Morgan-Kiss Lab

Team Protist 2019-20

Rachael and grad student Parnell Sheldon

Team Protist 2018-19

Grad Students: Isha Kalra & Shasten Sherwell

Team Protist 2017-18

Rachael, & Grad Students Shasten Sherwell, Kelli Feaser

Team Protist 2014

Rachael & grad students Wei Li, Chris Sedlecek

PI - RACHAEL MORGAN-KISS

I have been a Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Miami University, since 2007. I grew up in a small town located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. I received a B.Sc. from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, in 1995 and a Ph.D. from the University of Western Ontario, Ontario, in 2000. My Ph.D. dissertation focused on adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus in a psychrophilic green alga isolated from an ice-covered lake in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Following my Ph.D., I took a position as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I worked on bacterial fatty acid synthase and β-oxidation pathways in the laboratory of John Cronan. I then worked as a research scientist in the laboratory of Thomas Hanson at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware. My work at DBI focused on the photobiology of a thermophilic green sulfur bacterium. My current research program focuses on polar microbiology and specifically on the diversity and function of microbial eukaryotes residing in ice-covered Antarctic lakes. Research projects in my laboratory combine field studies in Antarctica with physiological studies on a large collection of polar photosynthetic and eukaryotic microorganisms.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Isha Kalra, PhD (2014 - Present)
Isha's work focuses on understanding how PSI cyclic electron flow contributes to survival of phytoplankton under permanent extreme conditions, including low temperatures and high salinity. She has pursued her research questions on a number of fronts, including algal photochemistry, proteomics, and field science.

Thesis title: Regulation of CEF and assembly of Photosystem I supercomplexes in psychrophilic and mesophilic Chlamydomonas
Antarctic field seasons
2018/19
Publications
Kalra I, Wang X, Cvetkovska M, Jeong J, McHargue W, Zhang R, Hüner NP, Yuan JS, Morgan-Kiss RM. Chlamydomonas sp. UWO 241 exhibits high cyclic electron flow and rewired metabolism
under high salinity. Plant Physiology. 2020 Jan 1.
Cook G, Teufel A, Kalra I, Li W, Wang X, Priscu J, Morgan-Kiss R. The Antarctic psychrophiles Chlamydomonas spp. UWO241 and ICE-MDV exhibit differential restructuring of photosystem I in response to iron. Photosynthesis research. 2019 Aug 15;141(2):209-28.er
Presentations
Awards
Poster Award, Midwest Photosynthesis Meeting 2017
Susan W. Rockwood Excellence in Teaching and Research Award 2017
Orton K Stark Graduate Award 2018

Shasten Sherwell, MSc (2017-present)
Shasten's work focuses on understanding how phytoplankton communities living in the McMurdo Dry Valley lakes respond to environmental change. Her studies have involved three field seasons in Antarctica as well as growing Antarctic algal isolates under lab-controlled conditions.

Dissertation Title: Impact of light and nutrients on phytoplankton natural communities and lab isolates from Lake Bonney, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Antarctic Field Seasons:
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20

Presentations:

Awards

Parnell Sheldon (2018-Present)
Parnell's works on a new area for the lab: understanding the roles of aquatic fungi as decomposers and parasites in the McMurdo Dry Valley food web. He employs amplicon sequencing and microscopy to follow the diversity and distribution of fungi in the lakes.

Thesis Title: Diversity and Distribution of Aquatic Fungi in the McMurdo Dry Valley Lakes, Antarctica
Field Seasons:
2019/20
Presentations:

Abby Mills (2018-Present)
Abby works on gene expression of key photosynthetic and metabolic genes in Chlamydomonas sp. UWO241 in response to long-term stress. She applies algal growth physiology and quantitative PCR to answer her research questions.

Thesis title: Impact of long-term stress acclimation on expression of key photosynthetic and metabolic genes in the photopsychrophile, Chlamydomonas sp. UWO241

UNDERGRADUATES

Isaiah Jacques (2017-present): Isaiah works on long term acclimation of the model alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to high salinity.

Susanna D'Sylva (2017-present): Susanna is characterizing responses of the psychrophile Chlamydomonas sp. UWO241 to extended high stress, including low temperatures and high light.

PAST MEMBERS

Zev Cariani, MSc (2015-2018)

Zev's Master's project focused on understanding how phytoplankton of varying trophic ability (photosynthesis vs. mixotrophic) adapt to and survive the polar winter. Zev's experiments involved mimicking Antarctic summer and winter conditions and monitoring algal response, measuring algal photochemistry, cell viability, storage oils, chlorophyll levels and B-glucosaminidase activity.

Dissertation Title: Impact of simulated polar night on Antarctic mixotrophic and strict photoautotrophic phytoplankton Zev's thesis
Presentations:
Current Position: Research Associate, Chisholm Lab, Department of Biology, MIT

Greg Cook, MSc (2014-2017)
Greg's masters project focused on the effect of iron availability on the functional and structural organization of the photosynthetic apparatus in two Antarctic algal strains, C. sp. UWO241 and C. sp. ICE-MDV.

Dissertation Title: Antarctic Chlamydomonas strains C. sp. Uwo241 and ICE-MDV exhibit differential restructuring of the photosynthetic apparatus in response to iron Greg's thesis
Presentations:
Cook G., Kalra I., Stahl S., Kiss A.J., Morgan-Kiss R.M. (2015) Adaptation to permanent environmental stress in the Antarctic alga Chlamydomonas raudensis: a study of a non-model photosynthetic organisms. Poster presented at American Society of Plant Biologists, Danforth Plant Science Center.
Cook G., Morgan-Kiss R.M. (2017) Antarctic Chlamydomonas Strains C. sp. UWO241 and ICE-MDV Exhibit Differential Restructuring of the Photosynthetic Apparatus in Response to Iron. Poster presented at Gordon Conference: Photosynthesis, Sunday River, ME.
Publications:
Cook G.P., Teufel A.G., Kalra I., Li W., Priscu J.P., Wang X., Morgan-Kiss R.M. (2019) The Antarctic psychrophiles Chlamydomonas spp. UWO241 and ICE-MDV exhibit differential restructuring of Photosystem I in response to iron. Photosynthesis Research. 141:209-228
Present Position: Technical Specialist, Mettler Toledo

Wei Li, PhD , EEEB (2011-2016)
Thesis Title: Functional and Morphological Diversity of Predatory and Mixotrophic Protists in McMurdo Dry Valley Lakes Wei's thesis

Wei was a doctoral student in the Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (EEEB) program at Miami University. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology technology at Sichuan University, China in 2005, and later graduated from the Huaxi Medical Center, Sichuan University with a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. In August 2011, he joined the Morgan-Kiss Lab in department of Microbiology at Miami University to pursue his interest in studying the lake ecosystems in Antarctica. The goal of the undergoing project, which he is participating in, is to investigate the effects of major abiotic environmental factors on the distribution of mixotrophic protists in Antarctic lakes.

Antarctic Field Seasons:
2012
2014

Presentations:
1. Li W., Dolhi J.M., Morris M., Morgan-Kiss R.M. (2012) Effects of temperature and light on photosynthetic function on the psychrophilic green alga Chlamydomonas raudensis UWO241. Ohio Branch of American Society of Microbiologists Branch Meeting. The Procter & Gamble Mason Business Center, OH.
2. Li W., Edelman R., Morgan-Kiss R.M. (2013) Molecular and morphological characterization of microbial eukaryotes (protists) residing in ice-covered Antarctic lakes. Poster at International Conference on Polar & Alpine Microbiology, Big Sky, MT.

Awards:
Orton K. Stark Scholarship and Leadership Award 2015

Publications:

Kong W., Li W., Romancova I., Prasil O., Morgan-Kiss R.M. (2014) Spatio-temporal patterns of a major photochemistry gene (psbA) in a chemically stratified Antarctic Lake. FEMS Microbial Ecol. Special Issue: Polar and Alpine Microbiology 82:293-802
Li, W., Podar, M., & Morgan-Kiss, R. M. (2016). Ultrastructural and single-cell-level characterization reveals metabolic versatility in a microbial eukaryote community from an ice-covered Antarctic lake. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 82(12), 3659-3670.Biology, 40(5), 1007-1022.
Teufel, A. G., Li, W., Kiss, A. J., & Morgan-Kiss, R. M. (2017). Impact of nitrogen and phosphorus on phytoplankton production and bacterial community structure in two stratified Antarctic lakes: a bioassay approach. Polar Biology, 40(5), 1007-1022.
Li, W., Dolhi-Binder, J., Cariani, Z. E., & Morgan-Kiss, R. M. (2019). Drivers of protistan community autotrophy and heterotrophy in chemically stratified Antarctic lakes. Aquatic Microbial Ecology, 82(3), 225-239.
Cook, G., Teufel, A., Kalra, I., Li, W., Wang, X., Priscu, J., & Morgan-Kiss, R. (2019). The Antarctic psychrophiles Chlamydomonas spp. UWO241 and ICE-MDV exhibit differential restructuring of photosystem I in response to iron. Photosynthesis research, 1-20.

Present Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Priscu Lab, Montana State University

Amber Teufel, PhD, Microbiology (2011-2016)
Thesis Title: Influence of abiotic drivers (light and nutrients) on photobiology and diversity of Antarctic lake algae. Amber's PhD Thesis

I entered the lab in the Fall of 2011. I hold an associates degree in science from Ashland University and a Bachelors of Science degree from The University of Toledo where I studied Biology and Chemistry and my undergraduate research focused on Maize transcription factors. After coming to Miami University I found an interest for Polar Ecology and joined the lab. My current research focuses on the circadian rhythms of Antarctic Algae in various environments and their responses to various abiotic factors.

Outreach:
Visited East Knox High School, Mount Vernon, Ohio (see Newspaper article)         September, 2014

Antarctic Field Seasons:
2012

Presentations:
1. Siebenaler A., Morgan-Kiss R.M. (2012) Circadian Response in the Antarctic alga, Chlamydomonas raudensis UWO 241. Ohio Branch of American Society of Microbiologists Branch Meeting. The Procter & Gamble Mason Business Center, OH.
2. Siebenaler A.G., Obryk M., Doran P., Morgan-Kiss R.M. (2013) Characterization of Antarctic algae and their response to a diel (day/night) light cycle. Poster at International Conference on Polar & Alpine Microbiology, Big Sky, MT.
3. Teufel A., Morgan-Kiss R.M. (2015) Impact of Mimicked Summer Flood Event (Nutrient Amendment) on Microbial Communities Residing in Two Chemically Stratified Antarctic Lakes. ASLO. Granada Spain.

Awards:
Student Poster Award, ASLO Aquatic Science Meeting                                            2015
Top Oral Presentation, Graduate Research Forum                                                   2014
Student Travel Award, 2015 ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting                               2014
3-Minute Thesis Award, first place                                                                                      2014
Robbert B. Vester Award for Environmental Research                                           2013
Susan W. Rockwood Excellence in Teaching and Research Award                   2013

Publications:

Dolhi J., Teufel A., Morgan-Kiss R. (2015) Diversity and spatial distribution of autotrophic communities within and between ice-covered Antarctic lakes (McMurdo Dry Valleys) Limnology & Oceanography. 60: 977-991
Teufel, A. G., Li, W., Kiss, A. J., & Morgan-Kiss, R. M. (2017). Impact of nitrogen and phosphorus on phytoplankton production and bacterial community structure in two stratified Antarctic lakes: a bioassay approach. Polar Biology, 40(5), 1007-1022.
Morgan-Kiss, R. M., & Teufel, A. G. (2018). Physiological and Biochemical Adaptations of Psychrophiles. In Extremophiles (pp. 185-208). CRC Press.
Cook, G., Teufel, A., Kalra, I., Li, W., Wang, X., Priscu, J., & Morgan-Kiss, R. (2019). The Antarctic psychrophiles Chlamydomonas spp. UWO241 and ICE-MDV exhibit differential restructuring of photosystem I in response to iron. Photosynthesis research, 1-20.

Present Position: BFF Microbiologist, Proctor & Gamble

Jenna Dolhi, PhD Microbiology (2008-2014)

Thesis Title: Environmental Impacts on RubisCO: from Green Algal Laboratory Isolates to Antarctic Lake Communities ( Jenna's thesis)

Jenna's Publications:
1. Kong W. ,Dolhi J., Chiuchiolo A., Priscu J.C., Morgan-Kiss R. (2012) High diversity of the form II RubisCO gene in a perennially ice-covered Antarctic lake. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. Special Issue: Polar and Alpine Microbiology.
2. Dolhi J., Ketchum N., Morgan-Kiss R.M. (2012) Use of carbon fixation potential as a measure of metabolic versatility between phototrophic and mixotrophic enrichment cultures isolated from a chemically stratified Antarctic lake. J Visual Exp. 62:e3992.
3. Morgan-Kiss R.M., Dolhi J.D. Microorganisms and Plants: a Photosynthetic Perspective. In: Storey K., Tanino K. [Eds.] Nature at Risk: Temperature in a Changing Climate. CABI 2011; pp. 24-44.
4. Dolhi J.M., Maxwell D.P., Morgan-Kiss R.M. (2013) Review: The Antarctic Chlamydomonas raudensis: an emerging model for cold adaptation of photosynthesis. Extremophiles 17:711-722
5. Dolhi J., Teufel A., Morgan-Kiss R. (2015) Diversity and spatial distribution of autotrophic communities within and between ice-covered Antarctic lakes (McMurdo Dry Valleys) Limnology & Oceanography. 60: 977-991
6. Li, W., Dolhi-Binder, J., Cariani, Z. E., & Morgan-Kiss, R. M. (2019). Drivers of protistan community autotrophy and heterotrophy in chemically stratified Antarctic lakes. Aquatic Microbial Ecology, 82(3), 225-239.

Jenna's Awards:
NASA Astrobiology Institute early career scientist travel grant                    2013
Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research travel award                                 2012
Susan W. Rockwood Excellence in Teaching and Research Award              2011
Orton K. Stark Scholarship and Leadership Award                                            2011
International Chlamydomonas Association travel award                              2010
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Honorable Mention                2010

Sarah Stahl, MSc Microbiology (2012-2014)
Dissertation Title: Photooxidative stress response in mesophilic and psychrophilic strains of Chlamydomonas raudensis: a comparative study (Sarah's Thesis)

Present Position: Microbiologist, NASA Johnson Space Flight Center, Houston, Texas

Weidong Kong, Postdoctoral Fellow
(2008 - 2011, 2013)

Present Position: Professor, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Chinese Academy of Sciences

Sarah Jaffri-Haider, MSc Microbiology (2008 - 2011)

Dissertation Title: Characterization of the photosynthetic apparatus of Chlorella BI sp., an Antarctic mat alga, under varying trophic growth states (Sarah's Thesis)

Present Position: QC Analyst, Edlong Dairy Flavors

Past Undergraduates

Melissa Morris (Grad school)
Tri Sangabun (Photographer)
Alex Loomis (Medical School, OSU)
Audrey Lloyd (Medical School-Ohio State U)
Nivette Perez-Perez (Grad school)
Nick Ketchum
David Ream (Grad school-Miami U);
Elizabeth Chmela
Shawn Dorsey (Banking Professional-Columbus)
Patrick Feasel (Medical School-U Dayton)
Scott Bielewicz (Clinical Technician-Cincinnati Children’s Hospital)
Edward Rivera (Engineer-Lockheed Martin)
Ashley Weber (Student Advisor-U. Cincinnati)
Donald Holter (Veterinary Medicine-Ross U)
Kevin McLauchlan (Grad school)
Justin Prutz