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Dr. Marina Ascunce

Research Interests

  • Host-parasite and environment interactions

  • Biological invasions

  • Climate change
     

Lab Involvement

  • Conceive, plan, conduct, and lead interdisciplinary research on invasive species and microbes

  • Conduct field collections, as well as molecular biology, genetics, genomics, and microbial laboratory and data analyses

  • Mentor members of underrepresented groups in sciences

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Education 

  • Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (2003), University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  • Licentiate in Biological Sciences (1996), University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Teaching - University of Florida

  • Classroom-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) course “Ants and Microbes”

    • Biology Department, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021

    • Sponsored by the Center of Undergraduate Research,, Office of the Provost

  • Course on Art, Science, and Education (CASE):  “Leonardo’s mechanical dragonfly and the evolution of flight in insects"

    • ​Honors Program, Spring 2020

    • Sponsored by the UF Creative Catalysis program, Office of the Provost

  • CASE: “The hidden language of Nature:  The golden ratio in Arts and Nature

    • ​Biology Department, Summer B 2020

    • Sponsored by the UF Creative B program, Office of the Provost

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Personal Interests

  • Science communication:  Translate our scientific research to our non-scientific communities through outreach educational activities

  • Protect our environment:  Help to grow mindfulness in all aspects of our life towards other people as well towards our beautiful home, the Earth

  • Outdoor yoga and meditation, Hugh trees, connecting with Nature and my loved ones

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Contact Dr. Ascunce at ascunce@ufl.edu, or visit her LinkedIn profile.

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Dr. Marie De Gracia Coquerel

Research Interests

  • Plant diseases

  • Coevolution and plant-pathogen interactions

  • Ecology and the environment
     

Lab Involvement

  • Extracting soil and ant DNA (IRIS Project)

  • Investigating the impact of antibiotic application on citrus microbial communities (Citrus Greening Project)

  • Training seven undergraduate students from underrepresented groups in STEM fields

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Education - University of Angers, France

  • Ph.D. Thesis on the impact of apple tree domestication on its pathogens and identifying signatures of selection traits

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Teaching - University of Florida Department of Plant Pathology and Department of Biology

  • Associate instructor for CURE course "Ants & Microbes"

    • Organized lab assignments and taught students about R statistical software​

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Personal Interests

  • Backpacking

  • Practicing entomophagy (eating insects)

  • Biking

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Contact Marie at ma.degracia@ufl.edu, or visit her LinkedIn profile.

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Patricia Perez

Research Interests

  • Community outreach, especially relating to environmental and conservation education

  • Ant microbial gut communities
     

Lab Involvement

  • Extracting soil and ant DNA (IRIS Project)

  • Investigating changes in the microbial gut community in fire ants in different environments and over time by dissecting ants and extracting ant DNA

  • Creating activities to engage schoolchildren in conversations about ants and invasive species (The ImportANTS of Ants Outreach Program)

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Education - University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

  • Environmental Sciences Major

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Teaching

  • Teaching assistant for CURE course "Ants & Microbes"​

    • Set up lab equipment, organized and sanitized classroom, and provided feedback for students' research-based presentations and assignments​

  • Teaching assistant for CASE course "Leonardo's Mechanical Dragonfly and the Evolution of Flight in Insects"

    • Accommodated guest lecturers and provided feedback for students' assignments​
       

Personal Interests

  • Hiking

  • Kayaking

  • Making blankets, clothing, jewelry, pottery, and home murals

  • Doing yoga

  • Cooking

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Contact Patricia at p.perez@ufl.edu, or visit her LinkedIn profile.

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Tori Argenti

Research Interests

  • Zoonotic disease transmission

  • OneHealth (human-animal-environment interactions)

  • Animal behavior

  • Community outreach, especially relating to conservation, disease prevention, and mental health education
     

Lab Involvement

  • Extracting soil and ant DNA (IRIS Project)

  • Creating activities to engage schoolchildren in conversations about ants and invasive species (The ImportANTS of Ants Outreach Program)

  • Creating and maintaining the lab website and other social media platforms

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Education - University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

  • Biology Major

  • Pathogenesis Minor

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Personal Interests

  • Watching old movies

  • Going for walks

  • Practicing calligraphy

  • Doing yoga

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Contact Tori at targenti@ufl.edu, or visit her online portfolio.

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Nabil Chowdhury

Research Interests

  • Microbial diversity

  • Antimicrobial resistance

  • Genetics

  • Medicine and health disparities
     

Lab Involvement

  • Investigating the impact of antibiotic application on citrus microbial communities (Citrus Greening Project)

  • Creating an outreach program on antimicrobial resistance

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Education - University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

  • Microbiology and Cell Sciences Major

  • Health Disparities Minor

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Personal Interests

  • Dancing

  • Listening to music

  • Exploring and adventuring to new places

  • Trying new foods and cuisines

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Contact Nabil at n.chowdhury@ufl.edu.

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Jieli Wegerif

Research Interests

  • Antimicrobial resistance

  • Plant-microbe interactions

  • Plant breeding and genetics

  • Educational outreach, especially relating to food sovereignty and community building
     

Lab Involvement

  • Extracting, quantifying, amplifying, separating, and analyzing soil and plant DNA using 16S (Citrus Greening Project)

  • Using quantitative PCR to determine Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus titer in Huanglongbing infected citrus trees (Undergraduate Scholars Program)

  • Designing content and curriculum to teach primary-school-age children about ants, ecology, and invasive species (ImportANTS of Ants Outreach Program)
     

Education - University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

  • Plant Science Major

  • Chinese Language and Literature Minor
     

Leadership

  • President of Ability. Service. Training. Responsibilities. Achievement. (ASTRA) club at UF

  • Vice President of UF Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) chapter

  • Club Representative for Adapted Sports at UF

  • Recruitment committee member for UF Changemakers’ Dialogue program
     

Personal Interests

  • Exploring Gainesville’s nature trails and food spots

  • Volunteering at community gardens

  • Experimenting with new food/baked good recipes

  • Visiting botanical gardens and museums
     

Contact Jieli at jieliwegerif@ufl.edu, or visit her LinkedIn profile.

Click here to visit the lab member photo gallery.

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