Prarthana Dharampal (Ghosh)
Scientist II - Steffan Lab
She/Her
Research Interests:
My primary research interest involves the use of biomarker molecules to describe trophic tendencies and community structure across ecosystems and taxonomic groups. The main crux of my current research focuses on the use of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes to better understand cryptic trophic interactions involving microbial communities.
Education:
- Doctor of Philosophy: Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, May 2015
Dissertation title: Compound specific isotope analysis of amino acids in freshwater ecosystems: insights and applications - Master of Science: Environmental Science University of Calcutta, July 2007
Master’s thesis: Molecular and Temporal characterization of phytoplankton biodiversity in freshwater ponds in Calcutta using Advanced Single Cell RT-PCR. - Bachelor of Science: Zoology Honors (Minor: Botany, Chemistry), July 2005
Honors thesis: Assessing biodiversity and conservation efforts in Sunderbans: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Publications:
Dharampal, P.S., Findlay, R.H. 2017. Mercury levels in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from regulated and unregulated rivers. Chemosphere. 170, 134–140, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.11.162.
Takizawa, Y., Dharampal, P.S., Steffan, S.A., Takano, Y., Ohkouchi, N., Chikaraishi, Y. 2017. Intra-trophic isotopic discrimination of 15 N/ 14 N for amino acids in autotrophs: Implications for nitrogen dynamics in ecological studies. Ecol Evol. 7 (9), 2916–2924, doi: 10.1002/ece3.2866.
Steffan, S.A., Dharampal, P.S., Diaz-Garcia, L.A., Currie, C.R., Zalapa, J.E., Hittinger, C.T. 2017. Empirical, metagenomic, and computational techniques illuminate the mechanisms by which fungicides compromise bee health. JoVE. (128), e54631, doi: 10.3791/54631.
Steffan, S.A., Chikaraishi, Y., Dharampal, P.S., Pauli, J.N., Guédot, C., Ohkouchi, N. 2017. Unpacking brown food-webs: Animal trophic identity reflects rampant microbivory. Ecol Evol. 7 (10), 3532–3541, doi: 10.1002/ece3.2951..
Blanke, C., Chikaraishi, Y., Takizawa, Y., Steffan, S., Dharampal, P., Vander Zanden, M.J. 2017. Comparing compound-specific and bulk stable nitrogen isotope trophic discrimination factors across multiple freshwater fish species and diets. Can J Fish Aquat Sci. cjfas-2016-0420, doi: 10.1139/cjfas-2016-0420.
Pauli, J.N., Newsome, S.D., Cook, J.A., Harrod, C., Steffan, S.A., Baker, C.J.O., Ben-David, M., Bloom, D., Bowen, G.J., Cerling,T., Cicero, C., Cook, C., Dohm, M., Dharampal, P.S., Graves, G.R., Gropp, R., Hobson, K.A., Jordan, C., MacFadden, B.J., Pilaar Birch, S., Poelen, J., Ratnasingham, S., Russell, L., Stricker, C.A., Uhen, M.D., Yarnes, C.T., Hayden, B. 2017. Why we need a centralized repository for isotopic data. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 114 (12), 2997–3001, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1701742114.
Dharampal, P.S, Carlson, C.M., Currie, C.R., Steffan, S.A. In Review. Investigations of fungicide exposure and pollen type on bee health: Insights from in vitro-reared solitary bees.
Dharampal, P.S, Diaz-Garcia, L.A., Hasse M. A. B., Zalapa, J.E., Currie, C.R., Hittinger, C.T., Steffan, S.A. In Review. The microbiome associated with the pollen provisions of bumble bees.
Dharampal, P.S, Carlson, C.M., Currie, C.R., Steffan, S.A. In Review. To bee, or not to bee: Larval bees require pollen -borne microbes to survive.
Steffan, S.A., Dharampal, P.S, Danforth, B. N., Gaines-Day H. R., Takizawa, Y., Chikaraishi, Y. In Review. Omnivory in bees: Elevated trophic positions among all major bee families.