Dr. Donald C. Behringer
Associate 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
Dalton Goss
Masters StudentEDUCATION
B.S. University of Florida
CONTACT
Email: r.goss@ufl.edu
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I am pursuing a Masters in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences with my interests lying in elasmobranchs and coral reef ecology. I intern for the Florida Program for Shark Research at the Florida Museum of Natural History, studying sawfish encounters and documenting shark attack cases worldwide. My research project is currently undetermined, but will most likely involve analyzing sawfish encounters over time, with the goal of estimating worldwide population growth of the five extant sawfish species.
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
CONTACT
Email:
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Laela Booshehri
Masters StudentEDUCATION
M.S. University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler
B.S. University of Texas at Dallas
CONTACT
Email: laela.booshehri@ufl.edu
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I am working towards a Masters in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences where my primary interests involve marine pathogens, particularly in deep-sea environments. My project will include a review of various potentially pathogenic microorganisms found amid benthic habitats including hydrothermal vents, trenches, and whale fall communities. The aim of the study is to assess the microbial diversity across habitats, as well as, form a picture of the community profiles among parasites, fungi, bacteria, and viral life in the deep-sea.
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.
Scott Jones
Masters StudentEDUCATION
CONTACT
Email:
RESEARCH INTERESTS
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