Undergraduate Research

Interested in an undergraduate research project?

Undergraduates may do research in my lab for credit by signing up for Directed Individual Studies (BIOL 4890). To do so, please stop by my office to discuss course requirements and potential projects. If you want to set up an appointment call (478-5857) or email me (opung@GeorgiaSouthern.edu).

 

Toshica Conyers: Prevalence and intensity of flying squirrel gastrointestinal parasites. Toshica is a co-author on the following publication: Pung, O.J., L. A. Durden, M. J. Patrick, T. Conyers, and L. R. Mitchell. 2000. Ectoparasites and gastrointestinal helminths of southern flying squirrels in southeast Georgia. Journal of Parasitology. 86: 1051-1055.

 

Casey Walker: Impact of the fluke Microphallus turgidus on grass shrimp egg production. Casey is a co-author on the following manuscript: Pung, O.J., R.N. Khan, S.P. Vives, and C.B. Walker. 2002. Prevalence, geographic distribution, and fitness effects of Microphallus turgidus (Trematoda: Microphallidae) in grass shrimp (Palaemonetes spp.) from coastal Georgia. Journal of Parasitology. 88: 89-92.

 

Vontressia Lawson and Marion Marshall: Optimization of culture conditions for the in vitro excystment of Microphallus turgidus. Vontressia and Marion are co-authors on the following paper: Khan, Ritandra N., Josh R. Pacut, Oscar J. Pung, Vontressia Lawson, and Mariam Marshall. 2003. In vitro excystation of metacercariae of Microphallus turgidus under different physicochemical conditions. Parasitology Research. 90: 435-437.

 

Chad Klopotic: Effect of Microphallus turgidus infection on startle responses in the grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio.

 

Brad Grinstead: Effect of salinity on the prevalence and distribution of Microphallus turgidus in grass shrimp. Brad co-authored the following paper: Pung, Oscar J., Christopher B. Grinstead, and Stephen P. Vives. 2006. Variation in the geographic and temporal and distribution of Microphallus turgidus (Trematoda: Microphallidae) in grass shrimp (Palaemonetes spp.) on tidal rivers in subtropical southeast Georgia, U.S.A. Comparative Parasitology. 73: 172-178.

 

Raquel Williams: Impact of the fluke Microphallus turgidus on grass shrimp swimming endurance.

 

Joseph Scott: Effect of predation by fish on grass shrimp behavior. (Co-advised with Bruce Schulte and Alyssa Kunz.)

 

Melissa Ford: Effect of predation by fish on grass shrimp behavior. Melissa co-authored the following paper: Kunz, Alyssa K., Melissa Ford, and Oscar J. Pung. 2006. Behavior of the grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio and its response to the presence of the predatory fish Fundulus heteroclitus. American Midland Naturalist. 155: 286-294.

 

Kraig Kersten: Distribution of hydrobiid snails and their parasites along the Skidaway River, Geogia. (Student from Armstrong Atlantic State University)  Kraig is a co-author on the following publication: Pung, Oscar J., Christopher B. Grinstead, Kraig Kersten, and Catherine L. Edenfield.  2008.  Spatial distribution of hydrobiid snails in salt marsh along the Skidaway River in Southeastern Georgia with notes on their larval trematode parasites. Southeastern Naturalist. In press.

 

Eboni Rogers: Gastrointestinal helminths of the oldfield mouse.

 

Katie Edenfield: Chlorophyll-a levels in marsh sediments on Skidaway Island. (Student from Berry College) Katie is a co-author on the following publication: Pung, Oscar J., Christopher B. Grinstead, Kraig Kersten, and Catherine L. Edenfield.  2008.  Spatial distribution of hydrobiid snails in salt marsh along the Skidaway River in Southeastern Georgia with notes on their larval trematode parasites. Southeastern Naturalist. In press.

 

E. Dewun Brown: Hydrobiid snail feeding studies. (REU Student from University of Southern Mississippi )

 

Christina Jarrous and Micah Lancaster: In vitro cultivation of Microphallus turgidus.

 

Whitney Barfield: Interaction between cercariae of the trematode Microphallus turgidus and Palaemonetes spp. grass shrimp. (McNair Scholar)

 

Michael Walker: In vitro cultivation of trematodes and host susceptibility studies. (Student from Armstrong Atlantic State University)