Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

Adrienne R. Flowers

Doctoral Student, Marine Microbiology
Marine Estuarine Graduate Student Association

Department of Coastal Sciences
University of Southern Mississippi
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Tel. (228) 872-4220

Lab. (228) 818-8810

Fax. (228) 872-4204

Email: Adrienne.R.Flowers@usm.edu

Education

M.A. Degree- San Diego State University, 2003, Plant Systematics
B.A. Degree- University of California Berkeley, 1993, Plant Ecology

Professional Experience

’05-‘07 - Research Associate/Microbiologist, Gulf Coast Research Lab (GCRL)
‘05 - Field Supervisor, WESTAT, National Epidemiological and Environmental Assessment of Recreational Waters (NEEAR)
’03-‘05 - Taxonomist/Research Technician, GCRL, Benthic Ecology Section
‘01 - Curatorial Assistant, UC Botanic Garden, University of California Berkeley
‘00 - Plant Taxonomist/Assistant Curator, SDSU Herbarium, San Diego State University
’98-‘99 - Collections Manager, San Diego Natural History Museum, Collections Care and Conservation
’94-‘97 - Collections Manager/Education Curator, San Diego Natural History Museum, Education Department

Research Experience

September 2005 to present
Microbiologist/Research Associate in Marine Microbiology. Our lab conducts ecological research on Vibrio parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus, specifically looking at correlations between bacterial densities and environmental parameters such as water temperature, salinity, turbidity, chlorophyll levels, fecal coliform density, and plankton density. Objectives of our research include: (1) assess spatial and temporal relationships between remotely-sensed (RS) environmental parameters and the occurrence of Vibrio spp. in water, oysters and sediment in the Mississippi Sound; (2) compare RS and in situ measurements of environmental data; and (3) further develop the FDA’s risk prediction model using results of ecological studies, incorporating RS and in situ data.
November 2003 to August 2005
Taxonomist for macrobenthic ecoindicator study. This study was a component of the Consortium for Estuarine Ecoindicator Research for the Gulf of Mexico (CEER-GOM). Objective of this project was to develop, validate and apply macrobenthic ecoindicators of estuarine ecosystem function. I am self-trained in identification of polychaetes, aquatic insects, mollusks, crustaceans, and other taxa. Research conducted with Dr. Chet Rakocinski, USM Gulf Coast Research Lab.
January 1999 to December 2000
Botanist. Plant surveys in San Diego County including Point Loma Ecological Reserve; Cabrillo National Monument; Oakcrest Park, City of Encinitas; M.C.B Camp Pendleton; M.C.A.S. Miramar; and Palomar Mt. (Cleveland National Forest). The purpose of the project was to identify, evaluate, and map natural resources as part of a regional biological inventory. Responsibilities included locating and identifying plants, preparation of voucher specimens, and maintenance of data and collections. This project was conducted in conjunction with the Navy, the National Park Service, and the SDSU Herbarium.
May 1996 to May 2003
Phylogenetic analysis and morphological study of the subfamily Eriogonoideae (Polygonaceae) with an emphasis on the genus Chorizanthe (spineflower). Research for M.A. thesis with Dr. Michael Simpson at San Diego State University.
December 1997 to July 1999
Population ecology, reproductive biology, and morphology of the endangered plant Chorizanthe orcuttiana Parry (Orcutt’s spineflower). Studied historical distribution of Orcutt’s spineflower using maps, records, and aerial photos. Conducted field surveys to map extant populations and to characterize its habitat. Research conducted in conjunction with Dr. Ellen Bauder (S.D.S.U.), U.S. Navy, U.S.F.W.S., and C.D.F.G.
January 1995 to January 1997
Miramar Landfill Vernal Pool Study. Conducted vascular plant surveys and measured relative plant cover, elevational gradients, water duration, water depth, and soil nutrients in order to characterize artificial vernal pools that formed on the surface of a City of San Diego landfill. Biological and regulatory issues were addressed during the study. This research was supported by grant funding from the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department and conducted in conjunction with Dr. Paul Zedler (S.D.S.U.).

Publications and Reports

Russell, Adrienne D. 2003. Phylogenetic analysis and morphological study of the subfamily Eriogonoideae (Polygonaceae) with an emphasis on the genus Chorizanthe. MA thesis, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.
Simpson, M. G. and A. D. Russell, Eds. 2000. Vascular Plants of Cabrillo National Monument.
Russell, A. D. and P. Zedler. 1996. Miramar Landfill Vernal Pool Study, City of San Diego, Environmental Services Department.

Published Abstracts and Short Presentations

Russell, A., C. N. Johnson, J. Bowers, A. DePaola, D. J. Grimes. Correlations between densities of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, and plankton in the Mississippi Sound. Poster presentation, ASM General Meeting, Toronto, ON, Canada, May 21-25, 2007.
D. J. Grimes, A. Russell, C. N. Johnson. Distribution of culturable Vibrio parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in coastal habitats of the Mississippi Sound: bacterial reservoirs in sedimentary habitats. Poster presentation, ASM General Meeting, Toronto, ON, Canada, May 21-25, 2007.
C. N. Johnson, A. Russell, A. M. B. Phillips, J. Bowers, D. J. Grimes. Correlations between Vibrio spp. in the northern Gulf of Mexico and environmental parameters. Poster presentation, ASM General Meeting, Toronto, ON, Canada, May 21-25, 2007.
Russell, A., C. N. Johnson, and D. Jay Grimes. Bacterial reservoirs in sedimentary habitats, distribution of culturable Vibrio parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in coastal habitats of the Mississippi Sound. Presentation, Graduate Student Symposium, Gulf Coast Research Lab, Ocean Springs, MS, March 2007.
Johnson, C. N., Phillips, A. M. B., Russell, A., and Grimes, D. J. Environmental analyses of Vibrio spp. in the Mississippi Sound. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL, March 16, 2007.
Grimes, D. Jay, C. N. Johnson, and A. D. Russell. Tracking pathogens from space: risk assessments to predict seafood contamination. AAAS Symposium, Wave of the Future- Predicting Human Health Threats in Our Oceans, San Francisco, CA, February 2007.
Johnson, C. N., Phillips, A. M. B, Russell, A., and Grimes, D. J. The use of remote sensing and molecular detection to predict risk of infection by Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, September 1, 2006.
Phillips, A., DePaola, A., Bowers, J., Ladner, S., Krantz, J., Blackstone, G., Russell, A., Johnson, C., and Grimes, J. Use of remotely sensed parameters to predict levels of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Gulf Coast Water and underlying oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Ocean Sciences Meeting, Honolulu, HI, February 2006.
Russell, A. D. 2000. Phylogeny and morphology of Chorizanthe and related taxa (Polygonaceae: Eriogonoideae) American Journal of Botany Abstracts 87(6): 153. Annual Meeting of the Botanical Society of America, Portland, Oregon 6-10 August 2000.
Russell, A. D. 1999. Systematics of the Eriogonoideae with an emphasis on Chorizanthe. XVI International Botanical Congress, St. Louis, Missouri (1-7 August 1999) Abstracts: 428.
Russell, A. D. 1996. Preliminary cladistic analysis of Chorizanthe (subfamily Eriogonoideae, Polygonaceae) and close relatives. American Journal of Botany Abstracts 83(6): 188-189. (Annual Meeting of the American Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, 3-8 August, 1996)

Awards, Scholarships, and Grants

2000 - 21st Century Award for Achievement, International Biographical Center, Cambridge
1999 - Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club Scholarship for Botanical Research
1998 - Bay Foundation Scholarship, Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies
1997 - SDSU Hardman Award, Evolutionary Research with Native Plants
1997 - Evolutionary Biology Graduate Scholarship, San Diego State University
1995 - City of San Diego, Environmental Services Department Research Grant
1988 - National Daughters of the American Revolution, Good Citizen Medal
1988 - San Diego Trust and Savings Bank, Distinguished Achievement in Fine Art
1987 - Smith College Book Award for Academic Excellence
1987 - Porterfield Scholar