Jenna Derickson - Olive Fly Lure and Drosopila Yeast

Student Projects

UC Davis undergraduate students who have completed a microbiology class with lab are invited to contact the curator regarding undergraduate research opportunities.  Recent research projects performed by undergraduate students include:

• Analysis of yeast species association and preference of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly)
• Analysis of yeast associated with the plant pest Bactrocera olea (olive fly)
• Characterization of novel species of yeast
• Purification and analysis of the active component of Fusarium lateritium growth medium which exhibits biocontrol of the plant pathogen Eutypa lata

Several undergraduate and graduate students per quarter work at the Phaff Yeast Culture Collection either as paid undergraduate assistants, or for independent research (FST 199 units).  These projects often utilize the strains in the Phaff Yeast Culture Collection, or generate additional strains that are purified, identified, and deposited into the collection.  Some projects that are currently in progress at the Phaff Collection are: