Contact

  • Academic
    apollock@stanford.edu
    University - Student Department: Biology Position: Undergraduate
    University - Student Department: French and Italian Position: Undergraduate
    University - Student Department: Comparative Medicine Position: Graduate

Additional Info

All Publications

  • Albino Xenopus laevis tadpoles prefer dark environments compared to wild type. microPublication biology Adebogun, G. T., Bachmann, A. E., Callan, A. A., Khan, U., Lewis, A. R., Pollock, A. C., Alfonso, S. A., Arango Sumano, D., Bhatt, D. A., Cullen, A. B., Hajian, C. M., Huang, W., Jaeger, E. L., Li, E., Maske, A. K., Offenberg, E. G., Ta, V., Whiting, W. W., McKinney, J. E., Butler, J., O'Connell, L. A. 2023; 2023

    Abstract

    Tadpoles display preferences for different environments but the sensory modalities that govern these choices are not well understood. Here, we examined light preferences and associated sensory mechanisms of albino and wild-type Xenopus laevis tadpoles. We found that albino tadpoles spent more time in darker environments compared to the wild type, although they showed no differences in overall activity. This preference persisted when the tadpoles had their optic nerve severed or pineal glands removed, suggesting these sensory systems alone are not necessary for phototaxis. These experiments were conducted by an undergraduate laboratory course, highlighting how X. laevis tadpole behavior assays in a classroom setting can reveal new insights into animal behavior.

    View details for DOI 10.17912/micropub.biology.000750

    View details for PubMedID 36824381

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9941856

  • Argentine ant extract induces an osm-9 dependent chemotaxis response in C. elegans. microPublication biology Alfonso, S. A., Arango Sumano, D., Bhatt, D. A., Cullen, A. B., Hajian, C. M., Huang, W., Jaeger, E. L., Li, E., Maske, A. K., Offenberg, E. G., Ta, V., Whiting, W. W., Adebogun, G. T., Bachmann, A. E., Callan, A. A., Khan, U., Lewis, A. R., Pollock, A. C., Ramirez, D., Bradon, N., Fiocca, K., Cote, L. E., Sallee, M. D., McKinney, J., O'Connell, L. A. 2023; 2023

    Abstract

    Many ant species are equipped with chemical defenses, although how these compounds impact nervous system function is unclear. Here, we examined the utility of Caenorhabditis elegans chemotaxis assays for investigating how ant chemical defense compounds are detected by heterospecific nervous systems. We found that C. elegans respond to extracts from the invasive Argentine Ant ( Linepithema humile ) and the osm-9 ion channel is required for this response. Divergent strains varied in their response to L. humile extracts, suggesting genetic variation underlying chemotactic responses. These experiments were conducted by an undergraduate laboratory course, highlighting how C. elegans chemotaxis assays in a classroom setting can provide genuine research experiences and reveal new insights into interspecies interactions.

    View details for DOI 10.17912/micropub.biology.000745

    View details for PubMedID 37008729

https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7599-4196