I am in my final year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Biology department at the University of Vermont. I am interested in how temporal and spatial factors influence the transmission of amphibian disease, specifically Ranavirus. I am working with my advisor Dr. Nicholas Gotelli and with the support of my current and previous labmates: Lindsey Pett, Andrew Nguyen, Amanda Northrop, Alex Burnham, and Emily Beasley.
I am amplifying the MHC gene in experimental Wood Frog tadpoles to determine whether there are genetic differences in susceptible individuals compared to resistant individuals.
Aug 2020 - presentI am investigating whether amphibian diversity is related to Ranavirus prevalence. A positive relationship would be an example of the amplification effect, while a negative relationship would be an example of the dilution effect.
Aug 2019 - presentI collected liver tissue from Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) and Amazonian anuran species to analyze whether the presence and abundance of Ranavirus is associated with the presence and abundance of anuran macroparasites.
January 2019 - presentI collected 4 Wood Frog egg masses from 10 sites and will experimentally infect 5 tadpoles per egg mass (5 controls) to determine if there are differences in how populations respond to ranavirus
May-June 2018I collected toe and tail tissue from 29 sites around Vermont (two time points).
July and Aug. 2017I finished my first field season where I collected toe and tail tissue from 18 sites (7 time points) around Vermont.
May-Aug. 2016I started my journey to obtain my doctorate degree at the University of Vermont, advised by Dr. Nicholas Gotelli.
Aug. 2015I graduated UCL with a Master of Research in Biodiversity, Evolution, and Conservation, completing two species distribution modeling projects during that time.
Sep. 2014I graduated from UF with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.
May 2012R
GIS
Species Distribution Modeling
qPCR
DNA isolation
Unix
Fieldwork
The ranavirus is an amphibian disease causing mass die-offs across the world. It has yet to be documented naturally in Vermont, which is what my research focuses on.
Liatris-novae angliae is a rare flower endemic to New England. I have been working on comparing historic and present occurrences using data from the Natural Heritage programs of various states.
© 2021 Lauren Ash