Keith Bayha
Post-doctoral Scholar
I am interested in the molecular systematics, phylogeography, population genetics and invasion genetics of scyphozoan jellyfish and ctenophores. I am working on the NSF funded REVSYS project (a collaboration between the Dawson Lab and Allen Collins at the Smithsonian Institution) examining the phylogenetic relationships, both molecular and morphological, among the semaeostome jellyfish (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa), a group that includes moon jellies, sea nettles and the lion’s mane jellyfish of Sherlock Holmes' fame. Although these jellyfish cause extensive problems worldwide as blooming and invasive species, taxonomic knowledge of this group (as is true of jellyfish in general) is relatively poor. By combining morphological and genetic data, we will greatly contribute to knowledge of species diversity within the group, morphological characters that delineate species and evolutionary relationships among species.
Feel like you're drifting though life? A long way from home? Misunderstood? Odds stacked against you? Maybe you're a marine plankter. If so, Mike has a place you can stay; it's small, cold, and dark, but it's got a door and we'll get you liquored up for free. If that kills you (which it will), he'll give you PCR. It won't bring you back to life, but it will immortalize you in one of a series of fabulous studies of scyphozoan systematics, comparative biogeography and phylogeography, rapid evolutionary radiation in marine zooplankton, conservation genetics of marine fishes, or the community ecology of marine lakes. Learn more here.
Michael N Dawson P.I.
Liza Gomez Daglio
Graduate student
I am interested in taxonomy, systematics and biogeography of jellyfish (Scyphozoa) and barnacles (Balanomorpha). My research focuses on the biodiversity and evolution of these organisms, especially for those species that belong to the Gulf of California and the Baja California Peninsula Pacific coast. I will describe and register the species that live in these areas, in order to understand the biogeography of the fauna in the Gulf of California. Morphometrics and molecular tools will help me to understand the biogeographic patterns of the invertebrates, as well describe their rich evolutionary histories.
Joan Lehman
UC Merced alum &
Laboratory Assistant
A lot of people (even my husband) ask me why I came back to school at my 'advanced' age after years of raising children and running a small business. I wish I knew the answer to that. All I can say is that I came back because I've always wanted to and, now at this time of my life, I realized that I could. I have found returning to school challenging, demanding but also very rewarding. With the support of the UC Merced faculty, TAs and my fellow students (and family) I’ve managed to struggle through some tough classes to graduate in May 2008.
I'm studying the evolution of cardinal fish from marine lakes of Palau - something I never dreamed I would be involved in. To study the fish morphologically, we have taken a variety of measurements of specimens of three different species from five lagoons and seven marine lakes. These data are being analyzed to compare differences within and between the species. The DNA analysis involves extracting and amplifying the DNA from these fish and sequencing certain genes. These data will be used to build phylogenetic trees so we can compare our morphological information with the DNA data and establish evolutionary rates and relationships between the ancestral lagoon stock and the lake descendents.
Holly Swift
Graduate student
My main research focus is as an evolutionary ecologist, so I’m especially interested in how evolutionary differences between organisms manifest themselves in ecological differences, especially in pelagic ecosystems. I’m hoping to start research on the phylogenetics, feeding behavior and biomechanics of Mastigias jellyfish which live in marine lakes soon. I’ve worked before on ecological questions of feeding and biomechanics with ctenophores, which are also beautiful, pelagic gelatinous organisms (and best of all, they don’t sting when you catch them).
Julia Vo
Laboratory Manager
Forget the 200 ul pipettor, fume hood, centrifuge, or speedvac, Julia is the most effective and indispensable resource in the lab. The question most often heard in the lab is 'Where’s Julia?' The answer is here, there, everywhere, all the time. Julia is a person you can count on, able to pull information out of thin air, good for bouncing ideas off, can turn dark days into bright ones, and her hugs last a good week or longer. She is an organizer, a teacher, and a friend with an unwavering upbeat attitude, uncanny memory, dedicated work ethic, and unifying spirit. -- Adapted from a letter of appreciation by Joan, a few days before 'Julia Day', the lab's official first birthday: 29th May 2008.
... oh, and she's working on the population genetics of Stigmatopora spp., Cheilinus undulatus, Nerita savieana, and a few sponges.
