Research Interest

• Molecular Ecology
  Using molecular techniques to assess the physiological and evolutionary response of freshwater micro-crustaceans to atmospheric ultraviolet radiation

Potential Research Project

1. We are only beginning to understand how freshwater invertebrates tolerate high ultraviolet radiation (UV) and cold temperatures. Typically, DNA repair rates are greatest under greatest under an organism's optimal environmental temperature, leading to increased survival and reproduction. Recent studies have shown that these organisms can express increased survival under cold conditions in the presence of UV. Testing the hypothesis that cold temperatures can enhance survival of freshwater invertebrates under chronic (low level) UV conditions needs to be investigated across taxa.