Jessica R. Zehnpfennig is an Ocean DNA Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Benthic ecology Laboratory at the Smithsonian Marine Station.
Her research aims to utilize the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) to carry out Ocean DNA objectives using sequence-based approaches to identify and fill biodiversity knowledge gaps to help enhance research, monitoring and restoration. This research aims to develop and utilize environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques to conduct research on spatial and temporal changes in invertebrate biodiversity, enhance monitoring efforts and improve benthic condition assessments through eDNA sampling, help to assess the current state of the IRL benthic infaunal biodiversity knowledge, and create a genetic coverage gap analysis from the existing portfolio of species inventories and records. Jessica will also be managing the molecular lab during her time at the SMS.
Education
· Ph.D. Earth and Ecosystem Sciences – Central Michigan University
· M.S. Biology – Central Michigan University
· B.S. Biology- Central Michigan University
Research Interests
Marine Benthic invertebrates, Environmental DNA , Molecular Ecology and Biodiversity, Ecological Monitoring.
