BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______

Welcome to BIONEWS We hope you will find this newsletter informative. If you have any questions or

comments on its contents, please direct Welcome them to me ([email protected]). Thank to the 3rd you for your interest and support of biology edition of at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Bionews,

the annual Sincerely, newsletter of the biology department

of University of Louisiana at Lafayette. This Paul Leberg is our attempt to help alumni and friends of Professor and Head the department stay informed about the activities of our faculty and students. Reviewing our newsletter, you will see this has been an outstanding year for Faculty Spotlights: the department. We had 92 undergraduates receive biology degrees! It Biology research project on is exciting to see these recent graduates landing jobs and attending medical, International space station professional, and graduate schools. The faculty and graduate students continue their (this story is modified from one originally high levels of research productivity. Some prepared by Charlie Bier, liftoff photo from of the news stories we have reprinted NASA) describe faculty research occurring from the ocean depths to outer space. Dr. Karl Hasenstein is leading an This was also a year of much experiment that took place inside the needed physical plant improvements for our International Space Station. The biology buildings. Among these were a new roof professor is exploring ways plants sense and a new heating/AC system in Billeaud and react to gravity by studying how Hall. As you can imagine, major directional forces affect their growth in a construction work does not mesh well with nearly weightless environment. maintaining research and teaching The activities. But now that the work is project was complete, it is great to have an improved launched in environment for our students and faculty. April from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard an unmanned Falcon 9 rocket as part of NASA’s Space X-3 resupply mission.

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BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______

The objective of the research is to Biologist studies evolution of learn more about how and why plants grow up, while their roots grow down. 'electric organs' There are several prevailing theories. One (this story is modified from one originally involves starch grains inside cells, called prepared by Charlie Bier, photo by Amy amyloplasts. The tiny grains settle in the Windsor) direction of gravity and are thought to Dr. James Albert jabs the exposed end of a provide growth length of coated wire into the water of a signals. “We don’t small aquarium, home of a tiny electric eel know what kind of the size of pocket comb. The associate movement these professor of biology at the University of particles undergo Louisiana at Lafayette waves the metal without gravity, prongs around like a wand, sending without effective electrical impulses into a black box at the gravity,” other end of the wire. The electronic box Hasenstein said. crackles like an old transistor radio The experiment attempted to searching for a signal. The popping sounds displace the starch grains in Brassica grow louder as his hand nears the eel, rapa (turnip) roots using strong magnetic which emits an electric current it uses to gradients. The plants were encapsulated stun prey, defend itself, navigate and in a semi-autonomous device and communicate. exposed to powerful magnetic fields. The Albert is an ichthyologist, or a roots curved away from the magnetic scientist who studies fishes—their anatomy, gradient if displacement of the starch evolution, behavior, genetics, and, during a grains is the gravity-sensing trigger. 10-year research project, their potential for “If we determine it’s not sensitive to medical advances. His favorites, and the the displacement, we know we don’t have ones he has studied the most, are electric to go that way. We can look at something eels, which get their name from their long else,” Hasenstein explained. The body shape experiment also will analyze the effect of and are the magnetic gradient on plant cell actually a membranes and potential gene specialized expression changes. kind of fish. “The work is important not just for “Electric plants, it’s important for everything to fishes are the understand what small effects gravity has masters of on individual cells,” Hasenstein said. electricity,” Albert said. “All animals make Hasenstein was able to monitor electricity. Our brains run on electricity, and growth via a live stream of images during every time a muscle contracts, it’s because the several weeks the project was in of electricity. But electric fishes can make space. Since the experiment returned to more of it, and they have control of it.” Earth in May 18th, Dr. Hasenstein and his Albert co-authored an article entitled students have been busy conducting “Genomic Basis for the Convergent additional research on the materials. Evolution of Electric Organs” that was recently published in Science magazine. The article details the work of a team of 16

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BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______scientists who assembled the entire Learn more about "Genomic Basis for the genome—or the complete set of genes—of Convergent Evolution of Electric Organs" the electric eel. “Electric fish have a whole on Science magazine’s website. new cell type that mammals don’t have, and the question is, ‘What genes were changed to allow the origin of this new cell type?’ ” Professor leads expedition to he said. study underwater habitat, sea life Researchers compared a group of (this story is modified from one originally electric fish from South America with prepared by Charlie Bier) another group from Africa as part of the study. They discovered that although each Dr. Scott France, an group evolved electric organs associate professor of independently, similar genes were biology, led a scientific responsible for the development of these expedition to explore a organs inside the fish. Electric eels produce series of underwater electricity using several organs, which mountains and canyons contain flat, disc-shaped cells, called off the coast of Cape electrocytes. The electrocytes, which are Cod. He and other stacked atop each other like batteries in a researchers studied the flashlight, generate electricity. New England The project, which was led by Dr. Seamount chain, which Michael Sussman of the University of extends about 700 Wisconsin-Madison, was conducted to miles to the southeast and consists of more provide a genetic blueprint for electric fish than 30 volcanic peaks. The underwater that could be used in medical research, mountains are dotted with holes and according to Albert. “There’s a whole new tunnels that provide habitat for a range of generation of implantable devices that are species, but are largely unexplored. It is the coming down the pipeline, pacemakers for largest seamount chain in the North example. How are we going to power Atlantic. them? Are we going to put artificial batteries The expedition was carried out to in these devices? Or are we going to be map underwater topography and to study able to use our own metabolic activity to underwater geological features, marine power them? That’s what an electric fish biology and ecosystems. The National does. It has modified muscles that generate Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration electricity.” funded the expedition, which began in As the project’s only anatomist, August and ended in October. Albert’s work included dissecting the France, a marine biologist and electric organs, spinal cords, brains, oceanographer, worked aboard the kidneys, skin and other tissue to help Okeanos Explorer. The 225-foot-long ship ascertain the genetic profiles of the electric is used for NOAA exploration. It’s outfitted fishes. His main interest in the project, he with a sonar mapping system and carries a says, was less biomedical than learning submersible, remotely operated vehicle that more about evolutionary history. “What I can explore underwater terrain thousands really wanted was the genome of the of meters deep. The ROV, which is tethered electric eel, to understand the evolution of to the Explorer via a long fiber-optic cable, electric fish.” transmits operator commands, video and

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BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______electrical power. It also captures and One biological objective of the transmits high-definition video in real time. expedition was focused on how fish use the “Some of the things you see are jaw- coral ecosystems for habitat, including as dropping. You feel lucky, because some of spots to lay eggs and to “hide out” from the places have never been seen before,” predators. “The places we’re targeting have said France in a recent interview. He has really steep cliffs and rugged topography participated in similar expeditions in the where we expect coral communities, and, British Virgin Islands and Hawaii. as scientists, we’re trying to understand France was one of two scientists what fish associate with corals.” who guided the underwater vehicle’s “Biodiversity is a major interest, movements, based on input from other essentially why are there so many species scientists. He led the biological exploration, in the deep sea,” France said. “There’s no while a marine geologist from Oregon State sunlight, temperatures are very cold, and University led the geological exploration. there’s very little food. So my interest is: France likens his role to that of a ground Why is there so much life down there, and, controller communicating with astronauts. in terms of corals, how many species are “We’re the conduit between the onshore down there?” scientists and what’s happening at sea.” Learn more about the expedition “Our Video, photos and oceanographic Deepwater Backyard: Exploring Atlantic data, such as temperature and depth, were Canyons and Seamounts 2014.” live-streamed to a team of scientists. Some of the scientists were stationed at a command center at the University of Rhode Dr. Beth Stauffer joins the faculty

Island. Others accessed video streams Our newest faculty from universities across the United States. member, Dr. Beth France also served as a virtual tour Stauffer, joined the guide for the public, including science department in January students, who could access interactive 2015. She obtained a video feeds and log on to chat rooms at the Ph.D. in marine expedition web site. “Part of the overall goal environmental biology of this expedition is to get the public more from the University of engaged in understanding the oceans, and Southern California to get children excited about science,” he and completed said. France said some of his students at postdoctoral the University accessed live streams for fellowships at Columbia University and the classroom and lab study. US EPA. Her research interests include Corals and sponges that grow in phytoplankton ecology, especially as abundance in the underwater canyons are related to harmful algal blooms and hypoxic of particular interest to France. Stronger zones. She is interested in the intersection currents are funneled through the of human activities and development with compressed, V-shaped spaces, scrubbing the natural coastal environment and with away soft sediments such as mud, sand, the health and sustainability of aquatic silt and clay. What remains are harder ecosystems. During the coming year she surfaces, such as steep-sided walls, ridges, will be setting up her research program and rocks and boulders to which coral attaches. developing courses. Welcome Beth!

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BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______

Faculty Research Cazan, A.M. and P.L. In 2014, Biology faculty reported authorship Klerks. 2014. on over 54 scholarly articles, reports, and Evidence of maternal book chapters. Here is a small sample of copper and cadmium this outstanding work. Names of Biology transfer in two live- faculty, students, former students, and staff bearing fish species. are in bold. Ecotoxicology 23:1774-1783 Ackleh, A., S. Delcambre, K.L. Sutton, and Alfy Cazan, recent D.G. Ennis. 2014. A Structured doctoral graduate, in Mathematical Model for Spread of the field Mycobacterium marinum: Foundations for a Numerical Approximation Scheme. Felder, D., B. Thoma, W. Schmidt. S. Journal of Mathematics, Biosciences Self-Krayesky, A. Chistoserdov, H. and Engineering 11:679-721 Bracken-Grissom and S. Fredericq. Baeza, J.A., R.T. Bauer, J. Okuno, and M. 2014. Seaweeds and decapod Thiel 2014. Molecular phylogeny of crustaceans on Gulf deep banks after hinge-beak shrimps (Decapoda: the Macondo oil spill. Bioscience Caridea: Rhynchocinetes and 64:808-819 Cinetorhynchus) and allies: a formal test Gallant, J. R., L. L. Traeger, J. D. of familiar and generic monophyly using Volkening, H. Moffett, Po-Hao Chen, C. a multilocus phylogeny. Zoological D. Novina, R. Anand, G. B. Wells, M. Journal of the Linnean Society.172:426– Pinch, R. Gueth, G. A. Unguez, J. S. 450 Albert, H. H. Zakon, M. J. Samanta, Bracken-Grissom, H. D., S. Ahyong, R. and M. R. Sussman. Genomic Basis for Wilkinson, C. Schweitzer, S. Ahyong, F. the Convergent Evolution of Electric Palero,M. Tsang, K-H. Chu, J.W. Organs. Science 344:1522-1525 Martin. R. M. Feldmann, M. Bendall, D. Matamoros, W. A., C. D. McMahan, P. L. Felder, R. Robles, D. Kim, T-Y. Chakrabarty and J. S. Albert. Chan, and K. A. Crandall. 2014. The Derivation of the freshwater fish fauna of Emergence of the Lobsters: Central America revisited: Myers’s Phylogenetic Relationships, hypothesis in the 21st Century. Morphological Evolution and Divergence Cladistics 2104: 1-12 Time Comparisons of an Ancient Group Morgan, S.G., J.L. Fisher, S.T. McAfee, J.L. (Decapoda: Achelata, Astacidea, Largier, S.H. Miller, M.M. Sheridan, and Glypheidea, Polychelida). Systematic J.E. Neigel. 2014. Transport of Biology 63:457-479 crustacean larvae between a low-inflow Cao, J., J. Chen, J. Wang, P. Klerks, P. estuary and coastal waters. Estuaries and L. Xie. 2014. Effects of sodium and Coasts. 37:1269-1283 fluoride on MAPKs signaling pathway in Pante E., J. Abdelkrim, A. Viricel, D. Gey, the gills of a freshwater teleost, S.C. France, M.C. Boisselier and S. Cyprinus carpio. Aquatic Toxicology Samadi. 2014. Use of RAD sequencing 152:164-172 for delimiting species. Heredity online early pub doi:10.1038/hdy.2014.105

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BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______

Pesacreta, T.C. and M. Purpera. 2014. morphology. Zoological Journal of the Light microscopy survey of extant Linnean Society 170:86–109 gymnosperm root protophloem, and Walter, S.T., J.J. Dindo, P.L. Leberg, and comparison with basal angiosperms. J. Karubian. 2014. Factors influencing Botany 92:388-401 Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) Prada, C., M.B. DeBiasse, J.E. Neigel, B. foraging movement patterns during the Yednock, J.L. Stake, Z.H. Forsman, breeding season. Canadian Journal of I.B. Baums, M.E. Hellberg. 2014. Zoology 92:885-891 Genetic species delineation among Yednock, B.K. and J. E. Neigel. 2014. branching Caribbean Porites corals. Detecting Selection in the Blue Crab, Coral Reefs 33:1019-1030 Callinectes sapidus, Using DNA Roxo, F. F., J. S. Albert, G. S. C. Silva, C. Sequence Data from Multiple Nuclear H. Zawadzki, F. Foresti, and C. Oliveira. Protein-Coding Genes. PLoS ONE 9(6) Molecular Phylogeny and Biogeographic Yednock, B.K. and J.E. Neigel 2014. An History of the Armored Neotropical investigation of genetic population Catfish Subfamilies Hypoptopomatinae, structure in blue crabs, Callinectes Neoplecostominae and Otothyrinae sapidus, using nuclear gene sequences. (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). PLOS ONE Marine Biology. 161:871-886 9: e105564 Sauvage, T., M.J. Wynne, V.J. Paul and S. Fredericq. 2014. Morphological and New Book edited by Dr. Wang molecular clarification of the enigmatic (this text and image are from Amazon.com) Caulerpa floridana W.R. Taylor (Chlorophyta, Bryopsidales) from the Genetics, Genomics Dry Tortugas, Florida. European Journal and Breeding of of Phycology 49: 370-383 Sorghum edited by Smith,K.M., M.E. Maragnoli, P.M .Phull , Yi Hong Wang, HD K.M. Tran , L. Choubey, F.M. Vaccarino. Upadhyaya,and C. 2014. Fgfr1 inactivation in the mouse Kole. 2014. Taylor & telencephalon results in impaired Francis/CRC Press. maturation of interneurons expressing ISBN: 978-1-48221- parvalbumin. PLoS One. 2014 Aug 008-8. 344p. 12;9(8):e103696 Teboh-Ewungkem, M.I., Mohammed-Awel, Sorghum is one of J., Baliraine, F.N., Duke-Sylvester, the hardiest crop S.M. 2014. The effects of intermittent plants in modern preventive Treatment on Antimalarial agriculture and also Drug Resistance spread in areas with one of the most versatile. Its seeds provide population movement. Malaria Journal calorie for food and feed, stalks for building 13:428 and industrial materials and its juice for Thoma, B. P., D. Guinot, and D. L. Felder. syrup. This book provides an in-depth 2014. Evolutionary relationships among review of the cutting-edge knowledge in American mud crabs (Crustacea: sorghum genetics and its applications in Decapoda: Brachyura: Xanthoidea) sorghum breeding. Each chapter is inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial authored by specialists in their fields to markers, with comments on adult report the latest trends and findings. The book showcases the definitive value of

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BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______sorghum as a model system to study the Susan Mopper, Coypu Foundation, Effects genetic basis of crop productivity and stress of Invasive plant on insect pollinators. tolerance and will provide a foundation for $55,000 future studies in sorghum genetics, Peter A. Sheppard, Kathleen Lopez, Pegge genomics, and breeding. Alciatore, and Patricia W. Beaulieu. National Science Foundation, Strengthening Teachers Education Newly Funded Projects through Math & Science Scholars. In 2014, Biology faculty were principal or $1,193,309 co-principal investigators on over three Scott Duke-Sylvester and Jenneke million dollars of new funding for research Visser. The Water Institute of the Gulf. and student training. Some of the larger Basin-Wide Model Development for the awards are presented below. LCA Mississippi River Hydrodynamic and Delta Management Study. $89,697 Ben Blundell, Joseph Neigel, Arun Lakhotia, Ryan Benton, and Raju Gottumukkala. National Science DEPARTMENT ROUNDUP: Foundation, CC*IIE Networking NEWS AND NUGGETS FROM Infrastructure: Cyberinfrastructure - INSIDE THE BIOLOGY Creation of Science DMZ at UL Lafayette, $ 491,513 DEPARTMENT Prosanta Chakrabarty and James Albert. Dr. Ray Bauer, emeritus faculty member, National Science Foundation, Not so was awarded the Fast - Historical biogeography of Fulbright-Brazil freshwater fishes in Central America Scientific Mobility and the Greater Antilles $ 781,182 Program Paul Klerks and Paul Leberg, Louisiana Distinguished Chair Board of Regents. Recruitment of Award. The award superior graduate students in provides funds for environmental and evolutionary biology travel to and within for 2014. $112,000 Brazil, research Joshua Lawler, John Mazluff, David funds, living Cimprich and Paul Leberg. US expenses, and a Department of Defense. Sources and stipend. These Distinguished Chairs are Sinks: Elucidating Mechanisms, highly competitive, and this award Documenting Patterns, and Forecasting. represents a well deserved honor for Dr. $374,500 Bauer. Paul Leberg. Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s coastal Lewis Deaton received the Dr. Leon science assistantship program. Lahaye Endowed Faculty Development Evaluation of Maximum Entropy Models award. for Assessing the Restoration Scenarios Influence on Coastal Wildlife Paul Klerks received the Ray Authement Populations. $75,000 College of Sciences 2014 Outstanding Professor Award.

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BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______

Dr. Alan DeRamus Pegge Alciatore, Penny Antley, Bruce Retires Felgenhauer, Patricia Mire-Watson, Kyle A long time member of Patton, and Sherry Krayesky all won the Department of awards from the University as Outstanding Renewable Advisors. Resources, Dr DeRamus joined the Paul Klerks received a Chinese Academy Biology faculty in of Sciences (CAS) Visiting Professorship 2012. With over 32 for Senior International Scientists for years of distinguished summer 2014, CAS Institute of Applied service to the Ecology. University as an ______educator, researcher, and director the University’s ag auxillary units, Dr. Board of Regent Professorships DeRamus’ retirement is well deserved. awarded to four faculty in recognition of their outstanding contributions Your Gifts Make A Difference! Donations to the Biology Department’s This year, faculty awarded these three-year University of Louisiana at Lafayette professorships included: Foundation fund allow us to make investments in new research directions and Bruce Felgenhauer—Dr. Glynn student education programs that are difficult Granger/BoRSF Professorship in Pre-Med to fund through our modest operating budget. Karl Hasenstein— BOR professorship SLEMCO/LEQSF Regents Professorship in Gifts can be made online by visiting: Science II http://ullafayette.kintera.org/sciences At the bottom of the page, enter “BIOLOGY Suzanne Fredericq—Freeport/ DEPARTMENT” in the “GIFT DETAILS” McMoRan/BoRSF Professorship for box. Coastal Biodiversity in Research Development Contributions to our foundation fund can also be made by sending a check, made Paul Klerks—Harold & Adele out to Biology Department Fund ULL Comeaux/BoRSF Professorship in Biology Foundation, to the foundation. Their address is:

UL Lafayette Foundation P.O. Box 44290 Lafayette, LA 70504-4290

Thank you for any gift you provide supporting the department’s activities.

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BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______

Hanks, Justin Gerhard 92 Undergraduates Earn Hathorn, Destiny Biology Degrees in 2014! Henneman, Taylor Hicks, Matt Thomas Hill, Katherine Abron, Robigail Ho, Vu Abshire, Jean-Paul Hoard, Brandon Amador, Ana Maria Holland, Megan Anyama, Boris Hughes, Claire Catherine Arabie, Daniel Jones, Lori Angelle Atkins, Jade Lalonde, Gregory Scott Aymond, Brandt Langlinais, Kristy Ann Ballard, Matthew Victor LeBlanc, Brody James Barnett, Lauren Lejeune, Kristen Ellen Begnaud, Chelsea L Lormand, Paige Bishop, Taylor Noelle Louviere, Chase Michael Bodiford, Steven Luong, Vy Book, Anna Beth Mabee, Christopher Robert Breaux, Garrett Wade Mcatee, Midori Alexandra Brennan, Maeve McClendon, Hunter Bailey Brockmann, Melissa McDonald, Hannah Broussard, Ashley McLemore, Meagan Lyn Brown, Albre' Miguez, Summer Bux, Amber Monceaux, Timothy Scott Clause, Emily Claire Muse, Lindy Clements, Shauna Michelle Mustapha, Sara Ali Cooley, Sarah Nguyen, Tan Le Darbonne, Royce Benjamin Olivier, Alexandra Dardar Jr, Basile Joseph Onyenekwu, Chukwuemeka Decoux, Amanda Michelle Phiyo, Joonho Dendy, Victoria Rose Rivers, Madelyn Deslatte, Kimberly Roberts, Jeremy Drake Dinh, Nhi-Lyly Sawvel, Baxter David Dinh, Raymond Phi Schexnayder, Raven Ducharme, Jennifer Anne Shank, Taylor Houston Duhon, Jillian Elizabeth Spartz, Shelby Grace Elkhansa, Abbie Angelina Sullivan, Ashley Nicole Frady, Kristine Kay Swati, Tariq Franco, Marco Thomas, Courtney Latrelle Fruge, Alexandra Elise Thompson, Charles Aaron Gardiner, William Winston Trochez, Marcela Paola Gary, Sean Williams, Quinten Anthony Gauthier, Andrew Yerino, Nicholas Gerace, Laura Marie Young, Hillary Gibson, William James Zamora, Kevin Alexander Goulas, Emilee Zhang, Jing Granger, Stephen Glenn Graziano, Allyson Guidry, Carrie Elaine Congratulations and best wishes to Guidry, Lindsey all of our 2014 graduates! Guillory, Kacey Felice

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BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______

Academic Affairs, and Valerie Long, Undergraduate Organization Representative of Ross University News School of Veterinary Medicine. We also were invited to tour Dr. Toby Wexler’s The Biology Society AAHA certified veterinary hospital where Faculty he works on exotics and small animals. Advisor: The society also had a bake sale Kyle fundraiser for the St. Martin Parish Animal Shelter which had a great need. Patton Through the bake sale and donations This past from Traco Production Services and year the County Place Vet Clinic, over $700 was Biology raised as a donation to the shelter for Society held an Easter Bake Sale, a their animals! Halloween Bake Sale, and a Fundraiser for the new Cajun Café on campus. Prevet Over the summer, tables were set up society during Freshman Orientations to recruit presents check to the new members to the organization. A St. Martin bowling social was held at Lafayette Animal Lanes, and we had a great turn-out. Shelter During preview days, officers and board members assisted the biology A supply drive for Acadiana department by directing parents and Humane Society is currently underway students to Billeaud Hall and serving and members hope to have a large them refreshments. Departmental donation to this great organization. speakers included Dr. Joe Neigel, Dr. Darryl Felder, and Dr. Brad Moon. A senior in Biology, Alexandra Olivier, Pre-Professional Society gave a presentation on her study abroad Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bruce program through Broadreach College. Felgenhauer This year the ULL Pre-Professional Pre-Vet Society Society hosted in the Fall semester the Faculty Advisor: Dr. Alan Deans of the Medical, Dental, and DeRamus Osteopathic Medicine schools from This year, the Pre-Vet Society had a Louisiana and Hattiesburg, MS. These variety of speakers from all aspects of Deans included: Dr. F. Scott Kennedy, the veterinary profession and (Dean of Admissions Shreveport), Dr. participated in a very productive Jim Weir (Dean of Admissions, William fundraiser for a local shelter in need. Carey (Osteopathic Medicine), Dr. Sam The society hosted Dr. Jacki Simon, a McClugage (Dean of Admissions New small animal vet from St. Martinville, Dr. Orleans), Dr. Cheramie (Dean of William Holmes, a veterinary research Admissions LSU Dental School, New analyst, Dr. Joseph Taboada, LSU Orleans). In addition, Mackel Harris School of Veterinary Medicine’s from Life College in Atlanta, GA came Associate Dean of Student and and spoke to the group about their 10

BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______program in Chiropractic Medicine. High School Valedictorian Scholarship, Throughout the rest of the year we had Dr. Bernard and Marie Lahasky a wide variety of fine speakers from Scholarship, and Student Government many different areas of Health Care in Association Scholarship. Acadiana including: Dr. Jacki She was a member of Kappa Meriweather, Veterinarian, Dr. Bradley Delta Sorority, the Pre-Professional Chastant, Jr, Internal Medicine, Dr. Society and a Ragin’ Cajun Catholics’ Tedesco, Cardiologist, Dr. Bradley Focus Missionary. In 2011, Langlinais Chastant, Sr. ENT, Kathy Bobs; CEO of was an ambassador for the Student Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Dr. Alumni Myers, Dermatologist, and Dr. Association. In Felgenhauer giving his annual “State of 2010, she served the Union Address” on the basics of as public relations applying to professional schools. chairperson for The PPS was also quite active in the Junior community service. The members National raised over $5000 for the American PanHellenic Heart Association and $5000 for St. Council. Jude Cancer Hospital in Memphis which is twice what they raised for this Langlinais carrying organization from last year. Our in the College members were involved in Clean-Up banner at Day in Girard Park, Pre-view Day and commencement “Up til Dawn” fund raiser for St Jude. Members also volunteered for Habitat Langlinais performed community for Humanity and the Heart Walk of service work with Girl Scouts of Acadiana. Enrollment increased again America, Habitat for Humanity, Prevent this year as this large organization Child Abuse America, St. Pierre’s continues to grow and is one if not these Center for the Arts, Family Christian most active student organization on Center, Lafayette Community Health Campus. It was another good year! Care Clinic and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She volunteered at Iberia Medical Center, Iberia Biology Student Named Rehabilitation Hospital and the Pediatric Outstanding Graduate Therapy and Learning Center. She is active in her church as a music minister

and retreat team member. Kristy Langlinais was the Outstanding Langlinais plans to enroll in the Graduate for the Ray P. Authement occupational therapy program at the College of Sciences in Spring 2014. A LSU Health Sciences Center in biology major with a 4.0 GPA, she was Shreveport. She would like to return to on the President’s List and a member of the Lafayette area for a career as an the University Honors Program and the occupational therapist. She is the Blue Key Honor Society. daughter of Justin and Monica Langlinais received the TOPS Langlinais of Erath, La. Performance Scholarship, UL Lafayette Centennial Scholarship, UL Lafayette

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BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______

Undergraduate’s Discovery allowing the species’ spores to spread farther than they would if released Makes The News closer to the ground.” (this story is modified from one originally prepared by Charlie Bier, image of fungus See the Newsweek article to learn more on host ant by Stephen Saltamachia) about Steven’s discovery. A University of Louisiana at Lafayette student has discovered a “zombie Biology Students Receive fungus” that’s been off scientists’ radar for almost a century, was reported in Service Award Newsweek. Stephen Saltamachia, a The University of Louisiana at Lafayette senior majoring in microbiology at UL Dean of Community Service recognized Lafayette, discovered the rare, furry graduating seniors who had more than fungus while working at Acadiana Park 200 hours of verified University-based Nature Station in Lafayette. He spotted community service. Among the a carpenter ant queen wandering students receiving the 2014 Excellence outside, which caught his attention since in Service Award were three biology a queen rarely leaves her nest. students: Saltmachia studied the errant ant after Vu Ho sterilizing it and placing it in a petri dish. Kolby Handy “A born naturalist, Saltamachia Katherine Hill suspected that the ant might be Congratulations to Vu, Kolby and parasitized by a brain-manipulating Katherine. pathogen often called 'zombie fungus,' which causes infected insects to behave abnormally,” an article posted on Mentoring Matters! Newsweek’s website states. Saltmachia The Biology Department launched a reports that DNA sequencing suggests new program in the spring of 2014, that the fungus is a new, yet to be providing assistance to students with the named, species. help of other students. “Mentoring Why is it called a “zombie Matters” aims to provide supplemental fungus”? The Newsweek post explains peer instruction and assistance to that “Fungi in this group infects ants and students in some of our introductory other insects and often control their courses. The effort began with Sherry behavior to maximize their potential to Krayesky-Self and seven undergraduate spread—before ultimately killing the students who had earned top grades in animal. Fundamentals of Biology I. These students, having demonstrated mastery Fungus of the material in Fundamentals of growing on Biology I, dedicated two hours each host ant week to meet with and mentor students currently taking the course. For example, one such fungus infects Initial success in this early effort, ants and forces them to climb high up lead to an expansion of the program vegetation before perishing and giving incorporating other courses. There are rise to horn-like fungal growths, thus now approximately 27 student mentors

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BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______assisting their peers who are enrolled in Hundy, Laura. First Place Student Fundamentals of Biology I, Presentation Award at 2014 Annual Fundamentals of Biology II, Applied Meeting of the Society of Wetland Anatomy, Anatomy and Physiology, and Scientists South Central Chapter for oral Cell and Molecular Biology. The Biology presentation “Effect of Hydrologic Mentoring Matters program hopes to Regime and Soil Properties on Black build on the early success of the Mangrove (Avicennia germinans) program and will continue to bring Survival and Growth in a Restored student mentors and their peers Louisiana Salt Marsh.” (Laura also together in a pro-active learning earned three other awards for environment. We thank all the mentors conference presentations in 2014!). for donating their time and knowledge to help their peers Jones, Scott. Society of Wetland successfully Scientists Travel Award; State of the master the Coast 2014 Student Scholarship, challenges of Louisiana Sea Grant. freshmen and sophomore level Kascak, Alex. Student Travel Award for course work. Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Research Conference. Some of the biology students Self-Krayesky, Sherry. Hoshaw Travel serving as peer Award from Phycological Society of mentors America, LS-LAMP program award to mentor student at Joint Aquatics Meetings, and SURE/Board of Regents Graduate Student Awards and grant (with Delena Phung). Accomplishments Mueck, Kristy. USGS Research Award; Continuing biology graduate students Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship, were first authors on 10 peer-reviewed Louisiana Department of Wildlife and publications, presented 22 off-campus Fisheries. seminars, and gave 57 conference presentations in 2014. Below are some Sauvage, Thomas. Hoshaw Travel examples of awards and grants made to Award and Grant-in-Aid of Research graduate students in the program. from Phycological Society of America.

Camacho, Olga. Grants-in-Aid of Sullivan, Timothy. Rockefeller State Research, $1500, Phycological Society Wildlife Scholarship, Louisiana of America. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Edge, Andrea. Elected student Tobin, Eric. Scholarship for Out to President to the American Society for Innovate from NOGLSTP; Best Gravitational and Space Research Graduate Student Poster Award at Student Organization. National STEM and NOGLSTP Joint Meeting.

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BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______

Master of Science in Biology, Tang, Pei-Ciao. H. Dickson Hoese and Richard Moore Award for Best Graduate Non-Thesis Student Publication in Biology for 2014. Calais, Warnesha; Advisor: Dr. Glen Watson

10 Graduate Degrees Conferred Waterman, Megan; Advisor: Dr. Bruce Doctor of Philosophy in Felgenhauer Environmental and Evolutionary Biology Master of Science in Biology, Thesis Cazan (Morales), Alfy; Dissertation: Maternal Transfer of Metals in Live- Cheramie, Martin; Thesis: Investigations into M. marinum Bearing Fish (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliinae); Advisor: Dr. Paul Interacting and Crossing Fish Gut Klerks Epithelia: Evidence for Inducing a Protective Gut Mucosal Immunity by a Live Vaccine Candidate; Advisor: Mallick, Amrita; Dissertation: In Vivo Dr. Don Ennis Characterization of Mycobacterium marinum Virulence Genes with Hazra, Suchandra; Thesis: Individual Unknown Functions and Larval and Combined Effect of Microbial Activation of Communities Associated with Marine Mycobacterial Arthropods; Advisor: Dr. Andrei Virulence in the Chistoserdov Medaka Infection Model; Advisor: Satbhai, Kruuttika; Thesis: Petroleum Dr. Don Ennis Hydrocarbons Phenanthrene and Dibenzothiophene on Reproductive Amrita Mallick at Behavior in the Amphipod Hyalella the bench azteca; Advisor: Dr. Paul Klerks

Starr, Matthew; Thesis: Detecting Oguma, Andrew; Dissertation: Positive Selection on Stress- Assessing the Effects of Low-Level response genes in the marine Lead Contamination in Freshwater slipper snail Crepidula fornicata; Co- Sediments Using Community-Level Advisors: Dr. Joseph Neigel & Dr. and Functional Indicators; Advisor: Rachel Collins Dr. Paul Klerks Yando, Erik; Thesis: Mangrove Forest Expansion and Development in the Northern Gulf of Mexico: A Comparison of Plant–Soil Interactions Across Salt Marsh Mangrove Ecotones; Advisor: Dr. Mark Hester

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BIONEWS – Newsletter of the Biology Department ⎯ University ofLouisiana, Lafayette ⎯ Ray P. Authement College of Sciences ______

Brandon Waltz, Max Brent, and Kory The Graduate Student Evans-Jackson for all their hard work planning the event, and Drs. Susan Symposium 2014 Mopper, Scott Duke-Sylvester, Karl The 15th Annual Biology Graduate Hasenstein and Kirk Winemiller for Student Symposium was held on Friday, serving as judges. October 24, 2014. The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Kirk Winemiller from Texas A&M University. His keynote address was entitled “Functional traits, Changes in the Office convergent evolution, and a periodic After several years of dedicated service, table of niches” Ms. Jill Broussard retired from her There were eleven student talks. administrative assistant position. In Kory Evans-Jackson (Alberts Lab) won June, Ms. Ponchella (Anne) Boutte the “Singh Award for Best Presentation” joined us as a new administrative for his talk “The Law of Heterocephaly; assistant working in the main capturing the primary axis of vertebrate departmental office. Congratulations Jill skull evolution (All up in your face/Brain and welcome Anne! case).” Alumni Updates Kory Evans sampling We love to hear from our graduates. If fish in South you have information you would like to America share involving your professional or personal life, please send it Sondra Meyers ([email protected]). Please be sure to include information on This award was presented in honor of your year of graduation and degree; the late Navasha Singh, a former participation by alumni of both our doctoral student in biology. undergraduate and graduate programs David Penning (Moon Lab) won is encouraged. the “The Best Student Poster Presentation” for his poster “Always Fast and Always Furious? Can Hiring? Ratsnakes Modulate Their Strikes When Encountering Offensive and Defensive We maintain an email list of recent Scenarios?” grads searching for positions and have A reception following the contact with current students. If you symposium was held at the Ira Nelson have a position or internship Horticulture Center. Funds were announcement appropriate for biology provided by the Student Government majors that you would like us to Association Lyceum Fund, Graduate distribute to these groups, please send it School Organization, Ira Nelson to me ([email protected]) as an Horticulture Center, and Ecology email attachment. Likewise, if you are a Center. Twenty-four local businesses recent graduate, let me know if you donated raffle items. Thanks to Kristin would like to be added to our email list. Wakeland, Lisa Sheriff, Trey Mace,

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