People

J. Cameron Thrash, Assistant Professor

I’m a Southern California native and grew up in Orange County. I managed to complete undergraduate studies at UC San Diego in spite of being constantly tempted with beautiful weather, epic surf and easy ocean access. Afterwards, I worked as a technician for Monica J. Carson at The Scripps Research Institute on microglial gene expression during central nervous system disease. Switching gears after falling for microbes, I attended UC Berkeley for graduate school and focused on traditional anaerobic microbial physiology in the lab of John D. Coates. Grad work included bioelectrochemical reduction of perchlorate- a major contaminant of groundwater in the United States- isolation of novel perchlorate reducing microorganisms, and side projects involving anaerobic oxidation of Fe(II) and U(IV). Most recently, I postdoc’d with Stephen J. Giovannoni at Oregon State University, focusing on a variety of topics on the evolution and genomics of SAR11, the most abundant marine bacteria. I’m an enthusiastic surfer/diver/general ocean fiend and crossfitter. I have occasionally blogged at One World One Ocean in The Water Column, and I also co-host a free online microbiology seminar series with Jen Biddle over at MicroSeminar.

Cameron’s Google Scholar citations
Cameron’s interview with People Behind the Science
Twitter: @jcamthrash
CV

Graduate Students

Mike Henson

Born and raised in the Midwest, I came to LSU and the Thrash lab from Dr. Deric Learman’s lab at Central Michigan University where I completed my MS thesis investigating genomic, physiological, and chromate reduction variation among four isolates. While at the Learman lab, I was able to take part in projects at Poyang Lake (Nanchang, China), the Antarctic shelf, and in Great Lake coastal wetlands. My past research experience includes a year as a Student Contract at the US EPA working with Dr. Jorge Santo Domingo. Together my research experiences have pulled me in many directions, but ultimately led me to develop a great passion for research in environmental microbiology, specifically investigating how environmental disturbances, geochemistry, biogeography, and the microbial community intertwine to tell a more complete functional community story. Outside of the lab, I enjoy the outdoors, being on the water, and am working to get my certification to become a scientific diver.

Twitter: @HensonMW_08

Undergraduates

Emily Nall

I was born in Pensacola, Florida, but moved to Opelousas, Louisiana when I was still young. I am majoring in Biological Sciences with a marine concentration. I enjoy reading, video games, anime, soccer, music, and animals. I am also an Honors Student and plan to graduate in 2018.

Twitter: @emily_nall








Celeste Lanclos

I grew up in Opelousas, LA and never left much until I came to LSU in 2012. Since starting college, I have developed a love for travel and experiencing new things. I am working on traveling to all of the National Parks in the US, and I ultimately want to visit Peru and hike to Machu Picchu. I am majoring in Independent Studies with concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, and Oceanography and Coastal Sciences with hopes of continuing research after I graduate.

Twitter: @vclanclos



Bailey Dixon

I was born in Baton Rouge and grew up in New Roads, LA before moving to Zachary my freshman year of high school. Then from my sophomore year to my senior year I lived in Natchitoches to attend the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts where I further developed my interest in biology. I also love animals and was president of the Animal Welfare club while in Natchitoches and spent countless hours fundraising and working at the animal rescue. I’m majoring in microbiology with the goal of obtaining a terminal degree to do research after undergrad.






Anna Lucchesi

I was born in Toledo, Ohio. I have lived in several different states throughout my life including, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Borger, Texas, New Orleans, and now currently Baton Rouge, Louisiana. My major is Natural Resource Ecology and Management with the concentration of Conservation Biology, LSU Class of 2019. Since a young age I’ve always had a passion for the ocean, an obsession with cephalopods, and a love for scuba diving.

Twitter: @AnnamLucchesi






Britney
Hello, its Britney, but you can call me Brit. I was born and raised in small town Louisiana. I love to sing and dance, but since joining the Thrash lab I have found my new calling: lab safety. Have you ever seen those crazy videos and stories about labs blowing up? Well its my job to make sure that the Thrash lab members stay safe and continue to brush up on their dance moves (Hot damn!). Ever wondered what the proper lab PPE looks like, look no further than my photo. Cheers to a successful start in the lab and I can’t wait to keep learning new lab skills though my hands don’t move too well  😦 .






Past members

Brette Campbell – B.S. Microbiology, 2014.
Chase Doiron
Rene Girard – B.S. Biology, 2015. After: graduate school at University of Texas Northeast
David Pitre – B.S. Biology, Amborski Award winner, 2015. After: medical school at LSU New Orleans
Nicolas Spatafora – transferred to Oregon State University
Austen Weber
Jessica Weckhorst – B.S. Microbiology, Socolofski Award winner, 2015. After: graduate school at Baylor University