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The ETIRA Lab at UNC Wilmington
Energetic Trade-offs in Reproduction and Aging
Rachel Magallon
M.S. in Biology
Fall 2023-present

Masters in Biology Thesis
"Somatic Tolerance of C. elegans to Hypoxic Energetic Stress"
C. elegans nematodes are very tolerant to hypoxia except at very low oxygen levels (~0.1%). At these low levels, it is unclear which tissues are most sensitive to this stress. My project is to determine which somatic tissues are most sensitive to hypoxic stress and whether they experience collapse of energy homeostasis.
Caroline Laury
M.S. in Biology
Fall 2023-present

Masters in Biology Thesis
"Reproductive Tolerance of C. elegans to Hypoxic Energetic Stress"
The response of the C. elegans reproductive system to hypoxia stress is largely unknown. My project aims to characterize the response of germline stem cells to extreme hypoxia (0.1% oxygen) and whether cells of the oogenic germline experience collapse of energy homeostasis during extreme hypoxia exposure.
Tarah Krishingner
B.S. in Biology
Fall 2023-present

Biology Departmental Honors Thesis
"The Effects of Energy Stress on Protein Aggregation in C. elegans."
Recent research shows that the energetic state of cells is related to the overall stability of the proteome. Protein instability can lead to protein aggregation, a hallmark of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the relationship between cellular energy state and protein instability is unclear. In my work, I expose C. elegans nematodes to energetic stress and quantify the effect on protein aggregation in neurons and in muscle to better understand this relationship.
Alyse Wierzbicki
B.S. in Biology
B.A. in Spanish
Spring 2022-present

Biology Departmental Honors Thesis
"The Effects of Hypoxia on Energy Buffering Systems on Survival and Reproduction in C. elegans"
The phosphagen system is an energy buffering system that ensures cells do not experience energetic collapase when they are faced with a sudden increase in ATP demand. The phosphagen system in C. elegans is known to play a role in aging, but the precise mechanisms are unknown. My project aims to determine whether the enzymes that regulate the phosphagen system are important for germline stem cell function by looking at the size of the adult germline stem cell pool in strains lacking these enzymes.
Directed Individual Study
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Shanee Yamnitsky
B.S. in Biology
Spring 2023-present
Cole Dunivan
B.S. in Biology
Summer 2023-present
Anna Darlington
B.S. in Biology
Summer 2023-present

Former Members



Sarah Tanberg, Nursing Major
Graduated Spring 2022
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Interdisciplinary Honors Thesis
"The Effects of Starvation and Body Size on Energy Stores in C. elegans"
Alyssa Riveron, Nursing Major
Graduated Spring 2022
Interdisciplinary Honors Thesis
"The Influence of Dietary Restriction and Ovulation on Mitotic Zone Size in Caenorhabditis elegans"
Anna Todd, Biology Major
Graduated Spring 2022
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Departmental Honors Thesis
"Effects of Heat and Starvation on the Muscle Cells of Caenorhabditis elegans"
Other former ETIRA undergrads
Brett Davis (2019-2021)
Makayla Molina (2021)
Michael Antonucci (2019-2021)
Molly Phillips (2024)
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