Jack is a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Center (AGGRC), a part of the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. He grew up in North Carolina where he loved spending time outdoors catching tadpoles, frogs, salamanders, and crayfish in the stream next to his house. Jack enjoys SCUBA diving and taking pictures.
Education
2021 Ph.D. Integration Biology, Oregon State University, Adviser: Dr. Virginia M. Weis
2015 h.B.S. Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Adviser: Dr. Joseph R. Pawlik
Graduate School
Jack was awarded his Ph.D in Integrative Biology from Oregon State University in 2021. His dissertation work examined the effects of climate and environmental changes on the symbiosis between the temperate sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima, its bacterial community, and its microalgal symbionts, Breviolum muscatinei (formerly Symbiodinium muscatinei) and Elliptochloris marina (collectively referred to as the holobiont). He investigated the enzyme carbonic anhydrase and the role it plays in internal pH homeostasis and symbiosis maintenance and the role of the microbiome in buffering the sea anemone host from pH challenges. He also made some preliminary attempts at sequencing the genome of the green algal symbiont, Elliptochloris marina.
Undergraduate School
Jack completed his B.S. in Marine Biology with University and Departmental Honors from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2015. His honors thesis work examined the importance of heterotrophy and photoautotrophic symbiosis for growth and survival of the model-cnidarian sea anemone Aiptasia (Exaiptasia diaphana; formerly known as Aiptasia pallida).