Research Staff

Katherine conducts research in the areas of conservation biology, community conservation, and efficacy of STEM education initiatives. She is an alumnus of Nova Southeastern University (M.S.) and Florida Institute of Technology (B.S) holding a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Marine Biology. Her undergraduate and master's research experience focused on how climate change impacted coral assemblages in the Galapagos Island leading her to find the oldest coral reef in the pacific ocean. Her doctoral research also featured threatened populations but this time she focused on local terrestrial populations of gopher tortoises. Her studies aim to understand how climate change will impact this unique population so that she can use that information to model new conservation methods.

Tucker conducts research in the areas of geomatics, geographic information systems (GIS), and spatial data science. He is an alumnus of FAU, where he completed a master's degree (M.S.) in Civil Engineering and a bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Geomatics Engineering. His graduate research supported the development of watershed-based flood protection plans across Florida and resulted in a GIS-based flood risk model capable of generating accurate probabilistic inundation maps quickly while still detecting localized nuisance-destructive flood potential. Additionally, Tucker gained industry experience at an engineering consulting firm, where he collaborated with dynamic project teams to deliver geospatial data creation, editing, management, analysis, and map production as well as support for UAS/Drone and GPS field data collection efforts. He utilized GIS software and Python/R programming to prepare deliverables for various engineering projects related to transportation, water resources, environmental remediation, and energy and communications infrastructure.

Jasmine has worked in environmental restoration with a focus on plants for many years. She received her M.S. from FAU’s Environmental science department where she explored the benefits of experiential learning in outdoor spaces. The Tortuga Nature trail on the Boca campus is also a product of her time as an FAU student and her commitment to natural refuges in urban areas. She funded, opened, and operated the FAU Pine Jog native orchid restoration program in Palm Beach county and discovered her passion for Florida’s native orchids. She shares her passion for plants and environmental science with her research students at FAU High School, and continues to play an active role in the research and restoration of native Florida.

Dr. Krill developed and implemented a course-based, research-intensive neurophysiology laboratory that trains students in electrophysiology techniques using invertebrates. The laboratory also serves as a research facility for students to conduct independent research projects under the mentorship of Dr. Krill with the goal of generating publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Dr. Krill, in collaboration with the Center for eLearning, developed and piloted FAU’s first fully online introductory biology course that used a zero-cost Open Educational Resource eText authored by Dr. Krill.

Dr. Krill’s own research investigates the mechanisms to protect the brain during high-temperature stress. The common fruit fly is a poikilotherm, meaning that its internal temperature is the same as the environment around them. The fruit fly deals with extreme temperature conditions by going into a protective coma using a biological pathway called the PKG pathway.  While humans have the same pathway, we continue our brain function during extreme temperature stress and, as a result, can incur brain damage. By determining the mechanism by which the pathway protects the brains of fruit flies, we can try and develop a pharmaceutical intervention to prevent brain damage due to acute stress in humans.

Dr. Amy Tift is the instructor for the 9th grade Exploring Research and Intro to Psychology courses at FAU High School. She is also affiliate faculty in the College of Education, in the department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology. Dr. Tift attended The Ohio State University where she worked in two cognitive developmental psychology labs while completing her bachelor's degree. Dr. Tift then attended FAU to complete her Master's and Ph.D. in developmental psychology. Her research focused on infant multisensory perceptual development and how visual attention moderates the development of speech and language. At FAU High School, Dr. Tift has conducted research on note-taking modalities and their impact on student preparedness and organization strategies. Dr. Tift coordinates the Summer Bridge Program for incoming students and has conducted program evaluation research on the Bridge Program. In addition, Dr. Tift is the advisor for the FAU High School chapter of the National Honor Society and HOSA (Future Health Professionals). Outside of school, Dr. Tift is a mom to one little girl and two yorkies. She enjoys watercolor painting, travel, cooking, and scuba diving.

Jamie Knaub is the Research Assistant for the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) High School Owls Imaging Lab. Jamie is responsible for (1) maintaining imaging equipment and software, (2) instructing students and collaborators on how to use the equipment, and (3) ensuring the lab is in compliance with health and safety standards. Jamie received her bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and conducted research on cetacean (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) parasites. After graduating, Jamie gained field experience working for marine mammal stranding programs in North Carolina, Alaska, and Florida before starting graduate school at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Jamie is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Integrative Biology Program at FAU with a master's degree (M.S.) in Biology. Her doctoral dissertation research focuses on examining marine animal skeletons. Jamie uses the micro-CT scanner in the Owls Imaging Lab to investigate 3D microstructure in vertebrae from fast-swimming sharks and a variety of cetacean species.