Research skills

HMPA0001_ESID58_Hantzschia_rhaetica_Edited

RESEARCH SKILLS

  • Bioinformatics:
    • Experienced in coding, analyzing data, & generating publication quality figures in R (via R studio)
    • Experienced with using the following phylogenetics programs: IQ-Tree, MEGA7, MrBayes, PartitionFinder2, RAxML, & Sequencher,
  • Molecular Techniques:
    • DNA extraction, amplification of nuclear (18S & 28S) &
      chloroplast (rbcL, psbC, psaB, & psbA) genes, gel electrophoresis, & molecular cloning.
  • Taxonomic identification: Proficient in the identification of diatoms to species level,
    experienced in identifying fish macroinvertebrates, cyanobacteria, & other algal phyla to genus level.
  • Scientific illustration: Illustration of biological material using ink, graphite, & digital
    mediums.
  • Herbarium sample preparation: Preparation of permanent diatom herbarium slides via chemical digestion & Naphrax mountant.
  • Photomicrography: Use of integrated light microscope cameras to obtain high-quality photomicrographs & videos of algae, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, & meiofauna.
  • Scanning electron microscopy: Experienced in sample preparation for and obtaining images using scanning electron microscopes.
  • Culture media preparation: Preparation of WC & Z8 media as agar plates, slants, & liquid media.
  • Algal culturing: Experienced in isolating unialgal cultures from field samples &
    maintenance of established cultures, & transfer of cultures in solid & liquid media substrates.
  • Lentic & Lotic Sampling techniques: Experienced in utilizing Van Dorn samplers,
    Eckman dredges, plankton nets, Kick-netting, & Heseter-dendy samplers.
  • Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop: Experienced in preparing plates, figures, & illustrations for scientific journals & conference materials.
  • Analysis of ash-free dry weight, ATP, chlorophyll-a (via spectrophotometry), nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium & pH
  • Quantitative & qualitative collection of periphyton & plankton samples. Collection of samples using the composite sampling method for algal toxin testing.
  • Preparation of soft algae samples & diatom slides from periphytic & planktonic samples for analysis.
  • Preparation of phytoplankton samples for analysis using the Utermöhl method.
  • Assessing diatom slides to ensure quality & to facilitate taxonomic identification.
  • Short-term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents & Receiving Water for Freshwater Organisms:
    • 7-day Ceriodaphnia dubia (water flea) survival & reproduction
    • 7-day Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow) growth & survival
  • Culturing of Pimephales promelas, Ceriodaphia dubia, & Daphnia magna