Graduate Template

Amy Abdulovic-Cui

My research investigates genome stability and DNA repair mechanisms using the yeast model systems of Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisae.

Keywords | DNA Repair, DNA Replication, Mutatgenesis

Jennifer Baltzegar

The Baltzegar Lab investigates the rapid evolution of insect disease vectors in response to human-driven environmental changes. Using population genomics, the lab examines how mosquitoes and cockroaches adapt to pressures such as insecticide use and urbanization, with a focus on uncovering the genetic mechanisms behind these changes. This research aims to inform more effective vector control strategies and ultimately improve public health.

Keywords | Vector Biology, Population Genomics, Rapid Evolution

Stacy Bennetts

Keywords | Satilla Science,Serpentine Soil, Metal Tolerance Plants

Jennifer Bradford

The Bradford lab investigates the role of NF-kappaB signaling in the tumor microenvironment, with an emphasis on tumor associated macrophages. We also investigate more basic innate immune system questions involving NF-kappaB in macrophages.

Keywords | Cancer, Tumor Microenvironment, NF-kappaB

Julie Butler

The Butler lab investigates the sensory and neural control of juvenile social behaviors using poison dart frogs and their tadpoles. We use integrative approaches to understand how tadpoles make complex social decisions about their parents, how parent-offspring interactions shape brain and sensory development, and how early-life factors (both social and environmental) influence life-long changes in behavior.

Keywords | Neuroscience, Hormones, Behavior

Jennifer Cannon

The Cannon Lab has a broad focus on endocrine and reproductive physiology. Student led projects include research on endocrine disruptors and citrus-derived breast cancer inhibitors.

Keywords | Endocrinology, Reproductive Physiology, Breast Cancer

Robert Cromer

The Cromer Field Crew investigates avian communication, particularly how traffic noise impacts inter/intraspecific vocaliztions. We also evaluate ecological health of amphibians and reptiles in respect to toxicology and habitat loss. Additionally, we work with invasive plant species removal and restoration of native plant species..

Keywords | Ecology, Ornithology, Herpetology

Evan Goldstein

The current focus in the lab is to identify how environmental stimuli direct cell and molecular changes in the brain. Using a mouse model of diffuse white matter injury or postmortem preterm infant brain samples, we are investigating the role of histone modifications in white matter injury. Our studies will inform the quest to develop improved therapeutic options for babies born preterm.

Keywords | Myelin, Developmental Brain Injury, Epigenetics

Jessica Hoffman

Keywords | Aging, Comparative Biology, Evolutionary Medicine

Paul Langridge

We study how cells communicate with one another, specifically a form of communication involving a cell surface receptor called Notch that is activated by a signal tethered to the surface of a neighboring cell. This physical link between cells has fascinating mechanical properties and we are investigating these to develop our own synthetic cell-cell communication pathways that may one day be used in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The approach uses cutting edge Drosophila genetics combined with molecular biology techniques, fluorescent confocal microscopy, and computational modeling.

Keywords | Synthetic Biology, Intercellular Communication, Mechanotransduction

Stephen Tymanskykj

Keywords | Cytoskeleton, Intracellular Transport, Neuronal Development

Nilanjana Chatterjee

My research team currently explores the role of microorganisms in bioremediation, with a focus on how microbial adaptation strategy to the pollutants can alleviate environmental pollution.

Keywords | Microbiology, Biotechnology, Molecular Genetics

Jeremy Goodin

My research focuses on the use of microorganisms for bioremediation and environmental restoration. I am particularly interested in how microbial communities adapt to pollutants and how these adaptations can be harnessed to mitigate contamination. This work combines molecular biology, microbiology, and biotechnology to develop innovative strategies for pollution control and ecosystem health.

Keywords | Biotechnology, Bioremediation, Microbiology

Zachary Hancock

The Hancock lab takes an integrative approach to understand the evolutionary dynamics of marine life, combining field-work, population genetics, and statistical modelling. A major focus of the lab is how dispersal (the movement of organisms away from where they are born) evolves in the ocean, and how it can shape patterns of ancestry across space.

Keywords | Evolution, Marine, Crustaceans

Georgios Kallifatidis

Virtual research utilizing the open-access cancer research resource Cancer BioPortal (cBioPortal) for analysis of cancer genomics data. The student will identify genes that are differentially expressed in normal versus tumor tissue, noninvasive versus invasive cancer, or chemotherapy-sensitive versus chemotherapy-resistant tumors.

Keywords | Cell Biology, Genomic Data, Cancer

Soma Mukhopadhyay

My team works on two areas - Creating Infographics Using Universal Design (UDL) for Transformation of Lesson Plan for Student Success and Implementation of the Study of Gene Expression and Molecular Evolution to Better Understand Human Body and Physiology.

Keywords | Art & Anatomy, Pedagogy, Color Compromised Vision

Michael Murray

"My recent, ongoing, and emerging research with multiple partners cuts across several areas involving anthropogenic drivers and impacts to human health and the environment, including: Approaches to managing nutrients to reduce harmful algal blooms and other manifestations of eutrophication in water bodies; Investigating the biogeochemical cycling of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including movement from sediment to water, exposure implications for aquatic life, wildlife, and humans, and management approaches; Better understanding the presence of microplastics in the environment and innovative approaches to assessing human exposures; Investigating approaches to incorporate environmental health concepts into the medical school curriculum"

Keywords | Toxic Chemical Cycling, Exposure Assessment, Environmental Health

Randy Singer

The Singer Lab explores ecology and evolutionary processes using modern field-work in combination with historical data from large, long term datasets to explore multidisciplinary research questions about fishes and aquatic ecosystems. Specifically, we use aggregated data from natural history collections along with targeted sampling efforts to explore, document and preserve specimens and data for use in research and outreach. A product of this research program is founding, contributing to and curating the Augusta University Specimen Biorepository (AUSB) wherein we catalog and then share data from all of our biological specimens with researchers and policymakers at AU and internationally.

Keywords | Aquatic Ecology, Fishes, Bioinformatics

Faith Wiley

The Wiley lab investigates the effects of environmental pollutants on ecosystem health and individual organisms, primarily using invertebrate models.

Keywords | Toxicology, Ecology, Physiology

Christina Wilson

Research in the Wilson lab includes using C. elegans (a microscopic nematode) as a multicellular model to study the effects of toxins and drugs on the nervous system. Additionally, the lab is involved in pedagogical research including medical illustration projects for Anatomy and Physiology.

Keywords | Neurobiology, C. Elegans, Toxicology

Rachel Iannotti

Keywords | Cardiometabolics, CFU Assay, Lipid Handling

Megan Berry

Working lands is a collaborative partnership between private or public landowners, scientists, the community and many other partners to conserve natural resources, promote biodiversity and create quality wildlife habitats while simultaneously promoting productive agriculture, industries,and forestry. Our research explores all applicable approaches and methods to create "win-win" situations for both the landowners and environmental advocates.

Keywords | Working Lands, Conservation, Sustainable Agriculture