Research Focus
Our research group is focused on (1) understanding the behavior of chemical and biological contaminants in environmental systems and (2) optimizing strategies to minimize the risk posed by these contaminants to human and ecosystem health.
Some of our current projects include:
- Environmental impact of herbicides on air and water quality.
- Fate of emerging biotechnology-enabled RNA biopesticides in the environment.
- Control of genetically engineered organisms in the environment.
Skills, Techniques, and Methods
Students will primarily learn laboratory skills including preparing experimental materials, performing experiments, and analyzing results. Instruments that may be used include, but are not limited to, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, pH meters, UV spectrophotometers, and qPCR. Projects focused on biological contaminants will also involve learning sterile technique and plating.
Research Conditions
The student should expect to engage primarily in on-campus lab work in addition to literature review and data analysis. Depending on the project, some opportunities for field work may be available.
Team Structure and Opportunities
Undergraduates will meet regularly with Dr. Parker as well as attend weekly group meetings. They will also be paired with one of 4 PhD students for additional mentorship. It is expected that early research experiences will primarily occur with the PhD mentor present for training and guidance, with opportunities for independent work developing in tandem with increased experience in the laboratory.
