Current GVSU Graduate Students

o   MacKay, Samantha (BMS) – 2016  “Chronic Effects of Nonylphenol on Reproductive Behavior, Physiology, and Development of Crayfish." (2016 Presidential Research Grant Awardee)

Current GVSU Undergraduate Students

o    Andringa, Ryan (BMS)  – 2014.  Winner and loser effects in crayfish.

o    Brereton, Caroline (BMS) – 2015. Nonylphenol research

o    Chui, Kevin (BMS) – 2015. Responses to predator odors.

o    Debruine, Nathan (BMS) – 2015. Nonylphenol research

o    Hayden, Nolan (BMS) – 2015.  Investigating female aggressive interactions (Student Scholarship Day poster 2015).

o    Klein, Edwin (Joey) (BMS) – 2013-15.  “An investigation of the intrinsic and extrinsic influences on the aggressive behavior of crayfish” (Student Summer Scholar 2014; Student Scholarship Day poster 2015). Joey presented his work in West Palm Beach, FL at the 2015 Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology meeting. Joey will be studying at the University of Michigan Medical School.

o    Kothari, Parin (BMS) – 2014. Potential feminization of crayfish due to pollutants effects.

o    Miller, Kristen (BMS) – 2015. Analysis of agonistic interactions.

o    Phillips, Maxwell (BMS)  – 2015.  Analysis of the Chemical Communication System of Crayfish in an Aggressive Context (Student Summer Scholars Applicant 2016)

o    Reynolds, Chase (BMS) – 2015. Analysis of agonistic interactions.

o    Rozema, Nick (BMS) – 2015. Nonylphenol research

o    Ruvina, Kristi (BMS) – 2014. "Neuropharmacological alterations of the aggressive behavior of crayfish" (Student Summer Scholar 2015; Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology meeting 2015; Student Scholarship Day poster 2015). Kristi presented his work in West Palm Beach, FL at the 2015 Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology meeting.

o    Semaan, Nicholas (BMS) – 2014. Pollutant effects on mating behavior.

o    Szostak, Katie (BMS) – 2014. Responses to predator odors.

o    Talley, Brett (BMS) – 2015. Investigating crayfish plague, a fungal infection.

Past GVSU Graduate Students

o    Clore, Jayson (BMS) – 2013-14 – “Investigation of the Definitive Age of Freshwater Decapod Crustaceans,  Orconectes propinquus and Procambarus clarkii, via Growth Bands in the Calcified Regions of the Eyestalk and Gastric Mill.”  (2013 Presidential Research Grant Awardee)  Jayson is currently attending dental school at A.T. Still University in Missouri.

o    Klutts Jennifer (BMS) – 2010-12 – “Effect of Exercise on Crayfish Neurogenesis.” Jennifer is currently teaching at Grand Rapids Community College

o    Page, Kathryn (BMS) – 2010-13 – “Effects of Nonylphenol on the Orientation Ability of Crayfish” Kate is currently working as a Quality Control Chemistry Analyst. (2011 Presidential Research Grant Awardee)

o    Tran, Justin (BMS) – 2013-16 – “Assessment of Food Quality via Evaluation of the Intensity of Aggressive  Interactions" (Student Scholarship Day poster 2015).  Justin’s work was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Arthur Martin at Saginaw Valley State University, MI and Dr. Anya Goldina at Elizabethtown College, PA.

Past GVSU Undergraduate Students

o    Adams, Christopher (CMB) – 2011-13. Neurophysiological records from motor and sensory neurons using crayfish exposed to the pollutant analogs alkylphenol and nonylphenol (Student Scholarship Day poster and talk 2012; Cellular and Molecular Biology Seminar Series 2012). Chris is currently in medical school at Michigan State University in the College of Human Medicine.

o    Beni, Molly (BMS)  – 2014-15.  Analysis of agonistic interactions.

o    Berwanger, Josh (BMS) – 2015-16. Pollutant effects on mating behavior; data analysis of male agonistic interactions

o    Boeve, Matthew (BMS & Honors) – 2009-11. “Visual learning and discrimination of abstract shapes by crayfish.” (Student Scholarship Day poster 2011, Student Summer Scholars Program 2010 and Honors Thesis). Matt is currently at the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Pikeville.

o    Bower, Alec (BMS) – 2007-09. Loser and winner influences on aggressive outcomes. Dr. Alec Bower received his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from Michigan State University.

o    Carlson, Abigail (BIOL) – 2012-14. Social enrichment effects on neurogenesis in crayfish (Student Summer Scholars Program 2013; Student Scholarship Day Poster 2014). Abby is planning to attend a Physician Assistant program.

o    Cronin, Becky (BMS) – 2012-14. Operant conditioning of crayfish to light cues. (Student Scholarship Day Poster 2014)

o    Farley, Ryan (BMS) – 2012-13. Environmental influences on the aggression of crayfish. Ryan is currently enrolled at Michigan State University in the College of Human Medicine.

o    Frisbie, Jake (BMS) – 2008-09. Analysis of chemicals used in aggressive communication. (Student Scholarship Day poster 2009). Dr. Jake Frisbie received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from A.T. Still University in Missouri.

o    Gauthier, Steve (BMS) – 2009-10. “Sublethal exposure to two alkylphenolic compounds and their influence on development, growth and reproductive behavior of crayfish.”  (Student Scholarship Day poster 2010 and Student Summer Scholars Program 2009). Steve has completed a Masters Degree at Bowling Green State University in the Department of Biological Sciences.

o    Goote, Paige (BMS) – 2010-12. Assisted Matt Boeve with completion of his project; Also completed study entitled “Crayfish as a potential control for zebra mussel populations.” (Student Scholarship Day poster 2012; Student Summer Scholars Program 2011). She presented her research work at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology’s meeting in Charleston, SC in 2012.  Paige is currently in medical school at Michigan State University in the College of Human Medicine.

o    Gukasov, Mamikon (Mike) (BMS) – 2009-11. Invasive species and winner/loser effects. Mike is currently enrolled at Michigan State University in the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

o    Gukasov, Sergey (BMS) – 2007-09. Invasive species and size effects on aggression. Dr. Sergey Gukasov received his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from Michigan State University.

o    Horness, Torrey (BMS) – 2009-10. Neural degeneration. Torrey currently works for Spectrum Health in research.

o    Husaini (Esmail), Fatema (BMS & Honors) – 2008-09. “Orientation strategies of crayfish when incurring damage to their olfactory chemoreceptors.” (Honors Thesis, Student Scholarship Day poster 2009, and received the Mid East Honors Association Best Poster Award 2009). Dr. Fatema (Esmail) Husaini received her Doctorate of Medicine (M.D.) from Wayne State University.

o    Johns, Joshua (BMS) – 2011-12. Operant conditioning of crayfish. Currently enrolled in graduate school at Wayne State University.

o    Johnson, Nick (BMS) – 2012-13. Investigation of nociception in crayfish.

o    Johnston, Tyler (BMS)  – 2015.  Analysis of agonistic interactions.

o    Kersjes, Eric (BMS) – 2013-14. The effects of triclosan on Crayfish, Orconectes propinquus.  (Honors Thesis).  Eric is currently studying medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School.

o    Landrum, Charity (BMS) – 2013-14. “Behavioral changes in crayfish after mechanical injury to test nociception and pain responses.”  Charity is currently performing research with Davenport University.

o    Le, Kimlihn (BMS) – 2013-14. Cerebral ganglia preservation and sectioning.

o    Malinoski, Holly (BMS) – 2012-13. “Classical Conditioning of Crayfish via LED Cue Coupling with Food” (Honors Thesis; Student Scholarship Day Poster 2014). Holly currently studies at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry.

o    Meade, Stephen (BIOL & Honors) – 2009-10. “Demonstration of loser effects in a novel crayfish species, Orconectes virilis.” (Honors Thesis). Dr. Steve Meade  received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (D.S.S) from the University of Michigan.

o    Miller, Guy (BMS) – 2011-12.  Winner and loser effects in Orconectes propinquus. Guy currently works for Mercy Health.

o    Owens, Shelby (BMS & Honors) – 2015-16. Investigating crayfish plague, a fungal infection.

o    Reid, Ryan (BMS) – 2010-11. Worked with Aaron Steele by continuing work on the effects of pollutants (alkylphenols) on crayfish development and changes in olfactory-mediated behavior.

o    Rytlewski, William (BMS) – 2011. Worked on the potential consequences of alterations in antennae length influencing fight outcome and duration. William received a Biomedical Engineering Masters from Grand Valley State University.

o    Scerbak, Elizabeth (NUR) – 2007. Basic neurochemistry of aggression and currently resides in Alaska and is a graduate of GVSU’s nursing program.

o    Shoop, John (BMS) – 2015-16. Cold tolerance of the Louisiana crayfish, Procambarus clarkii

o    Sligh (Clawson), Sarah (BMS) – 2011-13.  Crayfish predation on zebra mussels. Sarah’s work was presented in San Francisco, CA at the 2013 Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Meeting. Sarah is currently graphic designer.

o    Snoap, Tyler (BMS) – 2008-09. Chemical release for olfactory communication. (Student Scholarship Day poster 2009). Dr. Tyler Snoap received his Doctorate of Medicine (M.D.) from Michigan State University.

o    Steele, Aaron (BMS) – 2009-11. Chemical pollutant effects on development. (Student Scholarship Day poster 2011). Dr. Aaron Steele received his Doctorate of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from the University of California, San Francisco.

o    Swanson, Brittne (BMS & Honors) – 2015-16. Investigating crayfish plague, a fungal infection.

o    Swick, Robert (BMS) – 2010. Review paper on aggression. “Chemical effects on crayfish and the resulting behavior:  emphasis on crayfish serotonin levels”

o    Swift, Kevin (BMS) – 2012-14. Toxicology research with crayfish. “The enduring effects of nonylphenol exposure on the orientation and olfactory abilities of the crayfish.” Kevin presented his work in the form of a talk at the Michigan Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters meeting in 2014. Kevin is currently enrolled in the Physiology Ph.D. program at the University of Michigan.

o    Tarahomi, Justin (BMS) – 2015. Analysis of agonistic interactions.

o    Thompson, Josh (BMS) – 2014. Analysis of agonistic interactions.

o    Thomas, Norrissa (BMS) – 2007-10. Crayfish biodiversity and distribution. “Examination of crayfish biodiversity and distribution within the Grand River, Michigan.” (Student Scholarship Day poster 2009 and Student Summer Scholars Program 2008). She presented her research work at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology’s meeting in Boston, MA in 2009.

o    Tran, Giao (BMS) 2010-11 – Winner/loser effect alterations on aggression. Giao currently resides in Seattle, WA and is planning to attend medical school there.

o    Waalkes, William (BMS) – 2011-13. “Pollutant effects on neurophysiological recording from sensory and motor neurons of Orconectes propinquus” (Student Scholarship Day poster 2013; Student Summer Scholars Program 2012). Will presented his work in San Francisco, CA at the 2013 Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology meeting. Will is currently working on a physics Ph.D. at the University of Michigan.  He is also research with the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

o    Yacob, Sammy (BMS) – 2008. Aggressive behavior and invasive mussels. Dr. Sammy Yacob received his Doctorate of Medicine (M.D.) from Michigan State University.