Dr. Irena Kaczmarska

Professor

"Diatom flora and paleoecological analysis of Eemian profile in freshwater deposits at Imbramowice near Wroclaw"

1972 - M.Sc. (Biology), Jagellonian University, Cracov, Poland

"Late-Glacial diatom flora at Knapowka near Wloszczowa (South Poland)"

I am interested in all things diatomological

- past, present and future

Major projects currently in progress are:

1. Evolution and ecology of marine planktonic diatoms

   Diatoms (microscopic marine plants) are extremely important ecologically (they are responsible for 20% of global primary production) and economically (producing amnesic shellfish poisoning). It is also the most species rich group of microscopic plants with an estimated 200,000+ species. Diatoms are a relatively new evolutionary arrival, suggesting a high rate of speciation. The mechanism(s) of diatom speciation are unknown.

   The long term objective of my research is to advance the understanding of diatom evolution and speciation through investigation of the reproductive processes, sex-cell structures and breeding systems in key diatom lineages. Currently, we test hypotheses explaining how similar morphology might have evolved in unrelated groups and how informative the structure of diatom sex-cells is in inferring evolution of individual lineages. We also want to find out if the nuclear encoded internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) RNA transcript secondary structure is consistent with other biota and whether compensatory base changes (CBCs) in the strongly conserved regions of the transcript may predict sexual incompatibility in diatoms, thus helping to identify target organisms for breeding experiments. Finally we plan to conduct the first ever investigation of pattern of inheritance in diatoms, using crosses between first generation progeny including putative homozygous recessive and heterozygous dominant partners.

2. Non-indigenous diatoms

   This project is a part of the Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network (CAISN, NSERC). We are examining temporal changes and genetic variability of diatom aquatic invasive species (AIS) brought to Canada in ship ballast waters. We aim to identify both the composition and the size of incoming ballast diatom propagule, propagule pressure and the factors affecting their survival and establishment in new environments.

3. Diversity of Arctic diatoms (CHONe)

   Compared to terrestrial plants and complex animals, species diversity of diatoms is relatively poorly known. In collaboration with Dr. C. Lovejoy (Laval) we are using classical and molecular tools to assess specific and genetic diversity of Arctic diatoms, with particular focus on thalassiosiroids. Following the testing and selection of the species specific molecular tag (barcode) for diatom species we now use the nuclear encoded 5.8-ITS-2 fragment to identify known and discover new species in Canadian coastal waters.

4. Biodiversity and valorisation of blue diatoms

   An international program supported by the EU International Research Staff Exchange, Marie Curie Funds, supports investigation of genetic diversity of the “blue diatoms”, the species producing a pigment compound called marennine, a polyphenolic molecule with valuable biological activities. We will search for new species with these characteristics in Canada and worldwide, and attempt to genetically characterize the strains with highest rate of production of this compound.

We seek applications for a Masters Graduate Student in diatom reproductive biology; project 1 described above. We encourage application from motivated individuals interested in micro-eukaryotes.

The ideal candidate will have experience with microbial cultures (preferably diatoms) and standard molecular techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, etc.).

To apply, please send a resume, transcript, thesis abstract (if applicable) and contact information for three references to:

Dr. Irena Kaczmarska
Department of Biology
Mount Allison University
63B York Street
Sackville, NB
E4L 1G7 Canada

e-mail: iehrman@mta.ca

Review of applications is ongoing until the position is filled. The initial appointment will be for one year, with continuation of support pending on satisfactory performance, with the possibility of further extension by collaborating on future research proposals.

Books and book chapters:

• Ehrman, J.M. & I. Kaczmarska. 2012. Strategies for high-throughput microscopy in algal research. In: Wołowski, K., I. Kaczmarska, J.M. Ehrman & A.Z. Wojtal (eds.). Current advances in algal taxonomy and its applications: phylogenetic, ecological and applied perspective. W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, p. 253-262.
• Kaczmarska, I., M.L. MacGillivary, L. Mather, L. & J.M. Ehrman. 2012. Current advances in the biology of marine araphid diatoms. In: Wołowski, K., I. Kaczmarska, J.M. Ehrman & A.Z. Wojtal (eds.). Current advances in algal taxonomy and its applications: phylogenetic, ecological and applied perspective. W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, p. 69-78.
• Villac, M.C. & I. Kaczmarska. 2011. Marine planktonic diatoms, including potentially toxic species. In: “The Diatom World” vol. 19. Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology. Seckbach, J. & J. P. Kociolek (eds.), Springer Science + Business Media B.V, pp. 465-490.
• Villac, M.C., G.J. Doucette & I. Kaczmarska. 2010. Toxic marine diatoms. In: The Diatoms, Applications for the Environmental and Earth Sciences. Smol, J.P. and E.F Stoermer (eds.), 2^nd revised edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
• Przybyłowska-Lange, W., I. Kaczmarska, B. Marciniak, & J. Siemińska. 1989. Gromada Chrysophyta, Klasa Bacillariophyceae. In: Budowa geologiczna Polski. III. Atlas skamieniałości przewodnich i charakterystycznych. 3b. Kenozoik, Czwartorzed. Wydawnictwa Geologiczne. Warszawa. pp. 183-213. 14 PL.
• Kaczmarska, I. & S.R. Rushforth. 1984. The diatom flora of Blue Lake Warm Springs, Utah, USA. Bibliotheca Diatomologica 2(l): 1-49.
• Fugladda, N., I. Kaczmarska & S.R. Rushforth. 1984. A contribution to the freshwater diatom flora of the Hawaiian Islands. Bibliotheca Diatomologica 2(2): 1-55.

• Briski, E., S.A. Bailey, O. Casas-Monroy, C. DiBacco, I. Kaczmarska, C. Levings, M.L. MacGillivary, C.W. Mckindsey, L.E. Nasmith, M. Parenteau, G.E. Piercey, A. Rochon, S. Roy, N. Simard, M.C. Villac, A.M. Weise & H.J. MacIsaac. 2012. Relationship between propagule pressure and colonization pressure in invasion ecology: a test with ship’s ballast. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 279: 2990-2997.
• Davidovich, N.A., I. Kaczmarska, S.A. Karpov, O.I. Davidovich, M.L. MacGillivary & L. Mather. 2012. Mechanism of male gamete motility in araphid pennate diatoms from the genus Tabularia (Bacillariophyta). Protist 163: 480-494.
• Lang, I. & I. Kaczmarska. 2012. Morphological and molecular identity of diatoms retrieved from ship ballast tanks during trans-Pacific voyage 2. Nova Hedwigia, Beiheft 141: 515-534.
• Luddington, I.A., I. Kaczmarska & C. Lovejoy. 2012. Distance and character-based evaluation of the V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene for the identification of diatoms (Bacillariophyceae). PLoS ONE 7: e45664.
• MacGillivary, M.L. & I. Kaczmarska. 2011. Survey of the efficacy of a short fragment of the rbcL gene as a supplemental DNA barcode for diatoms. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2011.00585.x (PDF available on request)
• Lang, I. & I. Kaczmarska. 2011. A protocol for a single-cell PCR of diatoms from fixed samples: method validation using Ditylum brightwellii (T. West) Grunow. Diatom Research 26: 26: 43-49. (PDF available on request)
• Villac, M.C. & I. Kaczmarska. 2011. Estimating propagule pressure and viability of diatoms detected in ballast tank sediments of ships arriving at Canadian ports. Marine Ecology Progress Series 425: 47-61. (PDF available on request)
• Davidovich, N.A., I. Kaczmarska & J.M. Ehrman. 2010. Heterothallic and homothallic sexual reproduction in Tabularia fasciculata (Bacillariophyta). Fottea 10: 251-266. (PDF available on request)
• Klein, G., K. MacIntosh, I. Kaczmarska & J.M. Ehrman. 2010. Diatom surviorship in ballast waters during trans-Pacific crossing. Biological Invasions 12: 1031-1044.
• Moniz, M.B.J. & I. Kaczmarska 2010. Barcoding of diatoms: nuclear encoded ITS revisited. Protist 161: 7-34.
• Kaczmarska, I., J.M. Ehrman, M.B.J. Moniz & N. Davidovich. 2009. Phenotypic and genetic structure of interbreeding populations of the diatom Tabularia fasciculata (Bacillariophyta). Phycologia 48: 391–403.
• Kaczmarska, I., C. Lovejoy, M. Potvin & M.L. MacGillivary. 2009. Morphological and molecular characteristics of selected species of Minidiscus. European Journal of Phycology 44: 461-475.
• Moniz, M.B.J. & I. Kaczmarska. 2009. Barcoding diatoms: is there a good marker? Molecular Ecology Resources 9 (Suppl. 1): 65–74.
• Thaler M. & I. Kaczmarska. 2009. Gyrosigma orbitum (Bacillariophyta), a new species from a Bay of Fundy salt marsh. Botanica Marina 52: 60-68.
• Allaway, H., V. Lloyd & I. Kaczmarska. 2008. Whole mount in situ immunofluorescent hydridization of diatoms. Diatom Research 23: 1-9.
• Kaczmarska, I. & J.M. Ehrman. 2008. Poloniasira fryxelliana Kaczmarska and Ehrman, a new thalassiosiroid diatom (Bacillariophyta) from the Early Oligocene diatomites in Polish Flysch Carpathians, southeast Poland. Nova Hedwigia, Beihefte 133: 217-230.
• Kaczmarska, I., C. Reid, J.L. Martin & M.B.J. Moniz. 2008. Morphological, biological, and molecular characteristics of the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima from the Canadian Maritimes. Botany 86: 763-762.
• Kaczmarska, I., N.A. Davidivich & J.M. Ehrman. 2007. Sex cells and reproduction in the diatom Nitzschia longissima (Bacillariophyta): discovery of siliceous scales in gamete cell walls and novel elements of the perizonium. Phycologia 46: 726-737.
• Kaczmarska, I., J.L. Martin, J.M. Ehrman, & M.M. LeGresley. 2007. Pseudo-nitzschia species population dynamics in the Quoddy Region, Bay of Fundy. Harmful Algae 6: 861-874.
• Kaczmarska, I., C. Reid & M. Moniz. 2007. Diatom taxonomy: morphology, molecules and barcodes. Proceedings of the 1^st Central-European Diatom Meeting 2007. Kusber W.-H. & Jahn R. (eds), Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem, FU-Berlin. pp. 69-72
• Davidovich, N.A., I. Kaczmarska, & J.M. Ehrman. 2006. The sexual structure of a natural population of the diatom Nitzschia longissima (Bréb.) Ralfs. In: A. Witkowski (ed.), Proceedings of the 18th International Diatom Symposium, 2004, Miedzyzdroje, Poland, pp. 27-40, Biopress Ltd., Bristol.
• Kaczmarska, I., M. Beaton, A.C. Benoit & L.K. Medlin. 2006. Molecular phylogeny of selected members of the Order Thalassiosirales (Bacillariophyta) and evolution of the fultoportula. Journal of Phycology 42: 121-138.
• Trites, M., I. Kaczmarska, P.W. Hicklin, J.M. Ehrman & J. Ollerhead. 2005. Benthic diatoms from two mudflats in Chignecto Bay, Upper Bay of Fundy. Hydrobiologia 544: 299-319.
• Ehrman, J.M. & I. Kaczmarska. 2004. A virtual instrument metaphor for object identification: an example application using toxic diatoms. Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin 13: 1-4.
• Medlin, L.K. & I. Kaczmarska. 2004. Evolution of the diatoms: V. morphological and cytological support for the major clades and a taxonomic revision. Phycologia 43: 245-270.
• Ehrman, J.M. & I. Kaczmarska. 2002. A 90-degree-tilt rotary adapter for SEM. Microscopy Today 2-2: 24-26.
• Ehrman, J.M. & I. Kaczmarska. 2001. A simple transmitted electron detector for SEM. Microscopy Today 1-5: 12-14.
• Kaczmarska, I., J.M. Ehrman & S.S. Bates. 2001. A review of auxospore structure, ontogeny, and diatom phylogeny. In: Economou-Amilli, A. (ed.) Proceedings of the 16th International Diatom Symposium pp. 601: 153-168, University of Athens Press, Athens, Greece.
• Hiltz, M., S.S. Bates & I. Kaczmarska. 2000. Effect of light : dark cycles and cell apical length on the sexual reproduction of the pennate diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries (Bacillariophyceae) in culture. Phycologia 39: 59-66.
• Kaczmarska, I., T.A. Clair, J.M. Ehrman, S.L. MacDonald, D. Lean & K.E. Day. 2000. The effect of UV-B on phytoplankton populations in clear and brown temperate Canadian lakes. Limnology and Oceanography 45: 651-663.
• Kaczmarska, I. & L.L. Dowe. 1997. Reproductive biology of the red alga Polysiphonia lanosa (Ceramiales) in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. Marine Biology 128: 695-703.
• Kaczmarska, I. & G.A. Fryxell. 1996. Alveus, gen. nova (Bacillariaceae, Bacillariophyta), a heavily silicified diatom found in the Equatorial Pacific. Microscopy Research and Technique 33: 2-11.
• Kaczmarska, I. & G.A. Fryxell. 1995. Micro-phytoplankton of the Equatorial Pacific: 140°W meridianal transect during the 1992 El Niño. Deep-Sea Research 42: 535-558.
• Kaczmarska, I., N.E. Barbrick, J.M. Ehrman & G.P. Cant. 1993. Eucampia Index as an indicator of the Late Pleistocene oscillations of the winter sea-ice extent at the ODP Leg 119 Site 745B at the Kerguelen Plateau. Hydrobiologia 269/270: 103-112.
• Kaczmarska, I. & J.M. Ehrman. 1990. Pyritized diatoms in the sediments of the ODP Leg 116 to the distal end of the Bengal Fan. In: Cochran, J.R. and Stow, D.A.V. et al. 1990. Calif. Univ. Scripps Instit. Proceedings of the ODP, Scientific Results 116: 243-247.
• Cochran, J.R., D.A.V. Stow, C.A. Auroux, K. Amano, P.S. Balson, J. Bouleque, G.W. Brass, J. Corrigan, S. Gartner, S.A. Hall, S. Iaccarino, T. Ishizuka, I. Kaczmarska, H. Kassens, G. Leger, F. Proto Decima, V.C. Raman, N.N. Seger, K. Takahashi, T. Thompson, J.-J. Tiercelin, M. Townsend, A. Wetzel, N. P. Wijayananda & C. Williams. 1987. India-Asia collision studies in the Equatorial Indian Ocean. Nature 330(6148): 519-521.
• Gasse, F., J.C. Fontes, J.C. Plaziat, P. Carbonel, I. Kaczmarska, P. de Deckker, I. Soulie-Marsche, Y. Callot & P.A. Dupeuble. 1987. Biological remains, geochemistry and stable isotopes for the reconstruction of environment and hydrological changes in the Holocene Lakes from North Sahara. Paleogeography, Paleoclimatology, Paleoecology 60: 1-46.
• Kotlarczyk, J. & I. Kaczmarska. 1987.The two horizons with the Oligocene and Lower Miocene diatoms from the Polish Outer Carpathians. Ann. Sci. Geol. Poloniae 57(3-4): 143-189.
• Kaczmarska, I., G.A. Fryxell & T.P. Watkins. 1986. Effect of the Gulf Stream Warm Core Rings on distributional patterns of the genus Nitzschia. Deep-Sea Research 33(1-2): 1843-1868.
• Fontes, J.C., F. Gasse, Y. Callot, P. Carbonell, P.S. Dupeuble & I. Kaczmarska. 1985. Freshwater to marine-like environments from Holocene lakes in Northern Sahara. Nature 317(6038): 608-610.
• Kaczmarska, I. 1985. The diatom flora of Miocene lacustrine diatomites from the Harper Basin, Oregon, USA. Acta Paleobotanica 25(1-2): 33-100.
• Kaczmarska, I. & S.R. Rushforth. 1984. Diatom associations in Blue Lake Warm Springs, Tooele County, Utah, USA. VII International Symposium on Living and Fossil Diatoms Proceedings, Koeltz Sci. Books. pp. 345-358.
• Rushforth, S.R., I. Kaczmarska & J. Johansen. 1984. The subaerial diatom flora of Thurston Lava Tube, Hawaii. Bacillaria 7: 135-157.
• Kaczmarska, I. 1982. Diatoms of the Lower Oligocene diatomites from the Polish Carpathian Flysch. Acta Geol. Sci. Hungariae 24(1-2): 368-372.
• Kaczmarska, I. 1977. Comments on the flora of diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) from Eemian freshwater sediments at Imbramowice near Wroclaw. Acta Paleobotanica 18(2): 35-60.
• Kaczmarska, I. 1976. Diatom analysis of Eemian profile in freshwater deposits at Imbramowice near Wroclaw. Acta Paleobotanica 17(2): 3-33.
• Kaczmarska, I. 1973. Late-Glacial diatom flora at Knapowka near Wloszczowa (South Poland). Acta Paleobotanica 14(3): 179-193

Lecture and lab based courses:

• Biology 2301 - Plant Biology. This course offers an introduction to plant diversity. It includes all forms of organisms capable of oxygenic photosynthesis, both on land and at sea. It is taught in the context of the function of plants in the Earth's ecosystem.
• Biology 3021 - Paleontology. This course provides an overview of the major lineages of plant and animal life known on our planet in the context of the physical, chemical and biotic environment at the time of their evolution and diversification.
• Biology 3351 - Marine Botany. A course that summarizes recent advances in our understanding of plant growth at sea. It focuses on macroscopic plants, mainly from intertidal habitats. Students perform a small field and/or laboratory project presented to the class.

• Biology 4371 - Advanced Marine Science. The topics covered in this course depend on student interest. They may include all or some of the following: marine biology, marine geology, novel methods in ocean science, marine engineering, and biotechnology.
• Biology 4911X - Topics in Biology of Protists. The course is intended for senior undergraduate students interested in microeukaryotes. It allows students in-depth study of one of the 25+ divisions and phyla of protists or a study of one specific aspect of group biology (e.g., evolution of dinoflagellates, geography of invasive protists, etc.). Emphasis will be placed on protists of greatest importance in global ecology, medicine and other applications. Learning specialized methods used to investigate protists may also be included as part of the course. The course will employ a combination of lectures, seminars, discussions and/or independent research projects.
• Biology 4950 - Special Topics in Biology. Students seriously interested in marine botany or ecology conduct an independent study under my supervision. In may involve a small research project or a major literature review. Some examples of such topics are listed below.
• Osborne, N. 2003. The effect of salinity, temperature and water density on cell size reduction in the centric diatom Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii Cleve. Mount Allison University, Sackville, N.B., 58 pp.
• Thompson, Susan. 2000. Role of bacteria in the sexual reproduction of the domoic-acid-producing pennate diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries (Hasle) Hasle. Mount Allison University, Sackville, N.B., 49 pp.

• Biology 4990 – Honours in Biology. Students seriously interested in the biology of diatoms conduct a laboratory and/or field based research project resulting in an Honours Thesis and contributing to a publication. Some recent example theses are listed below.
• MacGillivary, M.L. 2008. Patterns of inheritance in the diatom Tabularia fasciculata (Agardh) Williams & Round. Mount Allison University, Sackville, N.B., 118 pp.
• MacIntosh, K. 2008. Survivorship of phytoplankton in ship's ballast water during a trans-Pacific crossing. Mount Allison University, Sackville, N.B., 77 pp.
• Allaway, H. 2007. Parent specific heritable characteristics, morphological and epigenetic, in the marine araphid pennate diatom Tabularia fasciculata (Agardh). Mount Allison University, Sackville, N.B., 117 pp. A publication in Diatom Research (Allaway et al.,in press [above]) resulted from this thesis project.
• Mills, K.E. 2005. Autogamic sexual behavior and fine structure of sex cells of selected marine centric diatoms. Mount Allison University, Sackville, N.B., 133 pp. A poster on portions of this work, presented at the 44th Northeast Algal Society (NEAS) Meeting, Rockport, ME, April 15-17, 2005 is available here (PDF)

• Biology 5100/5200 - Graduate Topics in Marine Science and Algal Biology. Course subject and scope are tailored to the individual graduate student program. Two examples are listed below.
• Biology 5101/2 - Biology of Diatoms. This course involves learning from current journal articles on topics such as diatom cell structures and their function, diatom life histories and concept of species in diatoms. Coursework includes discussions, writing essays and/or critical reviews of published work.
• Biology 5201/2 - Diatom Systematics and Taxonomy. This course employs a combination of lectures, seminars, discussions and/or independent research projects allowing students to develop understanding of curren advances in diatom systematics and to acquire basic skills in diatom taxonomy.
• Biology 5201/2 - Plankton Biology. The course material is based on current literature on topics such as oceanic phytoplankton biogeography, chemical antigrazing defenses in phytoplankton and novel technology in phytoplankton research. Students discuss topics with the instructor and/or give an oral presentation(s) to an undergraduate class and write up to three critical reviews or essays.

• Ian Luddington (pending). Species diversity and community phylogeny in the Arctic and mid-latitude thalassiosiroids.

My project, in conjunction with Dr. C. Lovejoy (Laval) and the Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe) deals with the diversity and community phylogeny of Arctic diatoms of the order Thalassiosirales. A number of studies deal with the species diversity of Arctic diatoms yet very few deal with their molecular ecology and genetic relatedness. Using single cell PCR, light microscopy and electron microscopy I will examine the species diversity of these communities and will generate DNA sequences which will be used for comparative phylogenies involving lower latitude thalassiosiroids. My project involves fieldwork aboard the CCGS Amundsen in the fall of 2011 where I will be traversing the Arctic from the Beaufort Sea to Davis Strait.


• Laura Mather (pending). The mating systems of the araphid pennate diatom Tabularia fasciculata.

The production of auxospores using sexual reproduction is a useful tool for combining both genetic recombination and cell size restoration in one step. Auxosporulation and the production of initial cells are crucial to the diatom population that undergoes successive rounds of asexual division, resulting in significant decreases of cell size over time. However, the mechanics behind sexual reproduction, as well as how it is induced, vary among diatoms species. Furthermore, some species of diatoms utilize more than one type of auxosporulation simultaneously. My project will focus on the mating systems of the cosmopolitan, epiphytic araphid pennate Tabularia fasciculata. By using light microscopy, DAPI staining/illumination and molecular analysis, my aim is to uncover the different modes of reproduction this organism undergoes.

• Quentin Heffell (pending). Reconnaissance of gametogenesis and sexual reproduction in the bipolar centric diatom order Cymatosirales.

It is known that many diatoms have varying environmental and physiological cues that promote sexual behavior. These triggers remain unknown in terms of many members of the Cymatosiraceae. My work focuses on exploring the specificities of gametogenesis in the bipolar centric diatom Plagiogrammopsos vanheurckii. I am investigating the different triggers for male and female sexualization to successfully promote simultaneous male and female gamete production within single clonal or intermixed cultures. I also intend to gain an understanding of the nuclear activity of differentiation in sexual cells and of vegetative growth in this species. An alternate tier of my research involves documenting the potential variants of gamete movement within P. vanheurckii, as initial results of my experiments have posed inconsistencies. My work focuses heavily on controlled mating, development of sexual induction protocol, microscopy techniques and DAPI fluorescent staining.

• Steven Sutcliffe (pending). Investigation of vegetative cell enlargement in several diatom species.

My research involves vegetative cell enlargement (VCE) in a number of diatom species, initially with centric marine diatom Ditylum brightwellii, and likely expanding to other centric species (Thalassiosira punctigera, Biddulphia tridens and pennate species (Tabularia fasciculata). VCE is as an asexual process that restores cells to the size similar to sexually produced initial cells while maintaining vitality, distinct from the other life cycle events: mitotic cell size reduction, and sexual size restoration. VCE is currently not well understood but could act as a biological life insurance (counteracting diatom “cell” diminution) for applicable diatom taxa.

• Crystal Hiltz

I assist with Dr. K's research to the extent of running mating trials, preparing for DAPI imaging, and compiling data on diatom morphometrics. Small, daily tasks usually include anything that would otherwise take away from the work of the researchers; contribution to the lab's general functioning, from dish washing (a lot of it!) to preparing all medium for cultures. I take care of housekeeping issues such as keeping the lab and growth rooms clean, filtering seawater, maintaining stock cultures, finding and filing academic papers, and recently, extraction and amplification of DNA for sequencing of new cultures.


• Mike Watkins.

During my time in the lab I help to reduce the workload of the researchers by keeping the lab clean, and doing any small tasks that would otherwise take time away from the diatoms. In the run of a day I will do anything from filtering seawater, making growth medium, transferring cultures, and finding academic papers and journals in the database. I have also become well acquainted with the dish-washing sink and the familiar smell of bleach.

• Mike MacGillivary; currently lab manager at Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, NS. Potentially invasive haplotypes of Paralia in ballast water: MacGillivary & Kaczmarska 2011, 2012a,b; MacGillivary & Ehrman 2011 (PDFs available on request).

• Mónica Moniz; currently a Ph.D. student at MRI, National University of Ireland (monica.j.moniz_AT_gmail.com). Barcoding diatoms: PDF of publication 1, PDF of publication 2.

• Mary Thaler; currently a Ph.D. student at Université Laval, Montreal, QC (mary.thaler.1_AT_Ulaval.ca). Salt marsh diatoms: PDF of publication.

• Dr. Imke Lang (Postdoc 2008-09). Changes in genetic structure of ballast water phytoplankton. An NSERC CAISN project (Lang & Kaczmarska 2001, Diatom Research 26).

My project included investigations of the change in genetic structure in the populations of diatoms during the transoceanic voyages in ballast waters of ships arriving at Canadian ports. The aim was to develop a protocol for the identification of invasive diatoms at the species and sub-species level based on a single cell or clonal chain of cell (Lang and Kaczmarska, accepted). I now apply this protocol to selected diatom taxa found in the tanks, including those known to be harmful and/or alien.


• Dr. Maria Celia Villac (Postdoc 2008-09). Composition and abundance of diatoms in the sediments of ship ballast tanks. An NSERC CAISN project (Villac & Kaczmarska 2011, MEPS 425).

When ships need to take in water from the environment to serve as ballast, organisms and suspended inorganic materials are also picked up. During the voyage, some of the living and of the non-living particulate matter tends to settle to the bottom of the tank(s). Organisms present in their resting stages (cysts, spores) whose structures are often heavier than their vegetative counterparts can further enhance the buildup of such species in the sediment. Some of these species are actually those that can have higher survival rates under adverse conditions. Evidence shows that, even when ballast water is exchanged, the sediment accumulated on the bottom of a ship tank is not completely renewed so that the biota in the sediments is, in fact, a composite of the natural communities of the many regions from where ballast was taken. Data about the assemblages of microalgae present in the sediment of ballast tanks is scanty, although this information is very much needed to ascertain propagule pressure and, as a result, estimate the probability of invasions. This is my challenge: to assess the composition and abundance of diatoms present in the sediments collected in empty ballast tanks of ships that came to Canadian ports during 2007 and 2008. PDF of Villac & Kaczmarska (2011) MEPS available on request.