Speaker: Monisha Pashupathi, Dean of the Honors College
Purpose: Introduction to the L. Jackson Newell Fellowship presentation
Series Background:
Initiated by Honors Faculty
Focus on liberal arts and sciences
Honors and celebrates faculty across university
Named after Jack Newell, expert in higher education philosophy and history
Newell’s contributions include: Dean of Liberal Arts at University of Utah, President of Deep Springs College
Newell Fellow Introduction
Speaker: Professor Christopher Miller
Fellow: Professor Michael Werner, known as "worm wrangler"
Werner Lab Projects:
Epigenetics of phenotypic plasticity
Research on nematodes in the Great Salt Lake
Involvement in student mentorship and research publication
Significance:
Scientific innovation
Cultural, ecological, and political relevance to Great Salt Lake
Presentation by Professor Michael Werner
Story of Discovery
Timeline: Started in 2020
Research Focus: Developmental phenotypic plasticity in nematodes
Key Concept: Organisms with identical genotypes can have different phenotypes based on environmental factors
Example: Social insects, locusts, water fleas
Nematodes and the Great Salt Lake
Background:
Nematodes are diverse, found in almost every ecosystem
Known for inhabiting extreme environments
Research Hypothesis: Investigate possible nematode presence in Great Salt Lake
Initial Findings:
Great Salt Lake was thought to be too extreme for nematodes
Used density centrifugation to find nematodes
Found nematodes thriving in microbialites
Discoveries and Experiments
Significant Discoveries:
Nematodes found in Great Salt Lake, previously considered too saline
Adapted to extreme salinity, cannot survive in non-saline conditions
Experiment Insights:
Found more nematodes in microbialites than in surrounding sediments
Microbialites may offer protective niche
Ongoing Research
Identification:
Molecular biology techniques used to identify species
Preliminary classification: Family Monohysteridae
Phylogenetic Studies:
Great Salt Lake nematodes form a distinct clade
Possible new species within genus Diploomeloides
Conclusion and Future Directions
Current Hypotheses:
Nematodes are highly adapted to their environment
Microbialites serve as refugia
Ongoing work to confirm if they represent new species
Acknowledgments:
Contributions from lab team and collaborators
Q&A Highlights
Potential predators of nematodes in Great Salt Lake remain unknown
Evolutionary history and adaptation questions
Interest in further exploring microbialite environments globally
Implications of environmental changes on nematodes
Closing Remarks
The research illustrates the importance of interdisciplinary study in understanding complex ecosystems and the resilience of life in extreme environments.