FISHY FOLK

DR. CHERYL WILGA 

                

  

 

CURRENT GRADUATE STUDENTS

   

Anabela Maia, PhD. Student.  Functional morphology of the dorsal fins in sharks during steady swimming and maneuvering

 

Jason Ramsay, Ph.D. Student. A Comparative Investigation of Cranial Morphology, Mechanics and
Muscle Function  in Suction and Ram/Bite Feeding Sharks. 

Ashley, Anabela and Bonnie recording fast start behavior in skates.

Mathew Lotti, M.S. Student.

 
 

 

 

CURRENT FISHES


White-spotted bamboo shark Chiloscyllium plagiosum


Smooth hound shark Mustelus canis

Spiny Dogfish Squalus acanthias

Little Skate Leucoraja erinacea

 


Spiny Dogfish Newborns (1 - 2.5 days old)

 

 

 

Little Skate Hatchling

 (1 - 2.5 days old)

 

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

   

Ashley Stoehr. B.S. Student. Prey processing in Little skates, spiny dogfish and bamboo sharks.

Rebecca Allen. B.S.  Suction and bite processing mechanics during feeding in spiny dogfish.

Ashley Heinze, B.S. Student.  Function of the dorsal fin in bamboo sharks.     

Bonnie Witte, B.S. Student.  Function of the
dorsal fin in bamboo sharks. 

 

Andrea Scott, B.S. student, Motor coordination of feeding and ventilation in spiny dogfish.

Lynn Ficarra, B.S. student, Coordination of feeding and ventilation in sharks and skates.

Heather Drumm, B.S. student, Coordination of feeding and ventilation in sharks and skates.

Chris Clifone, B.S. Coordination of feeding and ventilation in sharks and skates.

 

VISITING FISHY FOLK!

Dr. Chris Sanford from Hofstra University and Jason
studying crushing in bamboo sharks.
 

Dr. Chris Sanford collaborating on suction generation
 in bamboo sharks.

Dr. Phil Motta from the University of South Florida
collaborating on suction feeding in Little skates.

 

Dr. Phil Motta collaborating on suction feeding in spiny dogfish.
Rolling Hills Research Water Tunnel Model 1520.

Dr. Dave Koester from the University of New England collaborating on skate punting.

Dr. Dave Koester collaborating on skate punting.

Mason Dean from the University of California Irvine and Shannon collaborating on skate feeding.

Spectacular findings from extraordinary grad students!

Dr. Shannon Gerry, Dr. Eileen Grogan and Dray Smith studying feeding in dogfish.

Dr. Dick Lund, Dr. Eileen Grogan and Dray Smith.

The elusive

URI sink shark!

 

ALUMNI

Dr. Sandra Nauwelaerts, Postdoctoral Researcher, Hydrodynamics of suction feeding in bamboo sharks and stingrays. Currently Research Associate at McPhail Performance Center at Michigan State University.

Dr. Shannon Gerry, PhD Dissertation Title: Feeding Mechanics in a Trophic Generalist and Specialist Shark Species: A Comparison of Diet, Behavior and Function. Currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at Acadia College.

Jocelyne Dolce, M.S. Thesis Title: A Morphological And Functional Analysis Of Suction Ventilation Mechanics In Resting And Swimming Sharks. Currently, Biological Sciences Laboratory Specialist at Wellesley College.

 

UNDERGRADUATES

Ashley Hienz, Function of the dorsal fin in bamboo sharks.

Bonnie Witt, Function of the dorsal fin in bamboo sharks.

Andrea Scott, Prey selectivity in sharks, Muscle Activity during ventilation and feeding in sharks.

Ashley Stoehr, Prey Processing in sharks and skates.

Dawn Simmons,  B.S. Student, Laboratory Technician.Ontogeny of Feeding in Elasmobranchs.

Danielle Duquette, B.S. Student, Coastal Fellow 2006, Honors Thesis: Suction Generation During Feeding in Little Skates. Currently, in graduate program at University of New Hampshire.  

Amanda Karch, B.S. Student, Coastal Fellow 2006, and Lab Tech. Coordination of Feeding and Ventilation in Bamboo Sharks.

Heather Smith, Ventilation in Sharks.

Alexis Klepecki, Cardiovascular Systems in Mammals. Physicians Assistant Masters Program, Le Moyne College.

Samantha Kelly, Marine Mammals.

Lazaro Garcia, Coastal Fellow, Ontogeny Of Prey Capture in Little Skates.

Jordan Balaban, Coastal Fellow, Ontogeny Of Prey Capture in Little Skates. 

Courtney Klenk, Coastal Fellow, Ontogeny Of Prey Capture in Little Skates.

Stacey Getto, Comparative anatomy of the reproductive system in mammals. Public Health Program, Boston University..

Cynthia Smith. Lesson plans for high school biology students: Evolution and Diversity. Secondary Education Program.

Lazaro Garcia, Electroreception and prey discrimination in little skates.

Kristine Kalapos, Suction pressure in hatchling bamboo sharks.

Sarah Bonito, Morphology of the caudal fin muscles in spiny dogfish. Phlebotomist.

Brian Morey, Morphology of the lateral musculature in spiny dogfish.

Nadia Archambault, Functional morphology of plantar fasciitis in ballet dancers. Currently a graduate student in Pharmacy Program, URI.

Eric Meehan, Functional morphology of plantar fasciitis in runners. Currently in graduate program at Temple University Podiatry School.

Jeremy Wright, Coastal Fellow, Electroreception and prey discrimination in little skates.  Currently a MS student at the University of Florida.  

Jessica Wellington, Suction pressure in hatchling bamboo sharks. Currently at Tufts Veterinary School.

Jason Ramsay, Coastal Fellow, Biomechanics of the jaws in white spotted bamboo sharks. Currently in graduate program at University of Rhode Island.

Mary-Elizabeth Miller, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Laboratory Web Manual. Currently a research assistant at Cornell University.

Jessica Powell, Honors Thesis: Prey capture success in bamboo sharks. Currently a M.S. student at the University of Rhode Island.

Jocelyne Dolce, Respiratory cycles during feeding in sharks. M.S. from University of Rhode Island. Currently, faculty member at Wellesley College..

 

K-12 Students

Ryan Iovino. Governors Award Winner of the R.I. Science Fair Competition at the middle school level, chose, from many state and government institutions, to intern in my laboratory for one week in the summer of 2004.

Gabriel Ramsay, Elementary Student Science Fair Project conducted with assistance from our lab.

Ryan Iovino, Freshman High School Student conducted his science fair project in my lab during the Spring 2005 on feeding behavior in bamboo sharks.

Laura Cunningham. Governors Award Winner of the R.I. Science Fair Competition, senior level competition. Chose, from many state and government institutions, to intern in my laboratory for one week in the summer of 2006.

Alana Mercurio. Freshman at Scituate High School conducted her science fair project in my lab during the Fall 2007 on determining differences in drag on various swimsuit textures and styles.