BLaST Scientist of the Month for March

Anthony “Tony” Thompson was named the BLaST Scientist of the month for March 2021. 

Tony Thompson, a second-year BLaST Scholar and a UAF senior, graduates in May 2021 with a B.S. in biological sciences with a concentration in ecology and evolution. Originally from Macon, Georgia, they spent five years in Port Angeles, Washington, before arriving in Fairbanks. Thompson is a first-generation college student. After graduation, they plan to apply to graduate school and continue their studies. Thompson loves outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and biking, and enjoys reading for fun.

Thompson is currently mentored by Andrés López, Ph.D., a former BLaST faculty pilot project awardee.  López is an associate professor of fisheries and ocean sciences, and curator of fishes and marine invertebrates at the University of Alaska Museum. Thompson’s current research project involves the study of DNA (eDNA) and fish ecology, and they are working on developing an eDNA assay that can detect and quantify arctic lamprey, Lethenteron camtschaticum, in freshwater aquatic systems. Thompson’s research interests include a focus on wildlife disease and the potential impacts that climate change has on the spread of disease. Thompson and López  presented their research at the Alaska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society annual conference and at the One Health, One Future 2021 conference  in March 2021. Thompson gained many valuable lab skills in genetics and aquatic ecology working with López. 

Thompson’s previous field work includes an internship at the Coastal Watershed Institute (CWI) in Washington state, a non-profit group that fosters community and college student education. The group focuses on “wise natural resource management, linking senior scientists, managers, and citizens to motivate for the best, not just the easiest, management actions and solutions.” CWI offers opportunities in scientific studies relative to their region, a purpose that embodies One Health. “My two years at CWI have been invaluable to me as an educational and professional experience. It has ignited my passion for understanding nearshore wildlife biology,“ Thompson said.

Thompson attended both the 2018 and 2019 Sitka Whalefest and credits the necropsy workshop of a juvenile elephant seal as increasing a love for biology, because “having never assisted in a necropsy before, I was extremely intrigued and curious to learn more. We were shown useful tools and field methods for data collection when working with live specimens which is a vital skill for me to further develop as I continue my education in wildlife biology.” 

At BLaST, Thompson’s earlier research included working under Cristina Hansen, D.V.M., Ph.D., a previous BLaST postdoc, in the Department of Veterinary Medicine. Working on their project, titled, “PCR surveillance for Leptospira in red-backed vole kidneys in Fairbanks, Alaska” gave Thompson an opportunity to collaborate with other organizations at UAF.

“I jumped at this research opportunity after meeting with Dr. Hansen. I was able to apply for a loan request with the University of Alaska Museum for access to study kidney samples from their collection. I learned how the collection is organized, but more importantly, how to extract DNA from the samples in preparation for polymerase chain reaction and sequencing,” they said.

Thompson has also had the privilege of being mentored by BLaST Research Advisor and Mentoring Professional, Lori Gildehaus, whose support and advising has been pivotal in their professional and academic success.