Sandra A. Nierzwicki-Bauer
Professor of Biology
Director, Darrin Fresh Water Institute
Education and Training
B.A. University of New Hampshire, 1979
Microbiology
Ph.D. University of New Hampshire, 1983
Microbiology
Title: “Novel Aspects of Ultrastructure in Two Species of Cyanobacteria”
Postdoctoral Training: University of Chicago, 1984-1985
Molecular Genetics
Contact
E-mail: nierzs@rpi.edu
Troy Campus: Materials Research Center (MRC) 306
(518) 276-2359
Bolton Landing Field Station: 5060 Lakeshore Drive, Bolton Landing NY 12814
(518) 644-3541
Research Interests
- Molecular studies of microbial and picoeukaryote communities in lakes and rivers.
- Basic and applied studies of invasive species (zebra mussels).
- Water resource management and environmental remote sensing.
Molecular studies of microbial and picoeukaryote communities in lakes and rivers. The biodiversity of freshwater microbial and picoeukaryotes is still understudied (compared with marine environments) with many more organisms to be discovered. We are using molecular approaches, as well as more traditional culturing and microscopic methodologies to elucidate the structure and function of community composition in Adirondack lakes, some of which have been impacted by acid rain or other pollutants.
Basic and applied studies of invasive species (zebra mussels). Zebra mussels are an invasive species that have significant economic and ecological impacts. We are carrying out basic studies on zebra mussels which include; development of molecular probes for their early detection and bioassays for gaining a better understanding of chemical and physical factors that influence or can predict their survival. We are carrying out applied studies that deal with management of zebra mussels once they have been introduced into freshwater bodies, as well as proactive monitoring/detection strategies to help prevent colonization.
Water resource management and environmental remote sensing. We are using a combination of traditional and advanced techniques to study human impacts on water resources. The approaches that we are utilizing include automated water chemistry profiling systems, side-scan sonar, satellite remote sensing, solar powered autonomous underwater vehicles (SAUV’s) and hydroacoutics, to name a few.
Selected Publications
Percent, S. F., M.E. Frischer, P.A. Vescio, E. B. Duffy, V. Milano, M. McLellan, B.M. Stevens, C.W. Boylen and S.A. Nierzwicki-Bauer. 2008. Bacterial community structure of acid impacted lakes: What controls diversity? Appl. Environ. Microbiol. Oct. 2007 Accepted with Revision.
Sullivan, T.J., B.J. Cosby, A.T. Herlihy, C.T. Driscoll, I. J. Fernandez, T.C. McDonnell, C.W. Boylen, S.A. Nierzwicki-Bauer, and K.U. Snyder. 2007. Assessment of the extent to which intensively-studied lakes are representative of the Adirondack region and response to future changes in acidic deposition. Water Air Soil Pollut. 185:279-291.
Lawrence, G.B., J.W. Sutherland, C.W. Boylen, S.A. Nierzwicki-Bauer, B. Momen, B.P. Baldigo, and H.A. Simonin, 2007. Acid rain effects on aluminum mobilization clarified by inclusion of strong organic acids. Environ. Sci. Tech. 41:93-98.
Momen, B., Lawrence, G.B., Nierzwicki-Bauer, S.A., Sutherland, J.W., Eichler, L.W., Harrison, J.P., and Boylen, C.W. 2006. Trends in summer chemistry linked to productivity in lakes recovering from acid deposition in the Adirondack Region of New York. Ecosystems 9:1306-1317.
Richards, T.A., A. A. Vepritskiy, D. Gouliamova, and S. A. Nierzwicki-Bauer. 2005. The molecular diversity of freshwater picoeukaryotes from an oligotrophic lake reveals diverse, distinctive and globally dispersed lineages. Environ. Microbiol. 7:1413-1425.
Frischer, M.E., B.R. McGrath, A.S. Hansen, P.A. Vescio, J.A.Wyllie, J. Wimbush, and S.A. Nierzwicki-Bauer. 2005. Introduction pathways, differential survival of adult and larval zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), and possible management strategies, in an Adirondack Lake; Lake George, NY. Lake and Reservoir Management. 21:391-402.
Vepritskiy, A. A., I. A. Vitol, and S. A. Nierzwicki-Bauer. 2002. Novel group I intron in tRNALeu(UAA) gene of a gamma proteobacterium isolated from a deep subsurface environment. J. Bacteriol. 184:1481-1487.
Frischer, M. E., A.S. Hansen, J.A. Wyllie, J. Wimbush, J. Murray, and S.A. Nierzwicki-Bauer. 2002. Specific amplification of the 18S rRNA gene as a method to detect zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) larvae in plankton samples. Hydrobiologia. 487:33-44.
Frischer, M. E., S. A. Nierzwicki-Bauer, R.H. Parsons, K. Vathanodorn, and K.R. Waitkus. 2000. Interactions between zebra mussels (D. polymorpha) and microbial communities. Can. J. Fish. Aquatic Sci. 57: 591-599.
Barns, S.M. and S.A. Nierzwicki-Bauer. 1997. Microbial diversity in ocean, surface and subsurface environments. In: J. Banfield and K. Nealson (eds.) Reviews in Mineralogy. Vol. 35. Geomicrobiology Interactions Between Microbes and Minerals. Publisher Mineralogical Society of America. pp.44-62.
