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Defended and Graduated
February 2003
Thesis:
Genetic variation among geographically isolated populations of the commercially important sea cucumber, Isostichopus fuscus,
in the eastern Pacific
Thesis Abstract:
My thesis focused on population genetics of the sea cucumber, Isostichopus
fuscus. Recent commercial fishing pressure, due to an increase in public
demand, in the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador has brought attention
to this fishery. I used molecular techniques to determine the presense
or absence of gene flow between geographically isolated populations
of this sea cucumber. If gene flow is restricted between geographically
distinct populations of I. fuscus, indicating demographic independence,
then more stringent enforcement of fishing regulations may need to
be implemented to preserve the integrity of the Galapagos Archipelago sea cucumber population.
Education:
BS in Marine Biology from College of Charleston (South Carolina)
Current Employment:
Research Technician at the Medical University
of South Carolina in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Physiology & Neuroscience.
The research focuses primarily on the molecular mechanisms involved in retinal
degeneration and neural protection.
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