Prof Romi
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undergraduate research philosophy & lab

I teach research methods and I research teaching methods. My experience has taught me that ‘the extraordinary’ happens through the process of teaching students the art of doing ecological research. 
In the beginning, I found it hard to recruit students early enough to invest in the long-term nature of research. 
I also found that snails did not quite seem necessarily as sexy to students as something medically-related like cancer.  It takes my enthusiasm for the crazy critters or the “word” from one of the already ecologically-converted to convince some students otherwise.  Students make up my lab community and I consider them real contributors to the research.  The practice of guiding students through the complete scientific process (i.e. where outcome results in poster, talk or paper) serves as the best evidence of my teaching effectiveness. I've been very fortunate to have incredible students.
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Spr 2022 Burks Molecular Aquatic Ecology Lab
Cynthia Bashara, JR, SCOPE 21
Lillian Dolapchiev, JR, SCOPE 21
Kate Henderson, FY
Cassidy Reynolds
, SO
Abby White, FY
Esme Barrientos, SO 


Undergraduate Researchers & Their Projects

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Cynthia Bashara
Pursuing Honors Thesis  May 2023

Apple Snails "Escargo" to San Antonio

Seasonal patterns of eDNA detection for Pomacea maculata
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Lillian Dolapchiev
Pursuing Honors Thesis
​May 2023


Apple Snails "Escargo" to San Antonio

Size fractionation and eDNA detection for Pomacea maculata
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Kate Henderson
New Project
Keep Austin Snail Free

Monitoring invasion of Pomacea maculata ​in Travis County
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Kaitlyn 
​Galassini

May 21 Grad

Microplastics and eDNA


​

Lauren
​Muskara

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May 21 Grad
​BS Biology BA Art


Field application of eDNA detection of apple snails​

Pursuing a Master's in Biomedical Visualization at Univ. IL Chicago

Artist Website
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Shellsea
​Miller

 May 20 Grad

Specificity of eDNA Primers for Pomacea maculata

​
Molecular Ecology Technician
​UT Breckenridge

Nicole
Kelly
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 May 20 Grad
Identifying
Asian mystery snails 


Pursuing Master's in Genetic Counseling at Baylor University

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Shannon
​Odell

May 18 Grad
Japanese mystery snails

Dog Trainer at Karma Orange County CA - Austin
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Madison
​Granier

May 19 Grad

​Accumulation & Degradation of apple snail
eDNA


Pursuing Master's in Genetic Counseling at Northwestern University

Hannah Winkler

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May 19 Grad
Unravelling mysterysnail DNA​

Working for GirlStart
Pursuing Master's of Public Health
Concordia

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Hugo Cepeda

 May 18 Grad
Pomacea spp. genetics

​
Teaching Science at an IDEA School
Shannon Walsh
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 May 18 Grad
Asian mystery snails of the INHS

Medical scribe

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Bianca Perez

May 17 Grad
Japanese mystery snail
Employed at Texas Center for Environmental Quality
Perez et al. 2016

Carissa Bishop

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May 17 Grad
ITS Screen
Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Regulatory Affairs Associate II
​Luminex

Sofia Campos

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Dec 16 Grad
Phylogeography 
Phylogenetics
Employment in Wellness Center
glasheen et al. 2017
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Averi Segrest

May 16 Grad
Snail-mussel interactions
Self Employed
Color Street & Staff at YMCA

Soon to be Dr. Paul Glasheen

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Honors
​May 16 Grad

Hybridization
Completing MD
Future Resident
GLASHEEN ET AL. 2020
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Dr. Alex
Petrucci, PhD

May 16 Grad
GIS and apple snails in Clear Lake
Neuroscientist at University of Iowa

Allie
​Watts

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May 15 Grad
Chemical cues and behavior
Digital Marketing Manager at Lifewater International
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Soon to be Dr. Carson Savrick

May 15 Grad
Population genetics of P. maculata in southern US
MS Biomedical Science
​Rice University

Completing MD
Future Resident
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Amber Cochran

May 14 Grad
Hatchling growth
Employed at Bank

Jonathon Miley

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May 14 Grad
Georgetown Salamander
Community College Computer Science Instructor
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Bex Petro

May 14 Grad
Art & Apple Snails
Environmental Protection Specialist II at El Paso County Department of Health and Environment

Allyson Plantz

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May 13 Grad
Riparian predation and apple snails
​
Development Associate at Springboard Collaborative
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Alexandra
Hill

May 13 Grad
Turtle predation on hatchlings
fact sheet

Tracy Day

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Dec 12 Grad
Stable isotopes and apple snails
Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator at DisperSol Technologies, LLC
​Pursuing Public Health

Katie Gibson
​Foster

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May 12 Grad
Snail-mussel interactions
PhD Student Conservation Biology
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Dr. Alexis
Kropf
Sanchez

May 12 Grad
Female reproduction
MD, Amita Health
Kyle et al. 2011

Dr. 
​Megan Rice Shelton

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​May 11 Grad
Hatchling survival and disturbance
MD
​Resident UT Austin
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Matt Trawick 

May 10 Grad
Hatchling survival and water stress
Attorney-Advisor at US Environmental Protection Agency
Burks et al. 2010

Dr. Olivia Stanzer

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May 10 Grad
Ecological role of ovorubin
Physical Therapist
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Scott Manusov

May 09 Grad
Aggregation of P. maculata 
Lab Technician
Dianal America
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Dr. James McDonough

May 09 Grad
Field oviposition of apple snails
Emergency Medical Physician
Baylor, Scott & White
Kyle et al. 2009

Dr. Colin
Kyle PhD

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Honors
May 09 Grad

Oviposition behavior of non-native apple snails
PhD Quantitative Ecology
kyle et al. 2013
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Dr. Sarah Hensley PhD


​May 08 Grad
Juvenile consumption of exotic plants
Senior Sciences Managing Editor and STEM Team Lead
Pearson VUE

burks et al. 2011

Dr. Abby Youens Smith

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May 07 Grad
Juvenile growth patterns
Family Medicine
​Baylor, Scott & White
Youens and Burks 2008
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Dr. Brandon Boland PhD

May 07 Grad
Food Choice in apple snails
Senior Director
Portfolio Lead
​ApotheCom
Boland et al. 2008

Dr. Matt Barnes PhD

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Honors
​May 06 Grad

Fecundity of Pomacea maculata 
Associate Professor of Natural Resources
Management
Texas Tech University
barnes et al. 2008
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Becca Marfurt Theodorakos

May '05 Grad, Environmental Studies
M.S. in Aquatic Biology, Texas State
Now with TRC Environmental Corporation

Becca gets her own special box as the student to actually introduce apple snails into the lab at Southwestern University.  Her natural curiosity has spurred over 15 years of research with no end in sight.


  • Home
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  • Chocolate Education
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    • Learn What Chocolate Means
    • Commonly Asked ?s
    • SU Chocolate Classes >
      • Chocolate Art Gallery
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  • College Teaching
    • Courses
    • Pedagogy
  • Apple Snail Research
    • Undergraduate Lab >
      • Lab News
    • Current Projects >
      • Hybridization
      • Phylogeography (UR)
      • eDNA
      • Invasive Species
    • Collaborators