NSF RESEARCH INTERNSHIP INCLUDES FIELDWORK ON GUAM, ANALYSIS AT HARVARD

Megan Volsteadt, a University of Guam senior majoring in biology, was selected to participate in a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded internship opportunity with Dr. Jingchun Li, a NSF postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University’s Cavanaugh Lab.

Dr. Li is on island through the end of February working out of the UOG Marine Lab and researching the symbiotic marine cockle Fraginae, which is a specific mollusk subfamily. “It is a perfect setting,” said Dr. Li. “I knew the species could be found in Guam and the Marine Lab faculty have been very supportive of my work.”

“I love it,” said Volsteadt who is assisting Dr. Li both in the field and in the lab. “Fieldwork consists of snorkeling for a couple of hours collecting samples.” Back at the lab they process the samples and collect tissue.

The first phase of the internship wraps up at the end of February, but Volsteadt will travel to Boston this summer for the second phase of her internship and will spend eight weeks under the tutelage of Dr. Li at Harvard University. Volsteadt will undergo training in molecular biology techniques, genomic analyses, and statistical inferences.  Volsteadt will also assist Dr. Li in analyzing DNA sequencing data and performing microscopic studies using Harvard computing and imaging facilities.

Li’s goal is to understand the cockles’ evolutionary adaptations to photosymbiosis using genomic and morphometric approaches, including reconstructing 3D models of the cockle shells. The cockle hosts algae in its body and uses the algae to photosynthesize light into energy.

Volsteadt’s internship opportunity is the result of collaborative efforts between Dr. Li, the UOG Marine Lab, the UOG Biology Department and administrative support from the Research Corporation of the University of Guam. Volsteadt, a 2011 graduate of Simon Sanchez High School, was selected by her UOG biology professor Dr. Curt Fiedler and Dr. Li to participate in the research internship. 

Photo (L to R): Volsteadt and Dr. Li 

For more information contact:
Cathleen Moore-Linn at (671) 735-0250 or cmoore@uguam.uog.edu
Dr. Jingchun Li at jingchunli@fas.harvard.edu