Current Research
I am currently working in Dr. Hahn's Insect Physiology lab in the UF Entomology Nematology Department. We work with Sarcophaga crassipalpis (A.K.A Flesh flies) that undergo diapause, a dormancy period similar to hibernation, under the right day length and temperature conditions. Since summer 2008 I have been working on a research project that addresses the correlation between hormone levels and respiration in diapausing pupae.
Respirometry Equipment
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For my experiment I used a respirometry set up to measure the oxygen and carbon dioxide consumption of individual pupae. We graphed the respiration of these pupae and collected the hemolymph (blood) of a few pupae during various stages. Then we ran the samples thorough the Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer to measure the hormone levels in the hemolymph.
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Unfortunately my project has not provided much data because the hormone levels in the diapausing pupae are so low that they are below the detection abilities of the GCMS equipment. Since setbacks are an inherent part of science, I am beginning a new project that works with the same fly species but measures resource allocation in adult flies.
Favorite Quotes
“I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man."
- Mahatma Gandhi