Dr. Edward Theriot

Dr. Theriot's research focuses on the evolution of diatoms in the context of earth history. His taxonomic focus is on the diatom family Thalassiosiraceae, a family of marine and freshwater diatoms. His most active research project is the study of speciation in the genus Stephanodiscus since the last ice age. Dr. Theriot has a fully equipped DNA lab and shares facilities with the lab of Dr. Bob Jansen. He also has light microscopic capability, full algal culturing facilities and a well-curated personal diatom collection, especially focusing on neo- and paleo-lacustrine samples from across the USA. Students interested in diatom systematics, diatom ecology, theoretical and applied aquatic biology are encouraged to consider graduate training in his laboratory, as are students interested in using the properties of the diatom system (especially extensive fossil record, easy laboratory manipulation for experimentation) to address general questions about evolutionary and ecological principles.