Current Projects
Amphibian pathogens of Hancock County
In this project students are surveying amphibians across Hancock County using a variety of capture techniques. Skin swabs are collected and are analyzed for amphibian pathogens using enhanced molecular techniques. This work will provide data that can lead to better management practices for preventing disease spread as well as provide baseline data for future monitoring of disease spread.
Squamate Plasmodium Phylogenetics
In this project students have assessed descriptions of Plasmodium species (the pathogen responsible for malaria) and determined that morphological description may not be sufficient for understanding the diversity of this organism. As a result, the researchers aim to collect reptiles across the country to assess the presence of Plasmodium, infection rates, and assess diversity using a molecular phylogenetic approach.
New Publications
Professor Rheubert and Dr. Charvat recently published a manuscript with two former students (Megan Pasternak and Rae Strobel) in PLoS ONE:
- Predicting antibacterial activity from snake venom proteomes
Professor Rheubert along with two students (Megan Pasternak and Madisen Ely) have recently published their work in the Journal of Zoology:
New FundingThe Principal Investigators of the OILER lab were awarded an Enhanced Teaching and Scholarship grant for $10,000.00. This grant is to test hypotheses concerning the prevalence and distribution of the malaria causing parasite in lizards.