Dr. Donald C. Behringer
ProfessorAFFILIATIONS
University of Florida
School of Forest Resources and Conservation–Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program
Emerging Pathogens Institute
UF School of Natural Resources and the Environment (affiliated faculty)
UF College of Veterinary Medicine–Aquatic Animal Health Program (affiliated faculty)
EDUCATION
Ph.D. 2003 Old Dominion University, Ecological Sciences.
B.S. 1991 University of Florida, Zoology.
Download my CV
CONTACT
Phone: (352) 273-3634
Email: behringer@ufl.edu
Address: University of Florida, 7922 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, Florida 32653
Postdocs
Dr. Jamie Bojko
Postdoctoral AssociateEDUCATION
Ph.D. University of Leeds
B.Sc. University of Leeds
CONTACT
Email: jamie.bojko@ufl.edu
Twitter: @Jamiebojko
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research involves screening for and systematically identifying the symbionts of invertebrate hosts; primarily including Crustacea and Mollusca. I work mainly with Microsporidia, bacteria and viruses, and use histological, TEM, molecular diagnostic and metagenomic methods to better understand the microbiomes of invertebrate hosts.
Find my publications on Google Scholar and Researchgate.
Current Students
Abbey Scro
Masters StudentEDUCATION
B.S. Roger Williams University
CONTACT
Email: a.scro@ufl.edu
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I will be enrolled in the Master’s of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences program. While my thesis is still undetermined, my interests lie within aquatic animal health and shellfish. As an undergrad, I began to get involved in research, looking into blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) ecology. I developed a traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) specific for winter flounder and ran that against macerated, unidentifiable stomach contents from blue crabs. Following my undergraduate degree I started working in the Aquatic Diagnostic Laboratory at Roger Williams University as a technician. There my work focused on molecular diagnostic techniques, specifically those dealing with disease common to the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). I also focused on using quantitative multiplex PCR to detect pathogenic Vibrio sp. in oysters grown in Narragansett Bay, RI.
Amy Oxton
Masters StudentEDUCATION
B.S. University of Florida
CONTACT
Email: aoxton@ufl.edu
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My thesis is focused on determining the effects of Microcystis spp. bloom exposure on early stage juvenile blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus. Growing up in Southwest Florida, I was exposed to the marine environment at a young age. My thesis was inspired by large-scale water quality issues such as algal blooms that have impacted coastal towns through out Florida. Outside of my thesis I am interested in using spatial sciences to map and analyze marine environments.
Liz Duermit Moreau
Doctoral StudentEDUCATION
M.S. College of Charleston
B.S. Michigan State University
CONTACT
Email: duermite@ufl.edu
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I am interested in disease ecology in fished crustaceans. For my dissertation research I am focused on identifying behavioral and life history characteristics of crustaceans that impact their susceptibility to disease-causing pathogens and parasites. I am further examining how habitat degradation and fishing pressure affect pathogen communities in stone crab, spiny lobster, and other important benthic invertebrates in the hard-bottom habitat of the Florida Keys.
Find my publications on Google Scholar and Researchgate.
Kate Rose
MASTERS STUDENTEDUCATION
B.S. University of Florida
CONTACT
Email: r.goss@ufl.edu
RESEARCH INTERESTS
After growing up in New Jersey I followed my love of seafood down to Florida. My master’s thesis is a collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that seeks to quantify the impact that soak times gave on the physiology of the Florida stone crab. Before that, I worked with the Behringer Lab Group to evaluate sponge restoration efforts in Florida Bay following harmful cyanobacteria blooms. I also have experience with small scale tilapia aquaculture operations and habitat mapping off the coast of California.
Erin Walters
MASTERS STUDENTEDUCATION
B.S. University of South Florida
CONTACT
Email: erin.walters@ufl.edu
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I enrolled in the Master’s of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences program in the Spring of 2019. As a biologist for the state I am fortunate to work on research projects pertaining to blue crab and stone crab which seeded the development of my thesis. The ability to successfully manage our natural resources in an ever changing environment and be able to adapt our research to meet the needs of these changes is such an integral part of current research. In terms of accurately representing the current state of our resources, it is amazing the amount of data and knowledge we lack to support annual reports and assessments which drive regulation. Florida blue crab stock assessments lack pertinent data such as discard mortality rates and the inability to successfully age a blue crab. The focus of my project aims on filling in some of the unknowns regarding discard mortality within the commercial Florida blue crab fishery through the use of the Reflex Action Mortality Predictor (RAMP) method. The RAMP method is designed to assess reflex actions of crabs to predict the likelihood of mortality from a generated relationship between reflex impairment and mortality. This method has been successful in predicting mortality in other crustacean fisheries and we hope its adaptation to the Florida blue crab is just as effective.
Staff
Lucas Jennings
Biological ScientistCONTACT
Email: lucas.jennings@ufl.edu
BIO
I joined the Behringer lab in 2016 as a biological scientist to work on the BOEM dredge project. I received a bachelors of science in marine biology from the University of South Florida and my Master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University. I am a specialist in the morphological taxonomy of marine invertebrates. My research interests are: phylogenetics and ecology of isopod crustaceans, phenotypic plasticity, marine invertebrate biodiversity, invertebrate ecology, and invertebrate evolution.
Former Students
Erica Ross
Doctoral Student
Stephen Tracy
Masters Student
Devon Pharo
M.S. University of Florida 2018
Daniel Veras
M.S. University of Florida 2018
Megan Lamb
M.S. University of Florida 2018
Abigail Clark
Ph.D. University of Florida 2017
Nathan Berkebile
M.S. University of Florida 2017
Michael Dickson
M.S. University of Florida 2014
Danielle Puls
M.S. University of Florida 2015
Matthew Smukall
M.S. University of Florida 2014
Elliot Hart
M.S. University of Florida 2014
Andrew Barbour
Ph.D. University of Florida 2013