Agricultural and Biological Sciences Faculty Research Interests

Dr. Brett Berke, PhD
University of Iowa
bberke@truman.edu

Research in our lab uses the genetic tool kit of fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to identify molecular mechanisms of synapse formation, animal behavior, and neurodegeneration. We study how mutations alter development of the larval neuromuscular junction and how they affect distinct aspects of larval crawling behavior. We also use mutations to address how neurons die in fly models of neurological illness.

Check out these papers to learn more about research in the Berke lab:

A. Galbraith, S. Leone, K. Stuart, J. Emery, M. K. Renkemeyer, N. Pritchett, L. Galbraith, H. Stuckmeyer, and B. Berke. 2021. Reducing the expression of the Numb adaptor protein in neurons increases the searching behavior of Drosophila larvae. microPublication Biology.

M. Thies and B. Berke. 2020. A role for the Fem-1 gene of Drosophila melanogaster in adult courtship. bioRxiv.

E. M. McNeill, C. Thompson, B. Berke, V. T. Chou, J. Rusch, A. Duckworth, J. DeProto, A. Taylor, J. Gates, F. Gertler, H. Keshishian, and D. Van Vactor. 2020. Drosophila enabled promotes synapse morphogenesis and regulates active zone form and function. Neural Development 15: 1-13.

B. Berke, L. Le, and H. Keshishian. 2019. Target-Dependent Retrograde Signaling Mediates Synaptic Plasticity at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction. Developmental Neurobiology 79: 895-912.

B. Berke, J. Wittnam, and H. Keshishian. 2013. Retrograde BMP Sign.aling at the Synapse: A Permissive Signal for Synapse Maturation and Activity-Dependent Plasticity. Journal of Neuroscience 33: 17937-17950.

Dr. Sarah Berke, PhD
University of Iowa
sberke@truman.edu

My research interests include the scholarship of teaching and learning, science education, and teacher professional development strategies. I also study science anxiety, motivation and attitude.

Check out these papers to learn more about research in the Berke lab:

Udo M.K., G.P. Ramsey, J.V. Mallow. 2004. Science Anxiety and Gender in Students Taking General Education Science Courses. Journal of Science Education and Technology 13: 435-446.

Mallow, J.V. 2006. Science anxiety: research and action. Handbook of college science teaching, pp.3-14.

Dr. Maria Beatriz de Souza Cortez
University of Florida (Ph.D)
University of Campinas (Masters)
mbscortez@truman.edu

Broadly, my research interests include plant systematics, taxonomy and conservation. I am particularly interested in understanding the relationship between spatial distribution and the evolutionary history of plants, which can shed light on patterns of phylogenetic diversity.

My interest in conservation mostly relates to a relatively new field named biocultural conservation, which aims to align the protection of flora and fauna with the needs and culture of locals and indigenous populations.

Most of my research has been focused on Brazilian plants, more specifically those occurring in the campos rupestres. The grassy and rocky landscape of this vegetation type is ripe with biodiversity. Amongst the most important plants in the region are the sempre vivas, a group of plants that have been harvested by local communities as a means of subsistence.

Finally, I am also interested in expanding outreach efforts that connect university and community.

Check out these papers to learn more about research in the Beatriz lab:

Soltis, D.E., Smocovitis, V.B., Pham, K.K., Cortez, M.B.S., Smith, A.L. and Soltis, P.S. (2023) Rethinking the Ph.D. dissertation in botany: Widening the circle. American Journal of Botany, 110: e16136.

De Souza Cortez, M.B.,Folk, R.A., Grady, C.J., Spoelhof, J.P., Smith, S.A., Soltis, D.E., Soltis, P.S., (2021) Is the age of plant communities predicted by the age, stability and soil composition of the underlying landscapes? An investigation of OCBILs, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 133(2): 297–316.

Cortez, M.B.S., Sforça, D.A., Alves, F.M., Vidal, J.D., Alves-Pereira, A., Mori, G.M., Andreotti, I.A., Do Nascimento, J.E., Bittrich, V., Zucchi, M.I., Amaral, M.C.E., Souza, A.P., (2019) Elucidating the Clusia criuva species ‘complex’: cryptic taxa can exhibit great genetic and geographical variation, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 190(1): 67–82.

Dr. Joey Hubbard, PhD
University of Colorado Boulder
jhubbard@truman.edu

My research interests center around avian ecology, animal behavior, and evolution. Much of my research has aimed to understand the mechanisms that influence colorful plumage in birds by examining how colorful traits are used in mate choice and their role in the process of speciation. Recently, I have been studying the dynamics between Eastern bluebirds and ectoparasites that live in their nests.

Student-led projects in the Hubbard Lab have taken many forms and students are encouraged to explore their interests within the areas of ornithology, behavior, ecology, and evolution. For example, students have examined plumage color measurement methodology, responses and habituation to real and mimicked predator calls at bird feeders, and prevalence of window strikes on Truman’s campus.

Check out these papers to learn more about research in the Hubbard lab:

Hubbard, J.K. & Z.W.D. Williard. 2023. Spectra of feather samples are impacted by the substrate color against which they are measured. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 135: 1-9.

Hubbard, J.K., J.A.C. Uy, M.E. Hauber, H.E. Hoekstra, R.J. Safran. 2012 Vertebrate pigmentation from underlying genes to adaptive function. Trends in Genetics 26: 231-239.

Hubbard J.K. B.R. Jenkins, R.J. Safran. 2015. Quantitative genetics of plumage color: Lifetime effects of early nest environment on a colorful sexual signal. Ecology and Evolution 5: 3436-3449.

Dr. Stephen Hudman, PhD
University of Vermont
shudman@truman.edu

Students working in my lab use PCR-based data collection techniques and modern statistical methods to address questions about natural populations. Examples include describing contemporary genetics structure in natural populations using DNA fingerprints and presence/absence of disease-causing fungi in local populations.

Check out these papers to learn more about research in the Hudman lab:

Pasachnik, S.A. and S.P. Hudman. 2016. Conservation genetics of Roatán spiny-tailed iguanas, Ctenosaura oedirhina. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 11: 187-196.

Lennon C., S.P. Hudman, C.E. Montgomery. 2014. Assessment of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infection level in amphibians of Wakonda State Park, Missouri, USA. Herpetological Review, 45: 40.

Hudman S.P. and K.B. Gido. 2013. Multi-scale effects of impoundments on genetic structure of creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) in the Kansas River basin. Freshwater Biology 58: 441-453.

Dr. Bob Johnson
University of California, Davis
bjohnson@truman.edu

Dr. Josh Kraft
Purdue University
jkraft@truman.edu

Dr. John Ma, PhD
Penn State University
johnma@truman.edu

 

My current research interest centers on plant mineral nutrition in a changing climate, with a focus on mechanisms of plant nutrient uptake in response to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

Check out this paper to learn more about research in the Ma lab:

Zhong, M.A., J. Flynn, G. Libra, Z. Shi. 2018. Elevated CO₂ accelerates depletion of phosphorus by common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in association with altered leaf biochemical properties. Pedosphere 28: 422-429.

Dr. Hajeewaka Mendis
Florida State University
hmendis@truman.edu

My research focuses on,

1. The function of bacterial exopolysaccharides during root infection and symbiosis of nitrogen fixing bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti and legume plant Medicago truncatula.
2. Importance of bacterial exopolysaccharides in biofilm formation.
3. Controlling invasive legume plants such as Kudzu (Pueraria montana) using biocontrol methods.
4. Molecular characterization of pathogenic Fusarium species in soybeans and evaluation of the effectiveness of cover crops to control Fusarium disease incidence.

Here’s more about my research:

Mendis, H. C., Madzima, T. F., Queiroux, C. & Jones, K. M. (2016). Function of succinoglycan polysaccharide in Sinorhizobium meliloti host plant invasion depends on succinylation, not molecular weight. mBio, 7(3), e00606-16. DOI: 10.1128/ mBio.00606-16.

Mendis, H. C., Queiroux, C., Brewer, T. E., Davis, O. M., Washburn, B. K., & Jones, K.M. (2013). The Succinoglycan endoglycanase encoded by exoK is required for efficient symbiosis of Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 with the host plants Medicago truncatula and Medicago sativa (Alfalfa). Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, 26(9), 1089-1105.

Mendis, H. C., Thomas, V. P., Schwientek, P., Salamzade, R., Chien, J. T., Waidyarathne, P., & De La Fuente, L. (2018). Strain-specific quantification of root colonization by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria Bacillus firmus I-1582 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 in non-sterile soil and field conditions. PloS one. 13(2): e0193119. doi.org/ 10.1371/journal.pone.0193119.

Dr. Chad Montgomery, PhD
University of Arkansas
chadmont@truman.edu

I am working with students to examine questions related to the natural history, physiological ecology, and conservation of reptiles and amphibians. Specifically, I am interested in how these organisms interact with their environment and what factors may be negatively impacting populations. I work with students on local northern Missouri projects, including natural history, ecology, and chytrid fungus infection. I also work internationally examining insular dwarfism in Boa imperator in Cayos Cochinos, Honduras.

Check out these papers to learn more about research in the Montgomery lab:

Muelleman, P.J., O. DaCunha, and C.E. Montgomery. 2018. Crotalus horridus (Timber Rattlesnake) maternal scent trailing by neonates. Northeastern Naturalist 25: 50-55.

Taylor, H.L., A.J. Wilmes, C.E. Montgomery, L.J. Livo, and J.M. Walker. 2017. Recent northward range expansion of parthenogenetic Aspidoscelis tesselata in Colorado, a latitudinal baseline for the species, and a new hypothesis for the allopatry of pattern classes C and D at the northern periphery of the range. Southwestern Naturalist 62: 179-186.

Montgomery, C.E. 2017. Dwarfism in the Cayos Cochinos Boa Constrictor, Boa imperator. Serpens, 5: 4-5.

Dr. Joyce Patrick, PhD
Indiana University Bloomington
jpatrick@truman.edu

I study the regulation of gene expression in Bacteria. I am most interested in the genes controlling the processes of swarming motility, biofilm formation, and sporulation in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. I also study how pesticides and other substances influence these processes.

Check out these papers to learn more about research in the Patrick lab:

Erin I. Hayes and Joyce E. Patrick. yozG is needed for swarming motility in the undomesticated Bacillus subtilis strain NCIB 3610. Transactions of the Missouri Academy of Science. 49 (2022): 27–35.

Patrick, J.E. and D.B. Kearns. 2012. Swarming motility and the control of master regulators of flagellar biosynthesis. Molecular Microbiology. 83: 14-23.

Newton, R., Amstutz, J. and Patrick,  J.E. 2020. Biofilm formation by Bacillus subtilis is altered in the presence of pesticides. Access Microbiology.

Joyce E. Patrick and John Z. Zhu. Video Making Tips for Laboratory Instructors. CourseSource 9.

Dr. R. Drew Sieg, PhD
Georgia Institute of Technology
rsieg@truman.edu

My background is in marine chemical ecology. At Truman, I facilitate student research in a variety of topics, such as chemical defenses produced by local freshwater plants and the impact of climate on plant-pathogen dynamics. I also conduct research into scholarship of teaching and learning, focusing on community science and civic engagement initiatives.

Check out these papers to learn more about research in the Sieg lab:

Sieg RD, Hubbard JK, Penczykowski RM, Willard M, and Dwyer Z. 2023. A novel course-based experience to promote ecological field skills during the COVID-19 pandemic: Plantago as a tool for hybrid ecology coursework. Science Education and Civic Engagement: An International Journal. 15(1): 31-41.

Penczykowski RM and Sieg RD. 2021. Plantago spp. as models for studying the ecology and evolution of species interactions across environmental gradients. The American Naturalist. 198(1): 158-176.

Sieg RD, Wolfe K, Willey D, Kubanek J. 2013. Chemical defenses against grazers and fungi limit establishment of fungal farms on salt marsh angiosperms. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 446:122-130.

Poulson K.L.*, R.D. Sieg*, E.K. Prince, J. Kubanek. 2010. Allelopathic compounds of a red tide dinoflagellate have species-specific and context-dependent impacts on phytoplankton. Marine Ecology Progress Series 416: 69-78. (* denotes joint first authorship).

Sieg R.D., D. Willey, K. Wolfe, J. Kubanek. 2013. Multiple chemical defenses produced by Spartina alterniflora deter farming snails and their fungal crop. Marine Ecology Progress Series 488: 35-49.

Dr. Tony Weisstein, PhD
Washington University in St. Louis
weisstae@truman.edu

My work focuses on developing course materials, particularly simulations and Excel files, that illustrate how to apply core mathematical principles to understand biological questions. These principles range from simple arithmetic to linear algebra and game theory; the biological systems range from chemical reactions within a cell to the structure of ecosystems.

Check out these papers to learn more about research in the Weisstein lab:

Weisstein, A.E., E. Gracheva, Z. Goodwin, Z. Qi, W. Leung, C.D. Shaffer, and S.C.R. Elgin. 2016. A hands-on introduction to hidden Markov models. CourseSource 3.

Weisstein, A.E. 2011. Building mathematical models and biological insight in an introductory biology course. Mathematica Models of Natural Phenomenon 6: 198-214.

Weisstein, A.E. 2010. The case of the protective protein: Using a population genetics simulation in an undergraduate lab course to test hypotheses for the evolution of an HIV resistance allele. Biology International 47: 109-116.