Cleo Baldoumas

Advisor Jarrett Man, Lillian Fritz-Laylin

• Contributing to tool development for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) using the NanoLuc system to quantify protein expression of engineered plasmids.
• Currently lead an independent project identifying a density-dependent survival mechanism, where conditioned media can increase low-density culture survival by ~30%. Produced preliminary workflows that will support future generation of stable, isogenic single-cell Bd lines.

Advisor: Dr. Greg Pask

Project 1: Phenology of Male Attraction in Photinus corruscus

• Led research on Photinus corruscus (Winter Firefly), focusing on the phenology of male attraction to female sex pheromones and potential sensory shifts across the life cycle. Investigated functional links between olfactory receptors and sensory structures involved in pheromone detection from early march to late July.

Project 2: Chemosensory Investigation in Lucidota atra

• Contributed to research on Lucidota atra (Woodland Lucy) using headspace volatile collection and solvent extraction to aid in ongoing pheromone identification. Captured high-resolution SEM (scanning-electron microscopy) images of antennal sensilla to characterize candidate chemosensory structures.

Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Thaler and Matthew Barrett

• Conducted mentored undergraduate research for a duration of 10 weeks on changes in plant defense mechanisms in response to subsequent herbivory. Trichomes were analyzed using microscopy on leaf punch samples, leaf hardness was measured using a penetrometer, and leaf samples were collected and analyzed for cucurbitacins and jasmonic acid concentration using the HPLC technique, contributing to research on eavesdropping by Anasa tristis (squash bugs) during Acalymma vittatum (cucumber beetle) mating. Analyzed results using R. Also aided an existing project investigating host behavior of parasitized Acalymma vittatum.