Jess Boulton
Research Associate IIJess comes to GMGI from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a background in marine microbiology. Her research interests include the genetic diversity and functional potential of marine microbes, as well as the roles that microbes play in large-scale biogeochemical processes in the ocean. She earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As an undergraduate, she investigated changes in coral protein abundance in response to changing pCO2 levels. After graduation she was employed as a research technician and lab manager at UNC-CH, where she isolated environmental bacteria from lakes and estuaries. She then earned her M.S. in Marine Science from UNC-Chapel Hill. Her thesis project focused on identifying transcriptional markers of specific carbon substrate consumption in continuous Roseobacter cultures, in order to better understand how heterotrophic bacteria affect marine carbon cycling. Jess also enjoys kayaking, hiking, and baking.
Phone
978-879-4575 ext. 116
Research Interests
Jess’s research interests include the roles that marine microbes play in large-scale ocean biogeochemical cycles, as well as the genetic diversity and functional potential of marine microbes. Microbes exist in every drop of seawater, and their presence is necessary for the rest of the ocean to thrive. Microbes are responsible for cycling nutrients through the ocean, produce a large percentage of the world’s atmospheric oxygen, and determine the health of ocean ecosystems. Microbes also have unique genetic capabilities – they can consume, metabolize, and transform myriads of different chemicals, and can live in environments hostile to other forms of life. Jess’s thesis project centered around using transcriptomics to understand how bacteria cycle organic matter – a process that influences the rate of carbon sequestration in the ocean. At GMGI, Jess will be using genomic and transcriptomic data from the Annisquam River to see changes in the sediment microbial community over time. She will also be isolating and culturing marine protists to produce polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for aquaculture biofeeds.
Education
2017- BS Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2021- MS Marine Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Prior Positions
2020-2021 Teaching Assistant, UNC-CH Department of Marine Sciences, Chapel Hill NC
2018-2020 Research Assistant, UNC-CH Department of Marine Sciences, Chapel Hill NC
2017-2018 Research Technician/ Lab Manager, UNC-CH Department of Marine Sciences, Chapel Hill NC
Research Profile Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-boulton-bb4124219/
Research Projects
Publications
Aichelman, H.E., Bove, C.B., Castillo, K.D., Boulton, J.M., Knowlton, A.C., Nieves, O.C., Ries, J.B. and Davies, S.W. (2021), Exposure duration modulates the response of Caribbean corals to global change stressors. Limnol Oceanogr. https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.11863