Laboratory of Erin Field, Ph.D.

Project: How much iron do iron-oxidizing bacteria really need?

Iron-oxidizing bacteria are widespread in aquatic systems and can contribute to water treatment, biocorrosion, and contaminant mobility in the environment. These organisms require iron for growth, but iron concentrations fluctuate in the environment and it is unclear how they respond to these rapid changes. Can there be too much or too little? The undergraduate student associated with this project will conduct laboratory growth experiments. They will gain experience in microbiological laboratory techniques, spectrophometric assays, and epifluorescence microscopy. There will also be opportunities to assist in field work if interested. Interested students should send a current CV or resume and a brief statement of research interests and professional goals to Dr. Erin Field, fielde14@ecu.edu.

Project: Crabs and ‘Crobes: Microbial Role in Mud Crab-Parasite Interactions

Microbes can play an important role in host-parasite interactions, but little is known about how they may affect the relationship between mud crabs and the parasites that infect them. The undergraduate student associated with this project will aid in laboratory experiments and have the opportunity to conduct some field work. They will gain experience in basic microbiological laboratory techniques, antibiotic testing methods, DNA extraction and PCR amplification, microbial community sequencing, and mud crab housing in the lab. This project is in collaboration with the Blakeslee Lab and the student will be expected to work closely with this lab. Interested students should send a current CV or resume and a brief statement of research interests and professional goals to Dr. Erin Field, fielde14@ecu.edu.