Education. Research Experience

Transcription

1 Education Nicole Lynn Vollmer NOAA/NMFS Smithsonian Institute P.O. Box 37012, National Museum of Natural History Room 59-WC, MRC 0153 Washington, DC Phone: 1(202) ; Fax: 1(202) ; Doctor of Philosophy, Environmental and Evolutionary Biology University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana Advisor: Dr. Patricia Rosel Dissertation: Population structure of common bottlenose dolphins in coastal and offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico revealed by genetic and environmental analyses Master s student, Biology and Marine Biology University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Massachusetts Advisor: Dr. Richard Connor Thesis: The influence of consortships and group size on the production of pops by male bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Shark Bay, Western Australia Bachelor of Science, Marine Biology University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina Advisor: Dr. David Padgett Minors in chemistry and environmental science Honors Thesis: Optimizing growth of Spartina alterniflora in a created salt marsh Research Experience Ph.D. research (August 2005 December 2011): - Examined the genetic differences between coastal and offshore bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) populations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico - Used mitochondrial DNA, nuclear microsatellites, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) - Gained extensive experience with DNA extraction from tissue (skin, blood, muscle), performing PCRs to amplify target DNA fragments, sequencing portions of mtdna, and microsatellite genotyping - Created methods for SNP discovery and genotyping in bottlenose dolphins using techniques associated with Taqman Assays and quantitative real-time PCR - Investigated management and conservation options in conjunction with the results of Ph.D. research to provide accurate population and stock assessment for dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico - Gained experience in both large ship-based surveys and small boat operations and cruise planning for marine mammal research 1

2 Graduate research at UMass Dartmouth (August 2003 May 2005): - Conducted research along with Dr. Richard Connor at UMass Dartmouth examining male bottlenose dolphin vocalizations during consortships with female dolphins - Utilized the programs Signal/RTSD and SAS version to analyze specific vocalizations and associated behavioral responses Undergraduate research at UNC Wilmington (August 1999 May 2003) - Worked as lab assistant for Dr. David Padgett studying marine fungi - Completed honor s project studying created salt marshes, for which I wrote up my findings for my honor s thesis (advised by Dr. Padgett) - Worked as lab assistant for Dr. Laela Sayigh conducting weekly dolphin photo-identification surveys in southeastern North Carolina waters and conducted research pertaining to dolphin behavior and ecology - In both labs I assisted in field and lab experiments and graduate student research Laboratory and Analytical Experience Laboratory techniques: have extensive experience (>6 years) in the following: - Molecular lab techniques and protocols including making chemical reagents for both personal and in-house, lab-wide use - Operation and maintenance of basic lab equipment (centrifuges, ultra cold freezer, pipetman, etc.) - Preparation of tissue (blood, skin, muscle) for extraction, DNA amplification, genotyping, sequencing, and archiving - Preparation of DNA samples for sequencing and microsatellite analysis with ABI 310 and 3130 Laboratory machinery: trained to operate and maintain the following: - PCR thermocyclers (Eppendorf Mastercycler, ABI 9700 and Veriti, MJ PTC-100) - ABI Step-One Plus real time PCR machine - ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer for use with microsatellite genotyping and sequence analysis Laboratory training: responsible for training laboratory technicians in general lab techniques and protocols including database archiving, sample storage, DNA extraction and amplification, genotyping and sequencing Analytical experience: have done extensive work and analyses with the following programs: - STRUCTURE, TESS, and GENELAND to analyze data from microsatellites and SNPs - Miscellaneous genetic analysis programs including Arlequin, GeneMapper, GenAlEx, PHASE, Genepop, FSTAT, jmodeltest, MrBayes, Migrate, and Powsim - Programming in R as well as related R packages for genetic analysis including adegenet - ArcGIS software, specifically ArcMapper, to create maps for general purposes 2

3 Field Experience Salt marsh work: as part of my honor s project at UNC Wilmington I planted and maintained S. alterniflora plants both in a green house as well as in a created salt marsh associated with the Cape Fear River in southeastern North Carolina. This work included regular monitoring of salinity and water levels as well as monitoring of plant growth under multiple fertilization regimes. Marine mammal photo-identification: with Dr. Sayigh (4 years) and Dr. Connor (6 months) I was involved with photo-id of bottlenose dolphins. This work included operating cameras to acquire images of dolphin dorsal fins and then using those imagines to build a database of photographed animals for subsequent matching. Marine mammal surveys (small boat): - For 4 years (Aug May 2003) with Dr. Sayigh I conducted weekly small boat-based surveys of bottlenose dolphins in the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the waters of the Intracoastal Waterway in southeastern North Carolina. This work included driving, docking and maintenance of a 17 center console vessel as well as experience gained in maneuvering safely around marine mammals. I also was responsible for data recording and photographing dolphins for photo-id. - For 6 months (Jun Dec. 2004) with Dr. Connor and Dr. Michael Krützen (U. of Zurich) I conducted daily small boat-based surveys of bottlenose dolphins in Monkey Mia, Western Australia. This work included driving, docking and maintenance of 12 and 14 center console vessels as well as experience gained in maneuvering safely around marine mammals. I also was responsible for data recording and photographing animals for photo-id. - On numerous occasions ( ) with the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center, participated in small boat-based surveys in the offshore Gulf of Mexico, Barataria Bay, LA, and in Mississippi Sound, MS. I was responsible primarily for biopsy sample processing, data recording, and photo-id. Marine mammal surveys (large boat): With NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center, I participated in 4 large boat-based research cruises (aboard NOAA ships Gordon Gunter and PISCES) totaling over three months of at-sea time (between 2005 and 2012). As part of these cruises I participated in small boat work, as a visual observer, sample processing, data recorder, and with acoustic monitoring. Sample processing included handling and storing marine mammal biopsy samples and samples collected from trawling (including sampling and preservation of squid and fish species). Marine mammal biopsy: With Dr. Krützen in Australia I was trained to operate a PAXARMS biopsy system using a modified 0.22 caliber rifle for remote collection of skin and blubber samples from marine mammals. 3

4 Teaching Experience Biology Teacher Lake Wales High School, Lake Wales, FL ( ) - Certified for International Baccalaureate (IB) standard and higher level biology (Category 1, 2) - Taught 9 th and 10 th grade honors biology and pre-ib biology - Taught 11 th grade IB biology - Designed curriculum and labs for all classes Teaching Assistant University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA ( ) - Taught introductory biology labs for undergraduate students - Over three semesters this included one-hour lecture classes 2-3 times per week and three-hour labs once per week - Developed and presented appropriate material for each class - Created and directed experiments, exams, class projects and discussions Biology Tutor for the Princeton Review, Newton, MA (2005) - Tutored high school students for the biology SATs following a Princeton Review curriculum - Included 1 two-hour class each week Biology Tutor University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA ( ) - Provided assistance for level biology, chemistry and math classes Tutor for the Princeton Review, Providence, RI (2004) - Developed lessons and activities in both reading and math for student in 6 th and 7 th grade - This included 1 three-hour class each week Publications Vollmer NL and Rosel PE A review of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico: population biology, potential threats, and management. Southeastern Naturalist 12(m6):1-43. Vollmer NL and Rosel PE Developing genomic resources for the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): isolation and characterization of 153 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 53 genotyping assays. Molecular Ecology Resources 12: Bracken-Grissom HD, Felder DL, Vollmer NL, Martin JW, and Crandall KA Phylogenetics links monster larva to deep-sea shrimp. Ecology and Evolution 2: Rosel PE, Mullin KD, Garrison L, Schwacke L, Adams J, Balmer B, Conn P, Conroy MJ, Eguchi T, Gorgone A, Hohn A, Mazzoli M, Schwarz C, Sinclair C, Speakman T, Urian K, Vollmer N, Wade P, Wells R, and Zolman E Photo-identification capture-mark-recapture techniques for estimating abundance of bay, sound and estuary populations of bottlenose dolphins along the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico: a workshop report. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS- SEFSC p. Vollmer NL, Viricel A, Wilcox L, Moore MK, and Rosel PE The occurrence of mtdna heteroplasmy in multiple cetacean species. Current Genetics 57:

5 Connor RC and Vollmer NL Sexual coercion in dolphin consortships: a comparison with chimpanzees. Pgs in Muller MN and Wrangham RW, eds. Sexual coercion in primates and humans: an evolutionary perspective on male aggression against females. Harvard University Press. Vollmer NL and Rosel PE CSI Lafayette: cetacean stranding identification. STRANDINGS Newsletter Spring/Summer Vollmer NL and Rosel PE. In prep. Identifying common bottlenose dolphin populations in offshore and coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico using multiple molecular markers. To be submitted to Molecular Ecology. Vollmer NL and Rosel PE. In prep. Environmental correlates to common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) populations in coastal and offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Vollmer NL and Connor RC. In prep. The influence of consortships and group size on the occurrence of the pop vocalization in bottlenose dolphins. To be submitted to Animal Behavior. Selected Presentations 19 th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Tampa Bay, Florida (2011). Vollmer NL and Rosel PE. The use of single nucleotide polymorphisms to discriminate populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Gulf of Mexico. Oral presentation. 18 th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Québec City, Québec (2009). Vollmer NL and Rosel PE. Using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to examine the differences between coastal and offshore populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Gulf of Mexico. Oral presentation. Evolution, Moscow, Idaho (2009). Vollmer NL and Rosel PE. Using mitochondrial and nuclear data to examine differences between populations of bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. Oral presentation. 16 th Annual Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Marine Mammal Symposium, Charleston, South Carolina (2008). Vollmer NL and Rosel PE. Using mitochondrial DNA to examine the differences between coastal and offshore populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Gulf of Mexico. Oral presentation. 9 th Annual Graduate Student Symposium, Lafayette, Louisiana (2008). Vollmer NL and Rosel PE. Using mitochondrial DNA to examine the differences between coastal and offshore populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Gulf of Mexico. Oral presentation (2 nd place for best oral presentation). 6 th Annual Graduate Student Symposium, Lafayette, Louisiana (2005). Vollmer NL. Optimizing growth of Spartina alterniflora in a created salt marsh. Oral presentation. 5

6 Awards and Grants National Research Council Research Associateship Award 2013 UL Lafayette Graduate Student Organization Grant Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research Program Award 2008 John Bowley Derieux Research Award 2003 Chancellor s Achievement Award 2003 SEASPACE Scholarship 2002 UNCW Honors Program General Scholarship 2001, 2002 UNCW Undergraduate Research Fellowship 2001 Lucille Murchinson Marvin Scholarship UNCW Book Store Scholarship 2000, 2001 Additional Information Reviewer for manuscripts in Marine Mammal Science Member of the Society for Marine Mammalogy Certified for open water SCUBA (NAUI) Hobbies include playing volleyball (both indoor and sand) and watching professional sports (especially partial to Pittsburgh Penguins and Steelers) 6