The 鈥渕ints鈥�, the 鈥渇alse foxgloves鈥�, and 鈥渞osinweeds鈥� 鈥� How are the different members of these plant lineages related to each other? How and when have they migrated and diversified to the different parts of temperate North America, and have made the Midwestern prairies their forever homes? The key to the future conservation of these plant groups lies in the answers! Undergraduate students in my lab are investigating these questions with the help of DNA sequence data from various members of the above-mentioned plant groups, along with a variety of bioinformatics tools. Future plans include a genomic approach to understanding the evolutionary relationships and historical biogeography of these plant groups.

A general interest in botany and a passing grade in BIO 105 or equivalent.

This project is a collaborative effort with Dr. Karen Koy and Dr. Tilottama Roy. Natural history collections preserve an extensive record of life and form the basis of our understanding of biodiversity on our planet. We are interested in elucidating how the utilization of these well-preserved biological specimens in our undergraduate biology courses improves student learning. Just like the other projects, undergraduate students form an integral part of this initiative.

Passing grade in any Biology or Earth Science course.

Herbaria consist of plant specimens that have been collected over broad geographic ranges and over many years. The Leo A. Galloway herbarium housed in the biology department at 含羞草社区 is comprised of dried, preserved and annotated specimens of ~ 3000 valuable plant species, particularly native to the mid-western United States. This project involves getting the entire herbarium collection present in our Leo A. Galloway herbarium listed and cataloged on the New York Botanical Garden鈥檚 Index Herbariorum website. Students are involved in reorganizing, recircumscribing, cataloging, and indexing all the specimens in our herbarium and preparing them to be listed on NYBG鈥檚 IH collection. Future plans include digitization of the herbarium specimens, to make them available to a broader audience interested in knowing more about flora of northwestern Missouri.

One of the assets of the biology department at 含羞草社区 is the campus prairie, located just outside the campus. Encompassing 34 acres of unique prairie habitat, this area is a treasure trove for both the campus community, as well as botanists and nature lovers outside the campus. It provides a unique research opportunity. The initial goal of this project starts with the involvement of student researchers performing surveys of the plant communities present in this unique habitat.

A grade of C or better in BIO105, BIO 225 preferred.

A grade of C or better in BIO105, BIO 225 preferred.

This project is a collaborative effort with Dr. Karen Koy and Dr. Tilottama Roy. Natural history collections preserve an extensive record of life and form the basis of our understanding of biodiversity on our planet. We are interested in elucidating how the utilization of these well-preserved biological specimens in our undergraduate biology courses improves student learning. Just like the other projects, undergraduate students form an integral part of this initiative.

Passing grade in any Biology or Earth Science course.

A long-term research project evaluating the rate and types of weathering experienced by bones from different species and age groups of animals. Focused mainly on domestic species such as pigs, chickens, and geese. This research leads to better understanding of how weathering processes in the past have affected the continental fossil record, and therefore the understanding of how life has changed over time.

Completion of at least one biology or earth science course and an interest in paleontology or archeology.

This research explores hands-on learning and best practices in science education. This research includes developing or modifying laboratory or in-class activities for Earth Science courses.

Students must be willing to work in potentially challenging (swampy) field conditions at Loess Bluffs. GIS/GPS experience preferred but not required.

Our lab鈥檚 broad research interest is the impacts of human activities on aquatic systems in both temperate and tropical environments, with a focus on aquatic insects and other invertebrates. In addition to a long term water quality monitoring effort of 含羞草社区 campus ponds, recent projects include quantifying the toxicity of a common organophosphate pesticide on tropical stream insects, and a comparison of thermal tolerance between closely related temperate and tropical aquatic insect taxa (in Costa Rica and Missouri).

One of the assets of the biology department at 含羞草社区 is the campus prairie, located just outside the campus. Encompassing 34 acres of unique prairie habitat, this area is a treasure trove for both the campus community, as well as botanists and nature lovers outside the campus. It provides a unique research opportunity. The initial goal of this project starts with the involvement of student researchers performing surveys of the plant communities present in this unique habitat.

A grade of C or better in BIO105, BIO 225 preferred.

This research will use traditional and molecular tools to sample and categorize the biological entities in the freshwater environments that occur on the Missouri Western State campus. Students that work on this project will gain lab and field experience as well as experience working with large, complicated sets of data.

This project is a collaborative effort between the labs of Dr. Elias, Dr. Ganong, Dr. Grantham, Dr. Mills, and Dr. Drake.

Successful completion of at least one Biology course.

Collaboration with Dr. Cary Chevalier and Dr. Csengele Barta.

Interest in molecular biology, biochemistry, plant biology, or ecology-physiology. Concurrent enrollment or prior completion of at least one of the introductory biology or chemistry core courses is a plus (BIO105, BIO106, or CHE111).

This research is a long term study on the home range sizes and configurations of male and female urban raccoons.

It looks at the home range sizes and configurations, the age structure, and the population turnover of male and female urban raccoons in the summer and winter.

Students should have completed Bio 105 with C or better, and have an interest in field and lab work, physiological ecology, wildlife management or conservation.

This research is a long term study to determine the population estimates of nesting geese and nest distribution for Canada geese on 含羞草社区 campus.

One of the assets of the biology department at 含羞草社区 is the campus prairie, located just outside the campus. Encompassing 34 acres of unique prairie habitat, this area is a treasure trove for both the campus community, as well as botanists and nature lovers outside the campus. It provides a unique research opportunity. The initial goal of this project starts with the involvement of student researchers performing surveys of the plant communities present in this unique habitat.

A grade of C or better in BIO105, BIO 225 preferred.

Collaboration with Dr. Cary Chevalier and Dr. Csengele Barta.

Interest in molecular biology, biochemistry, plant biology, or ecology-physiology. Concurrent enrollment or prior completion of at least one of the introductory biology or chemistry core courses is a plus (BIO105, BIO106, or CHE111).

Invasive plant species are a threat to biodiversity and a relevant concern for species conservation and restoration. Leachates from decomposing leaves of Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), a highly invasive shrub rapidly conquering regions of the Midwestern US have been documented to have devastating effects on native species diversity, via their negative allelopathic effect on native seed germination and seedling growth.

Within the frame of this project we will identify and characterize the honeysuckle metabolites responsible for the inhibitory effect, will characterize their biosynthetic pathway(s) and the seasonal or environment-driven regulation of their synthesis. In addition, we will also identify the action mechanism of honeysuckle leachate-induced allelopathic inhibition. A better understanding of the inhibition mechanism by allelopathic chemicals is expected to contribute to developing effective invasive species management approaches in the future.

Within this project we will focus on mechanisms regulating the seasonal and climate-controlled isoprene biosynthesis in oaks (Quercus spp.), particularly abundant in Missouri. We will investigate the key regulatory steps of isoprene biosynthesis and emission in oaks under physiological and changing environmental conditions. In addition, we will also address the molecular and eco-physiological consequences of changing climate-induced alterations in isoprene synthesis and emission and assess the relationship between the metabolic costs of isoprene synthesis and the molecular/physiological/plant fitness benefits provided.

Isoprene emission inventory data indicate that the capacity to emit isoprene is present in species of many families of plants, but is rarely widespread across all species of the same family. This research project will focus on investigating the molecular basis at the diversity of volatile emission capacities in members of the oak family, and the evolution of the isoprene emission capacity in emitter North American oaks.

Interest in molecular biology, biochemistry, plant biology, or ecology-physiology. Concurrent enrollment or prior completion of at least one of the introductory biology or chemistry core courses is a plus (BIO 105 or BIO 106 or CHE 111).

Parelaphostrongylus tenuis (P. tenuis) is an extrapulmonary lungworm that infects ruminants and requires a gastropod intermediate host. Symptoms are minor or absent in white-tailed deer, but infection can be fatal in elk and other cervids. Assessing the prevalence of P. tenuis is therefore useful in gauging risks associated with elk reintroduction to Missouri. While previous methods for detection of P. tenuis in gastropods are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and only detect final-instar larvae, we are developing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to detect P. tenuis at any larval stage in a gastropod intermediate host in just 3-4 hours.

Interest in molecular biology techniques and attention to detail are a must.

In this project, we will evaluate the potentially positive effects of a soluble prebiotic, rice bran arabinoxylan, on the composition of the fecal microbiome and on intestinal inflammation in a widely used mouse model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Arabinoxylans (AX), a diverse group of dietary fiber compounds found in cereal grains such as wheat, corn, rye, barley, and rice, have been associated with favorable outcomes in some commonly used mouse models of IBD, and there is also evidence that various AX may have anti-cancer and anti-obesity effects. However, little has been published on the effects of AX derived from rice, the world鈥檚 most consumed grain, on IBD.

Interest in molecular biology techniques, animal care/testing, and attention to detail are a must.

• Susan Brock, Judith Knadler, Tabitha Ritter and Jason C. Baker. Characterization of a Bacteriocin from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. App. Sci. 2018, 7(6): 1492-1503
• Judith Knadler, David Ashley, Jason Baker. A Selective Survey of Microbial Flora in the Water of Seven Missouri Caves. Transactions of the Missouri Academy, 2010, 43: 1-7
• Destiny Christopher, Callie Punzo, Jason Baker, Carissa Ganong. 鈥淨uantification of deer brainworm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) prevalence in snail hosts using a novel molecular technique鈥�, Missouri Academy of Science, St. Joseph, MO, April. 2024
• L. Bloodgood, T. Mull, and J. Baker, 鈥淚DENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SOIL MICROBES PRODUCING ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDS鈥� Missouri Academy of Science, Fayette, MO, April, 2022
• Baker, J. and Mahl, S., 鈥淒EVELOPMENT OF STRAIN-SPECIFIC REAL-TIME PCR TO EVALUATE GROWTH COMPETITION BETWEEN FOUR BRADYRHIZOBIUM JAPONICUM STRAINS鈥�, Missouri Academy of Science, Maryville, MO, April, 2019

Probiotics are microbes that, when consumed in sufficient quantities, promote health. Prebiotics are dietary molecules that support the growth of beneficial microbes in the intestine. The overall aims of this project are to study the effects of various probiotic bacteria or prebiotics on intestinal inflammation, using cultured mammalian cells and/or induced colitis in mice as the experimental models. For cell culture-based projects, students will learn mammalian cell culture techniques, and other techniques that may include nucleic acid isolation, PCR, and immunofluorescent staining and microscopy. For mouse-based projects, students will learn laboratory animal handling and assessment of clinical signs of colitis, and other techniques that may include nucleic acid isolation, PCR, histology, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting.

Reliability is the most important requirement! Preference given to students who have completed BIO205 and who have an interest in physiology and/or immunology.

Students from my research group have presented posters on their research at on-campus symposia as well as state, regional and national conferences

Peer-reviewed publications:

• Walton KLW. Approaches to teaching about mechanisms of obesity in undergraduate pathophysiology courses. Advances in Physiology Education 2024;48:304-308.
• Walton KLW. Use of a short, in-class drawing activity to assess student understanding of core concepts of the cell membrane in an undergraduate physiology class. Advances in Physiology Education 2023;47(3):508-513.
• Baker JC and KLW Walton. Illustrating flow cytometry in an immunology lab using a hands-on, low tech simulation. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education 2020;21(2):21.2.51.
• Improvement in student data analysis skills after out-of-class assignments. Journal of Biology and Microbiology Education 2016;17(3):466-468.
• Walton KLW. Using a popular science nonfiction book to introduce biomedical research ethics in a biology majors course. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education 2014;15(12):240-242.
• Rybarczyk BJ and KLW Walton. The development of an instrument to assess students鈥� data analysis skills in molecular biology. Journal of Biology and Microbiology Education 2014;15(12):259-267.
• Deng S, Walton KLW, Blue RE, MacNaughton K, Magness ST, and PK Lund. Mucosal healing and fibrosis after acute or chronic inflammation in wild type FVB-N mice and C57BL6 procollagen alpha1(I)-promoter-GFP reporter mice. PLoS ONE 2012;7(8):e42568.

Completed Genetics.

Completed any Biology course.

This research is conducted to help avian conservation efforts locally and statewide. In partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation, 含羞草社区 students analyze bird species utilizing the declining habitat in Southern and Central Missouri. Dr. Jedlicka and students have established 62 songbird, 16 Purple Martin, 6 Wood Duck, and 2 owl nest boxes on 含羞草社区鈥檚 campus. As part of a long term study, the team monitors nest site selection and reproductive success of hundreds of birds. We additionally test whether native bird species prefer certain artificial boxes. Finally we investigate whether predator proof boxes are really predator proof.

All students interested in wildlife conservation are welcome. Must be reliable and able to record data.

Advancing Avian Diet Studies to Address Ecological Questions

This research applied molecular scatology to fecal samples to analyze ecological relationships between avian insectivores and their communities. Of particular interest in this work is uncovering the ecosystem services birds may provide. From 2017 – 2020 The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded research funds for undergraduate students and Dr. Jedlicka to travel to Kenya and conduct field research in coffee farms to analyze how avian communities change in different coffee management systems and research whether diverse systems may be resilient to upcoming climate change scenarios.

• Effects of native and non-native shade trees on insect predation pressure on Kenyan coffee farms
• Effects of native and non-native shade trees on bird trees in central Kenyan coffee farms
• Evidence for frequency-dependent selection in House Wrens, but not Eastern Bluebirds
• Differences in insectivore bird diets in coffee agroecosystems driven by obligate or generalist guild, shade management, season, and year
• Molecular scatology and high-throughput sequencing reveal predominately herbivorous insects in the diets of adult and nesting Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) in California vineyards
• Birding and Herping the Ozark Glades

My students and I have been studying the ecology of turtles living in the 9 campus ponds since 2008. Using mark-recapture techniques, we have over 1000 captures of approximately 250 individually marked turtles of 5 native and 3 non-native species. To date, we have documented 77 turtles moving among campus ponds, with 3 turtles moving off or on campus from off-campus ponds.

Preferably at least one Biology course; a strong interest in ecology and working in the field.

Working with Darrin Welchert, USFWS Wildlife Biologist, we are using radio-telemetry to document habitat use and movement patterns of this state-endangered turtle.

Prefer students who have at least taken Ecology; ability to work in sometimes difficult and physically demanding environments (i.e. the marsh at Loess Bluffs NWR).

• Survey of the vertebrates of the Rushin Teaching and Research Prairie