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August 20, 2010

不良研究所 graduate biology students join professor at national conference

Department of Biology graduate students at the University of Louisiana at Monroe joined 不良研究所 Associate Professor Anna M. Hill, Ph.D., to present research at the joint American Society of Limnology and Oceanography / North American Benthological Society scientific conference in Santa Fe, N.M., held the week of June 6 - 12.

Graduate student Tamika Aldridge presented a poster titled, 鈥淒igital Comparison of Anisoptera Larvae Morphology,鈥� and another graduate student, Tracy Hooks, of Gainesville, Ga., presented a poster titled, 鈥淎biotic Influences on Freshwater Mussel Community Composition.鈥�

Aldridge presented research in which she and Hill are using digital photography and morphological landmark analysis in an attempt to find ways to distinguish among species of early instar dragonfly larvae. 鈥淚dentification to species generally requires late instars,鈥� explained Hill.

鈥淭he conference was a great experience,鈥� said Aldridge. 鈥淚t was amazing to see the work of other scientists, as well as present my own research. I was able to converse with others about my work and I received some valuable input, all while enjoying a beautiful city. Not a bad way to spend the summer at all!鈥�

Hooks presented preliminary analysis of a large environmental data set for mussels in Bayou Bartholomew.

鈥淏ayou Bartholomew has a very large diversity of mussels, giving us a unique opportunity to identify which variables are most important in maintaining healthy populations and diversity,鈥� said Hill.

鈥淚t was a great experience in that I was able to meet with some of the experts in the field and received great feedback and suggestions from them which will allow me to fine tune my research efforts,鈥� said Hooks.

鈥淚t also provided an opportunity to interact on a large scale, not just in a classroom, and to see what others are doing in this field of research in other parts of the country,鈥� Hooks continued. 鈥淚t made me realize what an incredible and diverse natural resource we have in Bayou Bartholomew. We have more than 40 species of mussels; whereas, most researchers are working with only two or three species.鈥�

ASLO and NABS are large international scientific societies. This year's annual meeting had approximately 2000 attendees from as far away as Australia, Japan, and China.

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