IGP:
Ecological Sciences & Engineering

Mentor / Lab:
Marisol Sepulveda

Specific Research Area / Project:
Aquatic Toxicology

Undergraduate Institution:
Shepherd University B.S. 2012; The University of Texas M.S. 2015

Lab / Personal work-related websites:

Personal Website

Lab Website

Research Profile:

My research focuses on evaluating genomic responses in fish following exposure to oil spills. I am currently evaluating the impacts of phenanthrene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the cardiac development of embryonic and larval Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). I am using a multi-tiered approach to evaluate changes at the molecular level using genomic and bioinformatic techniques then link those genomic responses to phenotypic and behavioral changes at the organismal level. In the end, data generated by my research will help to determine toxicity limits of PAHs in fish as well as elucidate the mechanisms of cardiotoxicity of oil in developing fish.

About Me:

I began working in aquatic systems as an undergraduate at Shepherd University where I conducted research on water quality surrounding a water treatment plant using aquatic invertebrates as bioindicators. After graduating from Shepherd with a B.S. in Biology and Ecological Sciences, I began graduate school at The University of Texas where I completed my M.S. in Marine Science. My Master's research focused on fish physiology - particularly the acid-base compensation pathways in red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) gills when exposed to ocean acidification. Following my completion of my M.S. I worked as a lab manager for 2 years at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute where I continued research on ocean acidification and began assisting with research in toxicity associated with oil spills. This led me to my current position as a PhD student in FNR & ESE where I am evaluating the cardiotoxic effects of oil on developing fish.

Awards:

• Ross Fellowship, Purdue University, August 2017
• Abstract Based Travel Award, American Physiological Society, October 2014
• Dean's Excellence Award, The University of Texas, August 2014

Publications:

• Allmon, E. B. and Esbaugh, A. J. Carbon dioxide induced plasticity of branchial acid-base pathways in an estuarine teleost. Sci. Rep.7, 45680; doi: 10.1038/srep45680 (2017).

Presentations:

• International Congress on the Biology of Fish, "Cardiotoxic effects of phenanthrene in developing Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)", Calgary, Alberta, Canada, July 2017
• OIGP Spring Reception, "Soybeans to Sashimi: Analyzing outcomes of global aquaculture networks through a case study of Southeast Asia and Japan", West Lafayette, IN, May 2017
• Marine Science Advisory Council, "Tolerance of red drum to varying levels of CO2", Port Aransas, TX, August 2015
• Society for Experimental Biology, "Tolerance of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) to varying levels of CO2", Prague, Czech Republic, July 2015
• Texas Bays & Estuaries Meeting, "Tolerance of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) to varying levels of CO2", Port Aransas, TX, April 2015
• American Physiological Society Intersociety Meeting: Comparative Approaches to Grand Challenges in Physiology, "Phenotypic plasticity in response to hypercapnia induced acid-base disturbances in red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)", San Diego, CA, October 2014

Leadership:

• OIGP Science in Schools - Instructor 2017 -2018
• Ecological Sciences and Engineering - Treasurer 2017-18, 2018-19
• Forestry & Natural Resources - Treasurer 2018-19
• ESE Symposium - Logistics Chair 2018-19
• Lafayette Regional Science and Engineering Fair - Judge March 2018