Lab Members

Dana Hunt

Hunt_CV_2021

Associate Professor of Microbial Ecology, Duke University 2019-present
Assistant Professor of Microbial Ecology, Duke University 2010-2019
PhD Environmental Engineering, MIT 2008
BA Environmental Engineering, Rice University 2001
BA Biochemistry, Rice University 2001

I am broadly interested in the factors that drive bacteria diversity and dynamics in the environment.  My research couples the use of cultured model systems (e.g. vibrios) and molecular techniques applied to the unculturable microbial majority.  The lab works on both basic microbial ecology, focusing on small scale temporal and spatial features that structure bacterial populations, and more applied research on the interactions of bacteria with emerging pollutants.

PhD Students:

Jessica Gronniger

BA Davidson College  2016

PhD Student 2018-present

I am a fourth year PhD student interested in how disturbances such as hurricanes and spatial gradients shape microbial communities in the coastal ocean.

 

Former Graduate Students/ Postdocs:

  • Dr. Zhao Wang PhD 2020, Postdoctoral Associate UC Irvine
  • Dr Nathan Garcia Postdoc 2016-2017, Project Scientist UC Irvine
  • Dr. Charmaine Yung PhD 2016, Assistant Professor, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  • Dr. Tiffany Williams Postdoc 2015-2016
  • Dr. Chris Ward PhD 2015, Assistant Professor, Bowling Green State University
  • Katherine M. Davis MS 2014, PhD student, University of British Columbia

 

Former Visiting Scientists:

  • Jin-fen Pan Ocean University of China (2017-2018)

 

Former Undergraduate Researchers:

  • James Benevidas REU Summer 2022
  • Yuki Chen Independent Study (UNC Chapel Hill) Fall 2021
  • Marisy Nieto REU Summer 2021
  • Medy Mu, Independent Study, Spring/Summer 2021
  • Youyi Xu Visiting undergraduate student (Tianjin University) Spring 2020
  • Katie Crider REU Summer 2019
  • Phoebe Nduta Independent Study  Fall 2018, Summer 2019
  • Yumin Wang Visiting undergraduate student (Tianjin University)  Spring 2018
  • Michael Saporito Independent Study  Spring 2018
  • Claire Yang Independent Study Fall 2016
  • Doris Juarez REU Summer 2016
  • Abby Ardis Independent Study Spring 2014
  • Emily King Independent Study Spring 2014
  • Jiayu Yang Independent Study Summer 2013
  • Alejandra Mera REU Summer 2013
  • Marissa Vereen REU Summer 2012
  • Agata Kantorowska Independent Study Fall 2011
  • Amy Herbert REU Summer 2011
  • Michael Khan REU Summer 2010