Dr. Nicole Powers
Prior to joining the Micro-omics lab in 2016, I completed my bachelor’s degree at Oklahoma State University, with a major in microbiology, cell, and molecular biology. My senior honor’s thesis focused on optimizing anaerobic fungal growth and novel spore collection conditions (thesis advisor: Dr. Noha Youssef). During my time as an undergraduate, I also worked as an education team member at Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine, Texas, where I realized my fascination with marine life. I was fortunate to combine my love for both the microscopic and marine world by joining the Micro-omics laboratory in 2016. I completed my Ph.D. in 2021 (dissertation title: Sources, Drivers, and Impacts of Fecal Pollution in Coastal Texas) under the guidance of Dr. Jeffrey Turner. After graduating, I served as Adjunct Professor of Microbiology (2021), and I am currently serving as a Research Scientist and Principal Investigator at TAMUCC’s Harte Research Institute. My primary research interest focuses on bridging the gap between human and environmental health, and my current projects involve determining the sources of fecal pollution and using that information to estimate human health risks in Coastal Texas.
Education:
Ph.D., Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 2021. Dissertation adviser: Jeffrey W. Turner. Dissertation title: Sources, Drivers, and Impacts of Fecal Pollution in Coastal Texas