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A Review Of Threat Vectors To Dna Sequencing Pipelines, Tyler Rector Dec 2023

A Review Of Threat Vectors To Dna Sequencing Pipelines, Tyler Rector

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

Bioinformatics is a steadily growing field that focuses on the intersection of biology with computer science. Tools and techniques developed within this field are quickly becoming fixtures in genomics, forensics, epidemiology, and bioengineering. The development and analysis of DNA sequencing and synthesis have enabled this significant rise in demand for bioinformatic tools. Notwithstanding, these bioinformatic tools have developed in a research context free of significant cybersecurity threats. With the significant growth of the field and the commercialization of genetic information, this is no longer the case. This paper examines the bioinformatic landscape through reviewing the biological and cybersecurity threats within …

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Margalefidinium Polykrikoides Cyst Resuspension In The Lafayette River, A Sub-Tributary Of The Chesapeake Bay, Gabrielle Greaney, Eduardo Perez Vega, Katherine Crider, Dreux Chappell, Kimberly Powell, Richard Hale, Peter Bernhardt, Margaret Mulholland Mar 2023

Margalefidinium Polykrikoides Cyst Resuspension In The Lafayette River, A Sub-Tributary Of The Chesapeake Bay, Gabrielle Greaney, Eduardo Perez Vega, Katherine Crider, Dreux Chappell, Kimberly Powell, Richard Hale, Peter Bernhardt, Margaret Mulholland

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Harmful Algal Blooms are a collection of algae in a body of water that can cause serious environmental issues and health problems in both people and aquatic organisms. Dinoflagellates are microscopic, unicellular, and eukaryotic organisms that are well known for forming harmful algal blooms because of eutrophication. Coastal Virginia suffers from HABs in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. A common species of dinoflagellate, known as Margalefidinium polykrikoides exists in the Chesapeake Bay. The purpose of this study is to determine if sediment resuspension produced by wind generated surface gravity waves cause cysts (dinoflagellate resting stages) to be suspended into …

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The Effects Of Urbanization On Plant Biodiversity In Southeastern Virginia, Tess Hardesty Mar 2021

The Effects Of Urbanization On Plant Biodiversity In Southeastern Virginia, Tess Hardesty

Undergraduate Research Symposium

This research project investigated the impacts of urbanization on plant species biodiversity within Southeastern Virginia. The hypothesized results of this research were if there was an increase in urbanization, then plant diversity would decrease. Plant biodiversity can increase the decomposition rates, pollination success, and biomass production of the area. Decreasing in plant biodiversity can increase the spread of pathogens through plant populations and increase herbivore damage. There was data compiled from SERNEC herbarium records of four counties, Accomack, Northampton, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach had the largest population increase, which was considered the measurement for urbanization in this study. …

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Digging Out The Devils: Molecular Examination Of Amoeba-Like Cells From Cranial Tissue Of The Endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow, Brandon Hamel Feb 2018

Digging Out The Devils: Molecular Examination Of Amoeba-Like Cells From Cranial Tissue Of The Endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow, Brandon Hamel

Undergraduate Research Symposium

The Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (Hybognathus amarus) is a critically endangered species native to the southwestern United States. Since the 1990s its population has declined dramatically due to extensive human alteration of the Rio Grande for agriculture and civil development. This has resulted in habitat degradation and impedance to proper migration, resulting in the minnow now occupying only 5% of its historical range. An active restocking and recovery program is underway through the US Fish and Wildlife Service involving breeding programs at three New Mexico sites. In the summer of 2012, aquaculture specimens began exhibiting an unusual spinning …

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Calcification Rates Indicate Thermal Stress Tolerance In Belize “Backreef” Corals, David D. Jones Feb 2016

Calcification Rates Indicate Thermal Stress Tolerance In Belize “Backreef” Corals, David D. Jones

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Reef-building corals host symbiotic algae known as zooxanthellae living within their tissues. Exposure to prolonged elevated temperature can cause corals to expel their symbionts and lead to coral bleaching. In this study, corals from Florida and Belize inshore reefs (high temperature variability) and offshore reefs (low temperature variability) were subjected to a 6-week-long heat stress experiment to determine if inshore corals displayed higher stress tolerance than offshore samples. Measurements of calcification rates suggested that Belize’s inshore or “BackReef” corals demonstrated the greatest growth and stress tolerance. Ongoing symbiont density measurements will provide further clues to stress tolerance.

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Damsels In Distress: A Preliminary Assessment Of Pomacentridae Extinction Risk, Allison Roberts Feb 2016

Damsels In Distress: A Preliminary Assessment Of Pomacentridae Extinction Risk, Allison Roberts

Undergraduate Research Symposium

The family Pomacentridae is among the most diverse of the perciformes, boasting 400 different species of damselfish. These fish are found in coral reefs of varying depths around the world, most of which risk great damage due to climate change. In addition, many species are key components of the ornamental aquarium trade. Considering these threats, the importance of examining the state of Pomacentridae is paramount in examining the health of our oceans. Using IUCN Red List methods, preliminary data suggests some species of damselfish are at elevated risk of extinction.

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Undergraduate Research In Biology: Field Studies, Eric Walters Feb 2013