Dr. Andy Canion
Former Ph.D. Student

B.S. Biology. 2004. University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Research Interests: I am interested in the relationship between microbial community composition and organic matter cycling in coastal environments. For my research, I plan to focus on the role of permeable sediments (sands) as biocatalytical "filters" that remineralize organic matter. Understanding these filters and identifying the microbes involved is crucial to understanding the fate of anthropogenic nitrogen inputs as well as the global carbon cycle.
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Email: canion@ocean.fsu.edu
Dr. Thomas Gihring
Former Ph.D. Student

M.S. Geology. 2001. The University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
B.S. Geology. 1998. The University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
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Email: gihring@ocean.fsu.edu
Dr. Denise Akob
Former Ph.D. Student

B.S. Biology. 2002. St. Mary's College of Maryland
Dissertation Title: Structure and Function of Microbial Communities Controlling the Fate and Transformation of U(VI) in Radionuclide Contaminated Subsurface Sediments.
After FSU: Denise started a Postdoc in Germany at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, working with Dr. Kirsten Küsel in the Institute for Ecology.
Email: deniseakob@gmail.com
Patrick Chanton
Former M.S. Student
Research Interests: My research is focused on microbial ecology and the carbon cycle in northern peat lands. I study microbes and extracellular enzymes that degrade complex phenolic compounds, which is thought to be the limiting step in the release of carbon from peat lands. Understanding the factors that change activity of phenol oxidase enzymes may be crucial to understanding the role that climate change may play on the storage and release of carbon.
Email: pchanton3@gatech.edu
Claire Smith
Former M.S. Student

Research Interests: My previous research involved the hydroboration of carbon nanotubes. This project utilized ultraviolet to facilitate the reaction between borane containing compounds and the extremely stable nanotubes. At FSU I plan on working on the upcoming project to use algae to create biofuels from existing biomass.
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Email: clsmith387@gmail.com
Evan Hunter
Former M.S. Student
B.S. Biology. 2002. University of Cincinnati
After FSU: Evan worked as an environmental scientist at PBS&J for close to 4 years. He now manages Gretchen Hofmann’s lab at the University of California-Santa Barbara, where he studies the effects of ocean acidification and climate change on marine invertebrates.
Email: evanhunter9680@gmail.com