Invasive Bacteria Affecting the Food Web – Summer Undergraduate Research Experience

Nina Demma, an Environmental Science undergraduate student at Lewis University, is answering “Can Dreissena Polymorpha (zebra mussel) Contribute Species to the Microbiome of Daphnia Dentifera (water flea)?”

The Lincoln Way Central High School alumna is studying the invasive species, zebra mussels, and how they affect the food web. It is part of the Dr. James Girard Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) for 2023.

The New Lenox ,Ill., student hopes her work can lead to better methods and procedures for providing clean drinking water to communities.

Dr. Jerry Kavouras, professor and chair of the biology department at Lewis University, serving as her mentor.

#zebra_mussel
#water_flea
#microbiome
#food_web
#invasive_species
#clean_drinking_water
#biology#research
#undergraduate
#environment
#conservation