A Col-LAB-orative Experience - Welcome to Ecology BGC

The Ecology and Biogeochemistry Core Lab, located on the garden level of the UW Biodiversity Institute, is buzzing with opportunity and equipment for students across campus and beyond.  Jessica Kern, introduced in our last post, has been a key facilitator in the growth and development of the Ecology BGC lab in the last year.  She has aided in bringing new, EPSCoR funded equipment to the table in addition to expanding the lab's outreach.  To get a better feel for what lies between the lab's four walls, let's take a tour.

Specialized Equipment

While there are hundreds of thousands of dollars implemented into the Ecology BGC Lab's most used equipment, a few pieces of technology stand out.  These three machines are pertinent to the lab's functionality and are widely used by students and staff.  Let's dive a little deeper into what they are and what they do.

Thermo Scientific Dionex Dual Integrion RFIC Ion Chromatography (IC)

• Analyzes water, snow, and soil extracts
• Allows for simultaneous analysis of anions and cations from a single injection
• Detects levels in the ppb range for multiple matrices

Teledyne Tekmar Fusion Measuring Total Organic Carbon by UV Persulfate

• Analyzes Environmental Waters
• Detection levels 0.2 ppb to 4000 ppm
• Wide range of official methods
• TOC, DOC, TC-IC, TC, IC

Thermo Scientific Flashsmart Elemental Analyzer CHNS/O with MVC Valve

• Analyzes plant, soil, and water samples
• Carbon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Sulfur determination by combustion analysis
• Oxygen determination by pyrolysis 
• MVC valve allows for simultaneous operation of both furnaces for CHNS/O
• Detection levels vary on the matrices

Equipment Checkout

Aside from the large, specialized equipment in the lab,there are smaller, more portable equipment tools in the Ecology BGC lab that is shared among multiple users for temporary use.  Typically, students or researchers can check out equipment for two months or less.  Anyone looking to check out equipment must follow set labeling, scheduling, and clean up requirements.  Jessica Kern is in charge of this process and will aid in getting students and community driven researchers what they need for their project.  A list of available equipment can be found on the lab's website.

Field Kit 

For students and researchers interested in checking out equipment, the field kits available in the lab may be on their list of necessities.  These kits allow for ease of sample collection and evaluation in the field or during outreach activities.  The field kits can be checked out for various time intervals, depending on the project and include meters such as the YSI (water analysis), Hydrosense II (soil analysis), and the Oakton 5 in 1 (soil and water analysis).  A full itemized list and description of the pre-packed field kits can be found on the lab's website.

The Ecology BGC Lab has so much to offer students, community members, and local schools.  With highly specialized equipment and the opportunity to check some out for a project of your own, there's almost nothing this lab can't handle in regard to soil, water, and air.  Nonetheless, Ecology BGC col-LAB-orates with others in the Biodiversity Institute.  Teamwork makes the dream work, and a the entire group can be found online.  

If you, or a scientist you know are looking to conduct a project of your own, the BGC lab may be a great place to start.  For contact information, check them out at http://www.uwyo.edu/ecologybgc/contact1.html 

The Woman Behind the Lab Coat

Jessica Kern.  The woman, the myth, the legend.  She is the wearer of many hats, but currently presides as a sitting member of the committee for the EPSCoR Microbial Ecology Collaborative and as the manager of UW's Ecology BGC lab.  Since entering these positions nearly a year ago, Jessica has made it her mission to expand lab use, designate funding to new, state-of-the-art lab equipment, and promote hands on learning across the many science-based disciplines at the university.  Her impact has been extraordinary, but how did she get here?

Jessica originally received her undergraduate degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences before earning her M.A. in Zoology and Physiology from the University of Wyoming.  Entering the workforce, her first position was with the USDA Airborne Animal Disease Research Laboratory where she resided for nine years.  Following the USDA, Jessica found new excitement in working with amino acids and virus research as a lab technician.  Unfortunately, the company decided to move out of state to Kansas and Jessica's love for Wyoming was strong.  To remain in state, she took a position with the animal science department here on campus.  Jessica elaborates on her position with them saying, "I ran the growth and metabolism lab for the animal science department and we did a lot of research on cattle and sheep nutrition.  I'm still in touch with a lot of the undergrads that I worked with and the grad students."

With a clear passion for working with students, Jessica also wanted to explore the campus research side of science in more depth.  She did so by taking a position with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.  She demonstrates excitement for the job saying, "That's where I really started doing more of the analytical chemistry.  I did some in the nutrition and metabolism lab, but I did a lot more there.  We worked with environmental samples there, too, so that was pretty cool."

Besides her resume being quite diverse, there are major areas of knowledge and passion that Jessica elaborated on during our time together.  She wants to be an advocate for human health and safety as well as animal safety.  Jessica really enjoys teaching and training people how to do things properly and safely.  She explains,

"I've learned so much over the years that if I can help somebody do it faster and more efficiently, I like to do that.  I'm very hands on running everyone's samples that they've collected.  I've run samples for everyone that's been a part of our project so far."

Jessica Kern is a wearer of many hats, but it's clear she has one solid passion for teaching and working with others.  This is especially true when it comes to the Ecology BGC lab and all who are involved in the research being completed there.  Her reach doesn't stop at the end of the science trail.  She is hopeful that more university students will begin visiting the lab that's located in the Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center.  For more information on what Jessica does or if you're interested on stopping in and saying hi, please feel free to reach out via the contact information below.

Ecology and Biogeochemistry

UW Biodiversity Institute

Berry Center 115

1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie WY 82071

Jessica Kern, Lab Manager

Email: jessj@uwyo.edu