Graduate Students:

Heidi Pagan (PhD)

My research is focused on the transposon activity in a genus of bats, specifically Myotis lucifugus whose genome is currently being sequenced. Certain elements long thought to be inactive in mammalian lineages have been found to still be transposing in this genome. As our knowledge about the nature of mobile elements has increased, their possible contributions to genetic diversity have become of interest after their initial reputation as only a genomic parasite. This is of particular note in the genus Myotis due to its great number of species and vast range in habitats. Through the use of transposons in phylogenetic analysis, I intend to find any correlations between mobile element activity and species diversity.

Jeremy Smith (PhD)

I was born and in South Charleston, West Virginia. Iattended Salem International University where I received my bachelor’s in Molecular Biology. While there he studied immunology and Borna disease cirus, and contributed to my first publication. My primary interests include genomics, immunology, herpetology, bioinformatic modeling, and mobile elements within the genome. My current research is on mobile elements within the Myotis and Anolis carolinensis genomes. Specifically, characterizing the mobile element landscape of the genome, and using this information to determine how these elements relate to speciation and diversification.

Michelle Thompson (MS)

After receiving a B.S. in Biology from The University of Pittsburgh I came to this lab to work toward my M.S. in Biology. My research is focused on characterizing molecular markers to identify forensically important blowfly species, especially Lucilia sericata. Currently the PMI (post mortem index) is estimated by examining the stages of morphological change in the blowflies. There are species that appear identical to the naked eye but display different growth rates and habitat preferences. Therefore it is vitally important that the investigator correctly identifies the species. My research of these molecular markers will lay the groundwork of an identification kit comprised of primers specific to mobile element placement that identifies a specific species.

Undergraduates:

Lauren Dembeck (A WVU Ronald E. McNair Scholar). Lauren recently moved on and is now a PhD student at NC State.

Adrienne Gauna (Also with the McNair program)

Other positions are available! Come to scenic Morgantown and get involved! Contact me for more information.