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Ariel Kruger

Profile

  • Time Zone
    Eastern

  • Organization
    Rutgers University

  • Employment Status
    University / College Graduate Student

  • Role
    Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  • Research Interests (300 words)
    Broadly, I am interested in how amphibians defend themselves against their natural enemies. My current research focuses on the role of the cutaneous microbiome (community of bacteria that live on skin) in protecting amphibians from a deadly pathogen called the chytrid fungus. The threat to amphibians posed by the chytrid fungus is one of the largest biodiversity crises currently facing our planet. Certain kinds of bacteria that live on amphibian skin are known to produce antifungal compounds that stop the fungus from growing. I am currently investigating where the bacteria on amphibian skin come from and how bacteria communities change over time. Understanding the underlying dynamics of the cutaneous microbiome sheds light on the susceptibility of different species to the chytrid fungus, so we know where to direct valuable conservation attention. In addition to studying bacterial community dynamics, my research also helps identify which bacteria on amphibian skin are strongly antifungal. These “probiotics,” or beneficial bacteria, are a potential conservation tool. Probiotics can be supplemented onto the skin of susceptible amphibians to help protect them from acquiring the chytrid fungus.

  • Profile Question 1
    When and why did you decide to go into a science career?

  • Answer the question you selected for profile question 1 here (300 words):
    I decided on a career in science during a high school biology class. Although science wasn't always my strongest subject, I found that it challenged me and made me think about the world in a way my other courses did not. I was constantly thinking about information I learned in class outside of the classroom. I loved how applicable science was to real life! I found that the more I learned, the more questions I had, and I became even more eager to learn. It wasn't until college that I decided what branch of science I wanted to study - ecology.

  • Profile Question 2
    What is best about being a scientist?

  • Answer the question you selected for profile question 2 here (300 words):
    The best part about being a scientist is being able to investigate your own curiosities. With science, you can always ask more questions. The possibilities are endless!

  • Profile Question 3
    What is your favorite plant? Why?

  • Answer the question you selected for profile question 3 here (300 words):
    My favorite kind of plants are tank bromeliads! I find their overlapping leaves very visually appealing. In addition to be incredibly diverse in size and habitat, the tanks that form from fallen rainwater in the center of the plant provide habitat to a diverse range of organisms. You can find anything from protists to poison dart frog tadpoles living in these structures!

  • Availability
    I am NOT available, please temporarily remove me from the available mentor list

  • Capacity: How many teams at a time are you comfortable working with?
    2

Recent Posts

Group 4 Jace, Leonardo, Hailey, Lunden Ariel Kruger

Hi guys! It is nice to hear from you and learn about your hobbies. I am Ariel, your scientist mentor. My hobbies are bird watching and reading. Can you explain the baking soda experiment a little more? Were you testing the effect of water, baking…

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MEMB Ariel Kruger

My pleasure! It was good to work with you guys, and I'm glad you learned something new. Do you have any questions for me before the project finishes? 

 

bacsbermanfall2017 project 10 Ariel Kruger

Matthew - sounds like you're on the right track! Do you think the plant will still survive in juice? 

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NSF_Logo.jpg This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant #2010556 and #1502892. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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