Research Publications Page

PROJECTS:

• Evolutionary Biology, Phylogenetics, & Protein Structure 

  • Phylogenetic linear regressions and protein structure predictions to identify macroevolutionary trends potentially responsible for the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

• Invasive Species Communication Fieldwork 

  • Fieldwork in Brookfield Park, Queens, New York City to provide recommendations for community-driven signage on management of invasive species. Collaboration with the City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation.

• Exoplanetary Spectroscopy and Telluric Corrections 

  • Developed new statistical assessment methods to improve the accuracy of exoplanet atmospheric spectral analysis. Determined an ideal airmass range for observation proposals of exoplanet atmospheres.

• Biophysics, Optics, & Antibiotic Resistance 

  • Assessed bacterial attachment rates using optical tweezers to investigate antibiotic resistance. Demonstrated that predatory bacterial attachment via Type IV pili on prey E. coli occurs significantly faster than previously understood.

• Genomics and Post-Wildfire Extremophiles

  • Conducted metagenomic analysis, PCR, and 16S sequencing to investigate soil bacterial diversity and isolate extremophiles capable of withstanding high heat in wildfire-affected regions.

• Solar System Spectroscopy

  • Observed and analyzed Martian and Venusian atmospheres using spectroscopy on a 14” Celestron with diffraction gratings and a CCD.

• Phenology

  • Designed and implemented phenological data collection and submission protocols. Phenology here refers to the cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena in plants.