The mechanisms of thyroid hormone signaling in echinoid larvae.

Current Research interests
Thyroid hormones (THs) function in vertebrate development and metabolism but also effect non-vertebrates such as tunicates, cephalochordates and echinoderms (sea urchins, sea stars etc.). Specifically, studies have shown THs accelerate development in echinoderm larvae and preliminary evidence for endogenous THs synthesis exists. Iodine, the essential component of THs, is abundant in marine environments and various organisms, including phytoplankton, bioaccumulate and metabolize this element. Moreover, as zooplankton, such as larval echinoderms, consume phytoplankton, iodine, THs and TH-precursors may be shuttled through the marine ecosystem. My research focuses on the acquisition and production of thyroid hormones in echinoid larvae using the purple urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) as my focus echinoderm along with selected unicellular algae species. My overarching research question is: How do echinoid (sea urchin and sand dollar) larvae acquire thyroid hormones, which seem to be acting as a developmental signal?

Professional Development
Ph.D. of Integrative Biology Student: The University of Guelph Department of Integrative Biology.
B.Sc. (Hon):    The University of Guelph Bachelor's of Science in Marine and Freshwater Biology.  Graduation: June 2008

Publications and Contributions

• Miller, A.E.M. and Heyland, A. Endocrine Interactions Between Plants and Animals: Implications of exogenous hormone sources for the evolution of development. General and Comparative Endocrinology. In Press.
• Layman, C.A., Dahlgren, C.P., and Miller, A. Linking Fish Abundance and Diversity to Landscape-Scale Characteristics.  West Andros Comprehensive Report, The Nature Conservancy, 2006. (Contact: Elvardo Thompson [elvardo_thompson@tnc.org] for access)

Presentations

• 02/05/2010 - 19TH Annual Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry Workshop
  Iodine transport mechanisms in sea urchins
  Ashley Miller, J. Ballantyne, J. Robinson, A. Heyland
• 09/30/09-10/04/09 - Developmental Biology of the Sea Urchin XIX Annual Meeting
  Iodine, thyroid hormone uptake and metabolism in sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) development.
  Miller A E M, Robinson J, Ballantyne J and Heyland A (Poster)
• 05/14/09 - The Canadian Society of Zoologists Annual Meeting
  Iodine metabolism and thyroid hormones in echinoderms.
  Miller A E M, Martin T, Robinson J, Ballantyne J and Heyland A (Oral Presentation)
• 04/05/09 - The University of Guelph, CBS Graduate Student Symposium
  Thyroid hormone content and iodine handing in echinoderm larvae
  Miller A E M, Ballantyne J, Robinson J and Heyland A (Poster)
• 02/07/09 - 18th Annual Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry Workshop
  Thyroid hormones in sea urchin development
  Miller A E M, Martin T, Ballantyne J, Robinson J, and Heyland A (Oral Presentation)
• 01/07/09 - Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting                      
  Thyroid hormone signalling in echinoderms: comparative genomics, cross-kingdom signalling and life history evolution 
  Heyland A, Reitzel A, Miller A, Martin T, and Hodin J (Poster)
• 03/29/08 - Ontario Biology Day
  Incorporation of exogenous ammonia into the amino acids of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on high and low protein diets. 
  Miller A , Robinson J, and Ballantyne J (Oral Presentation)

Honors, Scholarships and Grants

• 2009-2010    The University International Graduate Scholarship (The University of Guelph)
  Awarded $2000 CDN per semester from the University of Guelph for Winter 2009, Winter 2010.
• 2009      Developmental Biology of the SeaUrchin Meeting XIX Travel Grant
  Awarded partial reimbursement ($400 USD) for travel to the meeting in Wood's Hole (MA)
• 2009     The Strathmann Fellowship from Friday Harbor Laboratories (The University of Washington)
  Awarded a fellowship of $1000 US and waiver of lab usage fees in order to conduct research at the station.
• 2004 - 2008    The Canadian Lyford Cay Scholarship (The Lyford Cay Foundation, The Bahamas)
  Awarded an annual scholarship of $7,500 CDN for undergraduate studies.  

Work and Research Experience

• 2006-2008 (June - July) Summer Student Employee at The Bahamian Department of Marine Resources.
  I assisted with data analysis and field work. Contact: Michael Braynen Director of the Department of Marine Resources, michaelbraynen@bahamas.gov.bs
• January - April 2007: Ontario Work Study Program (University of Guelph)
  I assisted Ms. Melissa Robillard, a PhD student advised by Dr. Robert McLaughlin with her literature review of salmonid life history.
• June 10th 2006 - July 21st 2006: The Nature Conservancy Rapid Ecological Assessment Internship
  I was employed to assist with an ecological assessment of a Bahamian island. Contact: Eleanor Phillips, Director of The Nature Conservancy Bahamas, ephillips@tnc.org

Activities and Teaching

• 09/09 - 02/27/10: Student Organizer of "Pharmaceuticals in the Environment: Lessons Learned"
• 01/10 - 04/10 Graduate Teaching assistant - Developmental Biology
• 01/09 - 04/09: Graduate Teaching Assistant- Comparative Animal Physiology II
• Volunteer: Let's Talk Science (Joanna McPherson, UoG. Coordinator, jmcphers@uoguelph.ca; http://www.letstalkscience.ca/main/)  
  04/26/09-05/07/09 Engineering Activity for Students at Brisbane Public School
  04/01/09: DNA/Forensics Event for St. Mary's High School Science Fair
• Volunteer: The Young Bahamian Marine Scientists (Nikita Sheil-Rolle Director of YBMS, nikita@tropicbirds.org; (http://tropicbirds.org/ybms/)
  08/17/08: Co-organizer of "The Bahamian Environment and You: An open Panel Discussion"
  09/05/8 -09/09/08: Co-organizer of The Young Bahamian Marine Scientists Summer Camp
• Volunteer Poetry Reviewer for Carousel Literary Magazine (http://www.carouselmagazine.ca/)