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I am currently a Ph.D. candidate in biological sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where I am pursuing a degree under the guidance of Dr. John Janovy Jr.

My doctoral research project involves studying the parasite community structure in Nebraska minnows, and the role of habitat variability in the determination of the parasites’ ability to distribute themselves in nature. Due to variation in host specificity and complexity of life cycles among parasites, it is necessary to study a number of different parasites at locations which vary biotically and abiotically, in order to understand the ways in which habitat affect the ability of parasites to distribute themselves in nature. This study focuses on three communities of parasites (Ph. Platyhelminthes) and their minnow hosts (Pimephales promelas, Notropis stramineus, and Semotilus atromaculatus) in three converging streams in the Salt Valley watershed of Lancaster County, Nebraska.

I am among those who think that science has great beauty. A scientist in his laboratory is not only a technician:
he is also a child placed before natural phenomena which impress him like a fairy tale. Marie Curie

Alaine Knipes : PhD Candidate : School of Biological Sciences : University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE 68588
Phone: (402) 472-2754 email