Molecular Techniques in Ecology and Evolution
steven kimble, Towson University
Microbiomes are the huge communities of microbes that live in and on host organisms, and are typically intimately involved with the host in myriad ways, including in immune, metabolic, and behavior functions. As ecosystems, these microbiomes are sensitive to changes in their environments, such as host aging, disease state, or contact with pollutants. They could therefore be used as bioindicators of host health, but the membership and functions of microbiomes are poorly understood in almost all creatures, especially reptiles and amphibians. In this CURE we use modern field, laboratory, and bioinformatic tools to describe and analyze the microbiomes of non-model organisms such as frogs, turtles, and reef fish.

Logistic Growth with MATLAB
Yanli Cui, White Station High School
Purpose: Many populations grow in a manner that is important to the existing population. That makes sense. The larger the population, the larger the growth rate. This type of unconstrained growth can be modeled ...