Congratulations Jennifer Micklewright

Congratulations to Jennifer Micklewright on her BA degree in Biological Sciences. Jennifer was a senior honors research student in my lab and a three semester member of the Conservation of Marine Resources creative inquiry team.


Jenn's research project was to determine the influence of salinity on Hematodinium infection on blue crabs. She collected and processed blood samples from over 400 individuals collected in the ACE Basin NERR.


Jenn extracted both host and parasite DNA from preserved blood and amplified them for species-specific genetic markers. She found that diseased crabs were most likely found in high salinity locations, in the Combahee River, in December, and in years with the lowest river discharge.


She presented her research at the 2011 Benthic Ecology Meeting and the 2011 Focus on Creative Inquiry Symposium. Her thesis research was supported by funds from the SC Sea Grant Consortium, the Calhoun Honors Society, and the Creative Inquiry program.

For a PDF version of Jenn's research poster, click here.

Congratulations Anna Gurley

Congratulations to Anna Gurley on receiving her BS in Biological Sciences from Clemson University. Anna was a senior independent study student in my lab and a four semester member of the Conservation of Marine Resources team.


Anna's senior thesis research was on the Influence of Salinity on Juvenile Blue Crab Growth and Survival. Anna raised crabs at three salinities and measured the rate of molting and mortality over a three month period.


She found that blue crabs had similar growth for all salinities but that crabs had highest survival in 20 psu over either 35 psu or 5 psu.


She presented her research results at the 2011 Benthic Ecology Meeting in Mobile, AL and at the 2011 Focus on Creative Inquiry Symposium. Anna's research was supported by funds from the SC Sea Grant Consortium, the Creative Inquiry Program, and the Council for Undergraduate Research.

For a PDF version of Anna's research poster, click here.

2011 Benthic Ecology Meeting

The 2011 Benthic Ecology Meeting was held in Mobile, AL. Our entire lab, Kirk, Katherine, Kylie, Jenn and Anna attended and presented research.


The meeting was held in the old town section of Mobile a short walk from Mobile Bay.


As is often the case, the meeting happened to be over the St. Paddy's Day celebration including green fountains, a parade and, of course, green beer.


The banquet was held at a marsh-side restaurant with a giant crayfish boil.


Did I mention the mountain of crayfish?


As the chief crustacean biologist in the group, I was expected to demonstrate the proper peeling technique.


Katherine caught on quickly, much to her own delight.


Kylie and Anna did too, but couldn't take it too seriously.


Jenn found it messy but was able to keep up with the rest of us.


Overall, the Childress lab had a great meeting for both science and seafood.