December 05, 2023

Hi, welcome to my website. Due to various reasons, the Zooplankton Visual Project website is now being hosted on Wordpress here. These months learning HTML/CSS have given me the skills necessary to build a more suitable environment for my goals through Wordpress. While much of this website has been removed from viewing, I plan to continue utilizing this space to document my PhD journey.

Thank you,
Auden Block

Auden Block

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Auden Block

Integrative, Comparative, and Marine Biology PhD Student

The way in which aquatic organisms can perceive their environment despite vast differences in light spectra is fascinating to me. Combined with my love for vision and technology, I am beginning my career on marine visual systems with zooplankton. As an integrative and comparative biologist PhD Student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), I seek to utilize technology and basic biology to understand the susceptibility of early zooplankton vision to human-induced stressors.

Research Experience

I pursued a double major in Biology and Environmental Science at Bucknell University (2018 - 2023). Simultaneously, I conducted independent research in the laboratory of Dr. Jim Pearson on the visual neural circuit of Manduca sexta, the hawkmoth. Beginning in the summer of 2021, I worked one-on-one with Dr. Pearson on identifying key neuronal circuits. Through the course of several projects, I grew as a researcher to persist against obstacles by building the tools needed to answer my research question.

I developed both my ability to conduct independent research and my microscopy skills during that first summer of research. I attempted to elucidate the visual circuit within the adult brain of the hawkmoth using a range of histological stains. With cryostat and paraffin sectioning, I then utilized light microscopy to examine the morphology of the Manduca visual circuit. Over that summer, I found that typical sectioning methods resulted in cracked and torn specimens; however, I did not give up. Instead, I opted to continue my research over the next year with an alternative method, namely, using behavior in response to visual stimuli to understand the neural network of Manduca.

Auden Block

My prototype vibratome.

To explore Manduca visual circuits via electrophysiological testing, I developed a method to project visual stimuli directly onto the retina. I taught myself computer programming and electrical engineering skills to code a low-cost computer processor (Raspberry Pi) to produce visual stimuli left. During a test, the computer generated and displayed a series of random images at a reproducible frequency. I then modified a microscope for the visual testing arena, which allowed light to be focused on the moth’s retina. This accomplishment has set the stage for a future researcher to use this electrophysiology rig to determine how specific neurons respond to visual stimuli. My initial failure in sectioning allowed me to grow as a researcher and develop problem-solving skills by identifying an alternative opportunity for success with electrophysiology. I am particularly grateful that this experience led me to realize the passion I have for integrating technology to make the tools necessary for my research questions.

Inspired by my work on visual stimuli, I built a prototype vibratome to address the sectioning issues I initially experienced (left). The high-frequency, oscillating blade of a vibratome slices through both soft and hard tissue without distorting the tissue. A commercial vibratome costs thousands of dollars, which our lab was not able to afford. I took on the challenge of building an open-source vibratome to move the research project forward. In addition to integrating technology with biology, this project revealed to me how I can use my skills and drive to make science accessible to a wider audience. After investigating commercial vibratomes and their components, I identified potential components to isolate movement along separate axes. I developed two iterative designs for a custom vibratome by utilizing my self-taught background in robotics and electrical engineering. In addition to programming an Arduino Nano as a microcontroller, I produced multiple 3D printed parts and circuitry diagrams for the vibratome. Over the period of one year, I designed a functional prototype in which a specimen could be moved within two planes of motion to the blade with high precision. The only challenge that remained when I graduated was to improve the blade stability, and I am still in communication with my previous lab to help solve that problem while I pursue my PhD. As a strong believer in open-source research, I also made the plans for this instrument available (which costs about $500 to build) to the public on AUTODESK Instructables, an online community for engineers and builders alike to share their projects. The work I put into developing an open-source vibratome manual will allow future researchers to continue where I left off and make this technology accessible by significantly decreasing the cost associated with tissue sectioning for light microscopy.

Passions

I love the outdoors, both on land and in the water. When I am not spending time in the lab or researching on my computer, my passions are climbing, biking, surfing, and most importantly: my cat.

My cat!

Publications

  1. Block, A. and Pearson, J., A DIY Vibratome: An Unfinished Undergraduate Project, 2023, Instructables

    As discussed in depth above, I worked under Professor James Pearson doing research in the visual system of the tobacco moth. During our research, we realized that a vibratome was a necessary tool in order to slice the brain tissue of our target organism. However, due to the high cost of purchasing one, we opted to attempt to make our own vibratome during my final year at Bucknell.

  2. Block, A., Chandler, J., Fitch, B., Dickinson, H., & Earley, W. (2023). Turtle Creek Park. Bucknell Digital Commons

    I worked with East Buffalo Township to restore a recently acquired plot of land into a public park through a community-based research class in my final semester. As a group of five students, we worked to support community members to become leaders for sustainable development. The project culminated in a presentation to Bucknell community members, and the project is still going today.

Contact

arb4107 {@} uncw {dot} edu