Susan is a chemistry major from Evansville, IN. 

My research involves studying the microbial diversity of the littoral zone of Ledbetter embayment in Kentucky Lake.  By extracting DNA from the sediment, we can eventually determine which species are present, and their relative abundance.  We will study both summer and winter samples to determine how the diversity changes when the littoral zone is flooded or dry.  At present, we have worked out the methods and I am preparing my proposal.  I will take samples throught the fall as the water level is dropped, through the period of winter pool, and in the spring as the water level is brought back up.  DNA will be extracted from the samples and the relative diversity measured by comparing restriction patterns of amplified rDNA.