Education

BS Marine Science, 2004, Southampton College of Long Island University

• Magna cum laude
• Cooperative Education Student of the Year 2003-2004
• Cooperative Education Senior Recognition Award 2004

MS Biology, 2006, American University

• Thesis title: Using Parasite Lineages to Track the Migratory Patterns of the Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
• Teaching Assistantship, Fall 2004 - May 2006
• Graduate Student Representative on Tenure Committee, Spring 2006
• Smithsonian Graduate Student Fellowship Summer 2005

Research Interests

I have always been intrigued with the marine world because it is a world that is separate from our own everyday surroundings. Broadly speaking, I am interested in the use of genetic tools to understand more about the ecology and evolution of marine species and host/parasite interactions.

For my PhD project, I am using molecular tools to increase our understanding of Hematodinium, a parasitic dinoflagellate that infects blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). I am attempting to develop and use a microsatellite library for Hematodinium in blue crabs to examine both the population structure and strain variation in Hematodinium throughout the range of the blue crab.  Additionally, I am comparing sequences from Hematodinium-infected blue crabs as well as other Hematodinium-infected crustaceans within the blue crab's range to determine if the same species of Hematodinium is capable of infecting multiple hosts.

Professional experience

Laboratory Technician, Entomology Department, Natural Museum of Natural History/Laboratory of Analytical Biology, June 2006- August 2007

Grants

Katrina Pagenkopp, "Using Parasite Lineages to Track the Migratory Patterns of the Common Yellowthroat", Graduate Student Mellon Research Grant ($470), American University.

Publications

KM Pagenkopp, J Klicka, KL Durrant, JC Garvin, and RC Fleischer. 2008. Geographic variation in malarial parasite lineages in the Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). Conservation Genetics. 9(6): 1577-1588.

KM Pagenkopp.  2006. Using Parasite Lineages to Track the Migratory Patterns of the Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas).  MSc Thesis, American University, Washington, DC.

Advisors

Dr. Kim Reece and Dr. Jeff Shields