Culturing beneficial coral bacteria
Mentors:
Dr. Stephanie Rosales and Dr. Nicholas MacKnight
Dr. Stephanie Rosales is an assistant scientist at the University of Miami’s (UM) Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) and is stationed at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML). Dr. Rosales is interested in characterizing and understanding microorganisms that may be detrimental or beneficial to marine organisms by utilizing next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Rosales received her B.S. in marine biology at Florida International University and was an NSF GRFP fellow at Oregon State University where she received her Ph.D. in microbiology.
Dr. Nicholas MacKnight joined AOML’s Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division as a University of Miami-Cooperative Institute post-doctoral scientist. Nicholas will work with Dr.Stephanie Rosales to identify the functional contributions and adaptive restraints of bacteria that live on Orbicella faveolate, a disease susceptible, yet highly productive reef-building coral. This research seeks to identify disease resistant genotypes within this susceptible species.
Format:
In-person
Brief description:
The student will work in the Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. The student will be trying to culture bacteria for coral species. The student will learn how to keep a lab notes, autoclave, aspetic techniques, and grow bacteria.
