My personal research interests lie in understanding how organisms respond to pathogens and their environment at a genetic level. I am currently developing a new research project to study the alteration of gene expression in species of members of the Brassicaceae that lead to pseudoflower production upon infection by the fungal rust pathogen, Puccinia monoica. However, as the Associate Director of the Center for the Conservation of Biological Resources, I oversee a variety of rather diverse research projects. Including two projects that are centered around understanding the affect of atmospheric particulate matter on human health: 1) we are seeking to understand the fungal compositon of the near-tropospheric bioparticulate matter by assessing the biodiversity of airborne allergenic and human disease-causing fungi present in outdoor air, especially in rural mining, agricultural and forested regions; and 2) we are developing aquatic and terrestrial bioindicators for atmospherically derived mercury in order to better understand the role of atmospherically derived mercury on regional ecosystems. These bioindicators will aid in the detections of biologically active levels of mercury contamination in the soil and water of sensitive ecosystems. Other projects in which I am involved explore the biodiversity of microbial populations in understudied environments.
Education
Postdoctoral in Molecular Genetics, Black Hills State University
Anderson, C.M., G.M. Spellman, C.S. Ferrell, K. Strickler and S.K. Sarver. 2007. Conservation genetics of the American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus): the genetic status of a population in severe decline. (In Press, Conservation Genetics)
Anderson, C.M. and Sarver, S.K. 2007. Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the endangered Topeka shiner, Notropis topeka. (In Press, Molecular Ecology Notes; Published on-line 8-16-07)
Anderson, C.M.,Berger, T.L., Cain, F. and Sarver, S.K. 2006. Detection of Bison/Cattle Hybridization in Custer State Park Breeding Bulls Using Microsatellite and Mitochondrial DNA Markers: Tools for Conservation Management. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science 85:117-125
Anderson, C. M., Cahoy, J., Cain, F., and Sarver, S. K. 2005. Identification of a previously undetected PRNP promoter polymorphism associated with resistance to BSE in American bison from Custer State Park, South Dakota. Animal Genetics (in review)
Anderson, C. M., Cahoy, J., Cain, F., and Sarver, S. K. 2005. Identification of a previously undetected PRNP promoter polymorphism associated with resistance to BSE in American bison from Custer State Park, South Dakota. SD Academy of Sciences, Apr. 8 & 9, 2005, University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, SD
Cain, F., Anderson, C.M. and Sarver, S.K. 2005. A Survey of Prion Gene (PRNP) Sequences of Wild Animal Species in the Black Hills. SD Academy of Sciences, Apr. 8 & 9, 2005, University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, SD
Mettler, R.D., Ferrell, C.S., Anderson, C.M., and Sarver, S.K. 2005. Conservation Genetics of the American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. SD Academy of Sciences, Apr. 8 & 9, 2005, University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, SD
Anderson, C. and S. Sarver. 2004. Analysis of microsatellite variation within and among populations of the Topeka Shiner, Notropis topeka. American Fisheries Society Meeting, Pierre, SD
Anderson, C. and S. Sarver. 2004. Analysis of microsatellite variation within and among populations of the Topeka Shiner, Notropis topeka. SD Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, Chamberlain, SD
Sarver, S. and C. Anderson. 2004. Genetic Analysis of a Monosex Population of Walleye, Stizostedion vitreum. American Fisheries Society Meeting, Pierre, SD
Stephens, N.T., P. Colbert, B.E. Smith and C. Anderson. 2004. Identifying microsatellite markers in the genome of the endemic Antiguan ground lizard, Ameiva griswoldi. SD Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, Chamberlain, SD
Livingston, A., C. Anderson, and S. Sarver. Aug. 2003. American Bison PrP Gene. BRIN Student Research Poster Session, W.H. Over Museum, Vermillion, SD
Kosted, P.J., S.A. Gerhardt, C.M. Anderson, A. Stierle, and J.E. Sherwood. 2000. Structural Requirements for Activity of the Pheromones of Ustilago hordei. Fungal Genetics and Biology 29:107-117
Anderson, C.M. 1999. Genetic analysis of the MAT-1 pheromone gene of Ustilago hordei and the study of morphogenesis during the mating response. Doctoral dissertation. Montana State University. 101pp
Anderson, C.M., D.A. Willits, P.J. Kosted, E.J. Ford, A.D. Martinez-Espinoza, and J.E. Sherwood. 1999. Molecular analysis of the pheromone and pheromone receptor genes of Ustilago hordei. Gene 240:89-97
Sherwood, J.E., P.J. Kosted, and C.M. Anderson. 1998. Production of a mating inhibitor by Ustilago hordei. Phytopathology 88(5):456-464
Synergistic Activities 2004- present: Associate Director for the Center for the Conservation of Biological Resources and the Western South Dakota DNA Core Facility. Duties include supervision of research associates
2001- present: BHSU Campus Project Administrator for National Institutes of Health-Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN) / Idea Network for Biomedical Research (INBRE) collaborative grant between the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and BHSU. Duties include the oversight of the undergraduate research fellowship program, supervision and training of several undergraduate research fellows, assisting in budget expenditure oversight, and reporting program progress to USDSM.
2001- Aug. 2004: Organized and conducted workshops in molecular genetics techniques for Native American undergraduate students at Oglala Lakota College, Rapid City Campus, Rapid City, SD
2001-present: Science Education Consultant-Rapid City Home School Assn., Rapid City, SD
2001-2003: Assisted in the teaching of summer molecular genetics techniques workshops for western South Dakota secondary school teachers, Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD
Grants
Co-PI. EPA Collaborative Agreement, Congressional Earmark. 2004-2007. $610,000. Establishment of the Center for the Conservation of Biological Resources.
Principle Investigator. US Department of Agriculture CSREES #2004-35205-14235. $24,490.00. 2004. Acquisition of a Real-Time PCR Conversion System to Enhance Genetic Research Capabilities at the Western South Dakota DNA Core Facility.
Co-PI. NSF-Major Research Instrumentation #0320651. 2003. $182,380.00. Acquisition of Instrumentation for an Ecological Genomics Laboratory to Support Research and Training.
Principle Investigator. South Dakota Wildlife Diversity Small Grant. 2003-2004. $5000.00. Development of DNA Fingerprinting Markers for the American Dipper.
