The Research Experience for Undergraduates program at MDIBL is a unique summer program of hands-on research in marine physiology, molecular biology, developmental biology, and many other areas. MDIBL REU students come from universities and colleges across the country, and come together into a community of student scientists on our campus in Salsbury Cove, Maine. Select student profiles from our 2007 program are below.

2007 REU Fellowship Receipients:

Omar Aquino, Bowdoin College
Patrice Baumhardt, Illinois State University
Ellie Bors, Oberlin College
Kathleen Bradley, The University of Maine
Anya Brown, Brown University
Bethanie Edwards, Hendrix College
Catherine Hall, Georgia Southern University
Peter Knowlton, Duke University
Bailey Miles, Ohio University
Gar Secrist, Maryville College
John VanderHeide, Calvin College

Select Student Profiles:

Ellie Bors

Hometown: Bellevue, Washington
School: Oberlin College
Sponsor: Andrew Christie, Ph.D., University of Washington
Research Title: Distribution of neuropeptides in the brain of the green crab Carcinus maenas: Identification of putative circadian signaling molecules in Cell Cluster 6

The European green crab, Carcinus maenas, is one of the most successful marine invasives known. Native to the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North Africa, this species is now resident on both coasts of North America, the Atlantic coast of South America, Hawaii, Australia, Japan, South Africa and possibly regions of the Indian Ocean as well. While a variety of anthropogenic and natural mechanisms are responsible for the geographic spread of this species, its ability to adapt physiologically to a broad range of salinities, temperatures and other environmental factors has allowed it to become successfully established in new habitats. To begin to understand hormonal control in this species, including factors that allow for its extreme adaptability, we have begun a combined mass spectral and anatomical investigation of the neuropeptides present in C. maenas. Using multiple mass spectral methods we have identified over 50 peptide transmitters/hormones in the Carcinus CNS and neuroendocrine organs, including both previously described peptides (e.g. Beta-PDH) and ones de novo sequenced here for the first time (e.g. the FMRFamide-related peptide LNPKGPLFLRFamide).

Anya Brown

Hometown: White Plains, NY
School: Brown University
Sponsor: Ione Hunt von Herbing, Ph.D., University of North Texas
Research Title: Larval development of Fundulus heteroclitus

I worked this summer with Dr. Ione Hunt von Herbing on the larval development of Fundulus heteroclitus. I raised embryos to hatch and then raised the larvae. For the first two weeks of development I used image analysis to calculate viscerocranial measurements. Using these measurements I was able to begin to elucidate how larval F. heteroclitus feed. I also used a camera lucida to draw the stages of cleared and stained larvae and viscerocranial structures to see if there were any major changes. This experience gave me a glance into fish physiology which I value greatly – I learned a lot of skills that will help me as I continue to follow the path of a research scientist.

I was also lucky enough to spend some time with two other principal investigators this summer, Dr. Andy Christie, and Dr. Brian Silliman. In the Christie lab, I tried my hand at neuroendcrinology and dissected the brain of Carcinus maenus, or at least attempted to. Dr. Silliman was a visiting ecologist, who I had the privilege to work with for the last three days of my internship, and aided him with some preliminary research on the effects of Littorina obstusata scarring on Ascophyllum nodosum.

Although most of the time, you would find REU students in the lab (there were many a weekend where I carried around my specimens that were in the long process of clearing) we had a lot of fun too. There was a great group of undergraduates and high school students. We were always up for an adventure, whether it was climbing a mountain we had never hiked before or kayaking to Bar Harbor for an ice cream or just hanging out and listening to some of the students who were amazing musicians play - it was always a good time. I loved the experience I had at MDIBL - not just for the scientific knowledge that I gained but it was a great opportunity to meet leaders in the field as well as other students interested in science research from around the world.

Peter Knowlton

Hometown: Reidsville, NC
School: Duke University
Sponsor: James Coffman, Ph.D., MDIBL
Research Title: Oral-Aboral axis specification in the S. purpuratus embryo

Some of my best and most enjoyable laboratory research experience has actually taken place at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, during my ten-week research internship in Dr. James Coffman's lab last summer. This project focused on the effects of knocking down Runx transcription factor proteins in the sea urchin embryo and involved knocking down transcription factor proteins (SpRunt-1 and CBFBeta) which function in embryological development, and counting cell numbers of these embryos at various stages of development. The overall laboratory experience at MDIBL last summer was terrific, and went beyond work on my project, as I found the weekly seminars, stem cell sympoisum, and actual presentation of my research at the termination of the program to all be extremely stimulating.

Bailey Miles

Hometown: Athens, Ohio
School: Ohio University
Sponsor: Antonio Planchart, Ph.D., MDIBL
Research Title: Defining a novel intronic promoter using promoter bashing

Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory has played an important role in my undergraduate career by providing me with outstanding research experiences that have taught me much about biology and biomedicine. During my internship last summer, I worked in Dr. Antonio Planchart's lab working on a project that defined a novel promoter of a phosphatase involved in signal transduction by promoter bashing (in which the strength of various sizes of the promoter region is measured to determine which regions are most important for promoter function). I had never had any experience with molecular biology research before this, but I quickly learned the techniques working side-by-side with Dr. Planchart at the bench. In addition, I always was learning something new during weekly seminars, symposiums, and conversations with principal investigators and students, and I think MDIBL embodies the spirit of scientific research with its collaborative atmosphere among researchers and students. Because of how much I have enjoyed MDIBL, I plan to do my undergraduate honors thesis with Dr. Planchart this next summer and fall on a project related to epigenetics and arsenic exposure.

For more information on the REU program:
Michael McKernan
Director of Education
207-288-9880 ext. 102
internships@mdibl.org