wellsm

Advisor: Dr. Patricia Wright

Education:
M.Sc. candidate, Integrative Biology, University of Guelph (2011 - present)
B.Sc. Hons Marine and Freshwater Biology, University of Guelph (2007 - 2011)

Research: Embryonic development of the mangrove rivulus

The focus of my undergraduate and masters research has been on developmental plasticity, using the mangrove rivulus as a model species. This self-fertilizing hermaphroditic vertebrate makes an excellent model as the use of clonal lineages can eliminate genetic variation. Wild rivulus have been found both within crab borrows in mangrove swamps but also out of water in the leaf litter. Rivulus embryos have not been observed in the wild, but adults have been found to release fertilized embryos out of water in artificial semi-aquatic terrariums. The goal of my undergrad thesis project (2011) was focusing on the consequences of embryonic development out of water. For my masters, I will be focusing on the strategies for nitrogen excretion in embryos that develop out of water. 

Volunteer Experience: If you are looking for some volunteer experience please feel free to contact me by email or come by my office. We're always looking for help in the lab with animal care (e.g feeding and cleaning) of the mangrove rivulus colony

Email: wellsm@uoguelph.ca

Office: SCIE 3464