1:00pm:  Terence Leach
“Uncovering the Evolutionary Relationships of Pseudo-nitzschia”
Terence Leach is currently a freshman attending the University of Washington- Seattle.  His intended major is Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology with a minor in Marine Biology. Terence started working in the Rocap Lab over the summer while taking part in the UW GenOM ALVA program for incoming minority freshmen who are interested in science research, especially research in genetics and genomics.  For the past two quarters Terence has continued conducting undergraduate research in the Rocap Lab. Terence’s long term interests include
going to graduate school to further his studies in marine biology and to eventually become a marine biologist.

1:30pm:  Jessica Youngblood, BS
“Phylogenetic and Functional Metagenomic Profiling of Microbial Communities in the Puget Sound”
Jessica Youngblood is a second year Toxicology Masters student working with Dr. Elaine M. Faustman, director of the Pacific Northwest Center for Human Health and Ocean Studies. Jessica graduated from Michigan State University with a BS in Zoology and a concentration in Marine Biology. She has worked with Virginia Beach Marine Mammal Stranding team and the Navy Marine Mammal Program as an animal trainer, diver and veterinary technician for dolphins and sea lions.

2:00pm:  Marissa Smith, MS
“A Framework for Using Functional Environmental Metagenomic Data in Public Health Applications”
Marissa Smith obtained her undergraduate degree in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences in 2009 and her Masters degree in Toxicology in 2012 under the mentorship of Dr. Elaine M. Faustman. While a Masters student Marissa worked with the Pacific Northwest Center for Human Health and Ocean Studies as a trainee  as part of the NOAA-funded Pacific Northwest Consortium for Pre- and Post-doctoral Traineeships in Oceans and Human Health (PNW Consortium.)  The work that she is presenting in this seminar was largely completed during her NOAA traineeship.