate the roles of different cellular and molecular resistance factors in the recognition of non-self. Students will be taught the techniques they need during the project so no prior experience with specific techniques is required, just a sharp mind and an intense desire to learn.

Project 1. We will examine the gastrointestinal microbiology of tadpoles and other herbivorous animals. I have shown in previous research that tadpoles rely upon microbes living in their gut to digest their food. In this project, the student(s) will learn bacterial plating, culture, identification, and enumeration techniques; staining procedures; light microscopy; and methods for testing various enzymatic activities of bacterial colonies isolated from tadpole guts.

Project 2. The goal of this project is to install and monitor sampling structures (such as drift fences, pitfall traps, and coverboards) to capture amphibians and reptiles in a terrestrial habitat. The animals will be identified and released unharmed. The species diversity and population sizes of the animals will be estimated using these techniques. This is a long-term, ongoing study that will last 5 years, so new undergraduate researchers are needed every semester.

Project 3. I have just started a biofuels research program involving fermentation, distillation, and dehydration of fuel ethanol from various agricultural substrates. In addition, I will soon start a biogas-generating experiment that uses anaerobic methanogenic bacteria to produce methane from animal wastes. Students working on this research project should have a strong background in chemistry and microbiology.

I will also consider mentoring students on other microbiologial projects of their own choosing and development.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Rae
Research Topics: Aquatic ecology; Reproductive biology; Environmental monitoring.
Contact: Email me. Office Phone: 661-1410. Web page: http://swampfox.fmarion.edu/web/biol/jgrae/index.html
Project Ideas:

Project 1. Colonization of sediments in a stream by aquatic invertebrates. Clean sediments can be introduced into a stream (or lake) to see which species will settle on them.

Project 2. Colonization of leaf packs in a stream by aquatic invertebrates. Packs of leaves from trees of different species can be placed in mesh bags to see which species will settle on them.

Project 3. Gametogenesis in the non-native bivalve, the Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea). This clam species presents a large ecological problem locally and across the nation. Clams will be collected and preserved. Then permanent microscope slides will be made of their tissues to determine the buildup of gametes in the gonads and the sex ratios.

Project 4. Population dynamics of the Asiatic clam. Different streams could be sampled to see if they are present and if so, how many clams there are, and what sizes they are.

Project 5. Monitor water quality in Woods Bay Natural Area. The manager of Woods Bay is concerned about chemicals seeping into this unique environment and possibly negatively affecting the bay. Enumerating the aquatic invertebrates is another project possibility.

Compiled by Greg Pryor, 2006. If you have comments, corrections, or suggestions, please contact me.