Joanne Rampersad-Ammons

JOANNE RAMPERSAD-AMMONS

Professor, SEEMS

(956) 665-2097
joanne.rampersadammons@utrgv.edu

Department: SEEMS
Office: ESCNE 3.118
Location: Edinburg

UTRGV Faculty Profile

Curriculum Vitae

 

 

Areas of Interest

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biochemistry, Molecular Diagnostics
  • Aquaculture, Apiculture, Sustainable Agriculture
  • Microbiology, Bacillus thuringiensis
  • Assessment of undergraduate research experiences

Higher-Education

  • PhD, Microbiology, 2006
  • MS, Biochemical Sciences, 1988
  • BS, Biochemistry and Zoology, 1986

Research Overview

 

Selected Grants and FellowShips

  • Engil Pereira ,Chu-Lin Cheng ,James Kang ,Thang Pham ,Wendi Williams ,Thanh Vu ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,Alejandro Fierro Cabo ,Wan-Lin Chang ,Debasish Bandyopadhyay ,Veerachandra Yemmireddy ,Robin Choudhury. Pathways to NRCS and Academic Careers to Civil Engineering and Agriculture Students (PANACEAS), USDA-NIFA-EWD-REEU, $750,000.00, December 2021 - December 2027
  • Noe Vargas Hernandez ,Joanne Rampersad. Freshwater Prawn Production: Solving the National Problem of Prawn Postlarvae (Seed) Availability through Engineering and Automation, USDA NIFA AFRI, $263,585.00, July 2021 - August 2024
  • Joanne Rampersad ,Hudson DeYoe ,Noe Vargas. Facilitating Sustainable and Profitable Oyster Culture: Promoting Equity of Opportunities for Texas’ Lower Laguna Madre., Texas Sea Grant, $444,034.00, April 2021 - January 2024
  • Mark Chu ,Dongchul Kim ,John Abraham ,Marziehossadat Ayati ,Zhixiang Chen ,Nikolaos Dimakis ,Andrew Ernest ,Andres Figueroa ,Bin Fu ,Jungseok Ho ,Kye-Hwan Lee ,Samir Iqbal ,Evangelia Kotsikorou ,Sanjeev Kumar ,Michael Minor ,Hiram Moya ,Abdoul Oubeidillah ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,Ji Woo Ryou ,Robert Schweller ,Jae Son ,Emmett Tomai ,Timothy Wylie ,Jasang Yoon ,Hongkai Yu ,Jingru Zhang ,Parwinder Grewal ,Soumya Mohanty. MRI: Acquisition of a GPU-Accelerated Cluster, High Performance Rio Grande Valley Cluster (HiRGV), National Science Foundation, $699,077.00, January 2020 - September 2023
  • Mark Chu ,Parwinder Grewal ,Dongchul Kim ,Soumya Mohanty ,Nikolaos Dimakis ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. MRI: Acquisition of a GPU-Accelerated Cluster, High Performance Rio Grande Valley Cluster (HiRGV), NSF, $699,077.00, January 2019 - August 2023
  • Dongchul Kim ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. Applying Computer Vision Technologies To Honey Bee Health And Surveillance: Building Capacity in Agricultural Engineering at a HSI, USDA, $330,930.00, June 2018 - August 2022
  • John Trant ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,Robert Dearth ,Matthew Terry ,Hassan Ahmad ,Ralph Carlson ,Liang Zeng ,Robert Wrinkle ,David Ammons ,Frederick Ernst ,Amy Weimer ,Emmett Tomai ,Artem Chebotko ,Christine Reilly ,Steven Tidrow ,Jessica Lavariega-Monforti ,Sharon Schembri ,Dora Saavedra ,Thomas Pearson ,James Aldridge. UTPA/UTRGV HHMI Leaders in Research Program, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, $1,200,000.00, August 2012 - August 2017
  • Dora Saavedra ,Shawn Saladin ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,Kristine Wirts. Faculty Collegiality and a Healthy Workplace: A Baseline Study of Campus Climates (2014), Faculty Research Council, July 2014 - December 2015
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. Geosciences Ideas Lab, National Science Foundation, $1,500.00, January 2014 - March 2014
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,Jeffery Bailey. Parasporins against Cancer cells, UTPA Undergraduate Research Initiative, $2,000.00, September 2012 - August 2013
  • Hassan Ahmad ,Kristine Lowe ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. HHMI grant renewal Student Research and Broadening access to Science, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, $1,200,000.00, February 2008 - August 2012
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,John Short ,David Ammons. Addressing healthcare disparities through the development of affordable anticancer therapeutics’, NIH via the South Texas Border Health Disparities Center, $14,804.00, December 2010 - December 2011
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. Genomic sequencing and analysis of two novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolates with potential agricultural applications’, UTPA Faculty Research Council, $4,644.00, December 2010 - December 2011
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,George Eyambe ,David Ammons ,Xiaohui Wang. An investigation of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the Middle RGV, NIH EARDA program, $21,600.00, December 2007 - December 2010
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,Luz Avelizapas-Roja ,Antonio Ventura-Suarez. CONACyT-Extramural support (Government of Mexico), Fellowship grant for Antonio Ventura Suarez to visit my lab as part of his doctoral thesis work, $19,200.00, December 2007 - December 2009
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. Identification of Proteins Comprising a Novel Crystal/Filament Structure in the Bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, UTPA Faculty Research Council, $4,102.00, December 2007 - August 2009
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. Characterization of the Surface chemistry of selected Bt strains, National Institutes of Standards and Technology, NIST Summer Undergraduate Internship Program, $7,815.00, April 2008 - August 2008
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. GCAT Microarray Workshop, National Science Foundation, $660.00, October 2007 - November 2007
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. Characterization of Bt isolates with encapsulated crystal proteins: their ultrastructure and genetic characterization, UTPA Faculty Research Council, $2,898.00, September 2006 - October 2007

Selected Presentations

  • Suzzette Zenteno ,Luis Alvarez ,Jerry Covarrubias ,Jazmin Zenteno ,Raquel Elizondo ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,David Ammons ,Jacob Bensen ,Noe Vargas Hernandez. "Automated Honeybee Swarm Trap", Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society Conference, Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society , South Padre Island, 2024, February
  • Raquel Elizondo ,Jazmin Zenteno ,Brien Sifuentes ,Thomas Courtney ,Luis Gerardo Zamora ,Adrian Vargas ,Arturo Fuentes ,Noe Vargas Hernandez ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons , . "Mesquite Bean Harvesting", Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society Conference, Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society, South Padre Island, 2024, February
  • Alyssa Alvarado ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Concentrating microalgae using a freshwater overlays", UT LSAMP Conference, UT El Paso, El Paso, Texas, 2023, August
  • Sylvia Robles ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,Noe Vargas Hernandez. "High Impact Sustainable (HIS) Transdisciplinary Model for Food Security", 67th ICSB International Council Small Business World Congress, ICSB- International Council Small Business , Jinju & Gwangju, South Korea, 2023, July
  • Alyssa Alvarado ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Development of a low-cost method for concentrating microalgae using a freshwater overlay", UTRGV College of Sciences Research Symposium, UTRGV, Brownsville, Texas, 2023, April
  • Alan Urteaga ,Joshua Banda ,Allan Vazquez ,Cesar Villanueva ,Lawrence Cano ,Noe Vargas Hernandez ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Shallow-water Oyster Farms with PVC post and line systems", 115th Annual Meeting of the National Shellfisheries Association, National Shellfisheries Association, Baltimore, Maryland, 2023, March
  • David Bazan ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Potential Pitfalls of Texas COM (Cultivated Oyster Mariculture) Legislation to the future Lower Laguna Madre Oyster Farmers", 115th Annual Meeting of the National Shellfisheries Association, National Shellfisheries Association, Baltimore, Maryland, 2023, March
  • Sylvia Robles ,Noe Vargas ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Food Security at the Intersection of Entrepreneurship, Engineering, and Agriculture", OPEN 2023 VentureWell Conference-Ignite Session and Poster Presentation, VentureWell, Alexandria, VA, 2023, March
  • Noe Vargas ,Sylvia Robles ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Food Security: at the Intersection of Entrepreneurship, Engineering, and Agriculture", 2023 6th STEM Education Annual Conference, The Office of Engaged Scholarship & Learning , South Padre Island, TX, 2023, February
  • Alyssa Alvarado ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "How to Prepare Black Soldier Fly as an Alternative Feed for Oysters", 77th Annual Meeting of the Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society, Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society, South Padre Island, 2023, February
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Strategies to support online asynchronous student engagement for better student outcomes,", 5th Annual Stem-Ed Conference, UTRGV, South Padre Island, 2022, February
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Oysters and Marine Science", 4th Texas Hispanic Farmer and Rancher Conference, UTRGV, Online, 2022, January
  • Roberto Cabello ,Farhia Ahmad ,Clarissa Garcia ,Jack Summers ,Kamalaksha Sarkar ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Mechanized Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) setting using the Sea Cradle", Aquaculture America 2021 , World Aquaculture Society, San Antonio, Texas, 2021, August
  • Arnold Amador ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,Amy Weimer ,James Aldridge ,Thomas Pearson ,Sarah Stegall-Rodriguez. "Moral Development Amongst Latinx College Students in Borderlands Region", Southwestern Psychological Association, Southwestern Psychological Association, Albuqurque New Mexico, 2019, April
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "The unique Lower Laguna Madre oyster Crassostrea virginica and its potential for offshore culture", World Aquaculture Society, World Aquaculture Society, New Orleans, 2019, March
  • Daniela De La Cruz ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Bacterial Assassins: An Approach to Combating Bacterial Diseases in Shrimp,", American Society for Microbiology, Corpus Christi, Texas, 2018, November
  • Daniela De la Cruz ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Bacterial Assassins- The Future in Combating Bacterial Diseases in Shrimp ", LSAMP Summer Research Academy Student Presentations, UTRGV LSAMP Program, Edinburg, Texas, 2018, July
  • Sonal Jha ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Viability of the API ammonium testing kit for measuring ammonium concentrations", UTRGV College of Science Annual Research Conference, UTRGV, Edinburg, Texas, 2018, April
  • Daniel Gonzalez ,David Ammons ,Kai Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Dermo Presence in Lower Laguna Madre Oysters and Clams", Texas Academy of Science , Texas Academy of Science , Midland, Texas, 2018, March
  • Gilberto Vento ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Identifying Potential Bacillus thuringiensis Candidates to Control Aethina tumida", Texas Academy of Science , Texas Academy of Science , Midland, Texas, 2018, March
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Aquaponics", Grow Local South Texas 3rd Conference, Grow Local South Texas, Corpus Christi, Texas, 2018, January
  • Daniel Gonzalez ,David Ammons ,Kai Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Dermo Presence in Lower Laguna Madre Oysters and Clams", School of Medicine Inaugural Research Symposium, UTRGV, 2017, August
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "UTPA/UTRGV Leaders in Science Synthesis", HHMI Synthesis Meeting, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, 2017, April
  • Daniel Gonzalez ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Dermo Presence in Lower Laguna Madre Oysters", Undergraduate Research Conference Engaged Scholar Symposium ES2, UTRGV, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2017, April
  • Gilberto Vento ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Development of a Deterrent Response Assay to Test the Effect of Neonicotinoids", Undergraduate Research Conference Engaged Scholar Symposium ES2, UTRGV, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2017, April
  • Dora Saavedra ,Jessica Lavariega Monforti ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Building Young Hispanic Leaders in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). ", International Research Conference, National Association of Hispanic and Latino Studies, Oct 24-26, 2016 , International Research Conference, National Association of Hispanic and Latino Studies, South Padre Island, Texas, 2016, October
  • Arnoldo Amador Amador ,Francisco Sierra ,Deanna Pollard ,Yuridia Munoz ,Luis Perez ,Linda Torres ,Krystal Garza ,Amy Weimer ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Parental Predictors of Latinxs College Students’ Acculturation", International Research Conference, National Association of Hispanic and Latino Studies, Oct 24-26, 2016 , International Research Conference, National Association of Hispanic and Latino Studies, South Padre Island, Texas. , 2016, October
  • Chelsey Faris ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Increasing honey production and using an Eco-safe toxin in recycled wax to prevent beehive destruction", HHMI/UTRGV Science Education Grant Program. July 29, 2016 , HHMI/UTRGV, Edinburg Texas, USA, 2016, July
  • Jose Garces ,Angel Roman ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons , . "Cloning and expression of Parasporins in Bacillus thuringiensis", Undergraduate Research Conference , UTRGV, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2016, April
  • Jose Garces ,Angel Roman ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Cloning and expression of Parasporins in Bacillus thuringiensis ", WCBSUR 2016, at Point Loma Nazarene University, , Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego USA, 2016, April
  • Jacqueline Moctezuma ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Development of an Assay to Determine Bacterial Retention on Leaf Surfaces", HHMI/UTPA Science Education Grant Program. July 31, 2015 , HHMI/UTPA, Edinburg Texas, USA, 2015, July
  • Sharon Schembri ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Applying Marketing Research to Investigate Undergraduate Science Student Needs", HHMI Constellation Studio A Meeting June 8-10, 2015,, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland., 2015, June
  • James Aldridge ,Mark Winkel ,Thomas Pearson ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,Amy Weimer ,Sarah Stegall ,Arnold Amador. "Ethical Principles of Science Students", International Organization of Social Sciences and Behavioral Research meeting, October 13-14, 2014,, International Organization of Social Sciences and Behavioral Research meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada., 2014, October
  • Jordy Tello ,Jeffery Bailey ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons , . "Searching for Parasporins in samples from Lebanon", HHMI/UTPA Science Education Grant Program. August 1, 2014 , HHMI/UTPA, Edinburg Texas, USA, 2014, August
  • Courtney Galle ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,Liang Zeng ,Amy Weimer ,Dan Plas Plas ,Ralph Carlson ,Tim Sears ,Jessica Lavariega Monforti ,Christina Villalobos ,Moyra Ruiz. "Determining the Impact of Mobile Laboratory Visits on Student Learning.", Mobile Laboratory Coalition Meeting June 24-27 2014, , Mobile Laboratory Coalition , Modesto, California, 2014, June
  • Angel Roman ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons , . "Initial characterization of a novel Bacillus thuringiensis.", PACE Biomedical Ethics Conference March 26-29 2014, , UTPA/PACE, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2014, March
  • Monica Montiel ,Sarah Stegall ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "It can wait: Unemployed and employed students' procrastination and motivated strategies for learning", PACE Biomedical Ethics Conference March 26-29 2014, , UTPA/PACE, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2014, March
  • Christopher Gonzalez ,Emmett Tomai ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Student Research Organizer", PACE Biomedical Ethics Conference March 26-29 2014, , UTPA/PACE, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2014, March
  • Bailey Jeffrey ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Isolation and Cytotoxicity Assay Testing of Novel PS5 Genes In Bacillus thuringinesis ", Undergraduate Research Conference November 26 2013, , UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2013, November
  • Monica Garcia ,Tzasnan Olmedo ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "A novel structure in Bacillus thuringiensis Strain 2-56", HHMI/UTPA Science Education Grant Program 2013 High School Summer Program. August 2, 2013 , HHMI/UTPA, Edinburg Texas, USA , 2013, August
  • Guadalupe Medina Jr. ,Moyra Ruiz ,Hassan Ahmad ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "10,000 Miles of Biotechnology Education", Mobile Laboratory Coalition Meeting, St. Cloud State Universtiy, St. Cloud, Minnesota, 2013, June
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Use of Technology to Facilitate Undergraduate Research in the Teaching Laboratory: Building a Student-Mentor Research Community’", Sam Houston State University, 2012, November
  • Ralph Carlson Carlson ,Amy Weimer ,Edna Alfaro ,Liang Zeng ,Jessica Raley ,Emmett Tomai ,David Rios ,Artem Chebotko ,Christine Reilly ,Robert Winkle ,Nicholas Weimer ,Thomas Pearson ,Francis Andoh-Baidoo ,Frederick Ernst ,Robert Dearth ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Development of a computer-assisted student-mentor research community dubbed ‘SRO’ to address “Persistence of all students”", HHMI Program Directors and Professors meeting October 8-11, 2012, Chevy Chase, Maryland, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, 2012, October
  • Alexandra Seas ,Hafsah Shamim ,Jeffery Bailey ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Bacillus thuringiensis: Finding genes associated with interesting phenotypes of a novel Bt strain ", HESTEC Science Symposium, September 24-29 2012, , UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2012, September
  • Amy Weimer ,Ralph Carlson ,Emmett Tomai ,David Rios ,Artem Chebotko ,Christine Reilly ,Nicholas Weimer ,Thomas Pearson ,Robert Wrinkle ,Francis Andoh-Baidoo ,Frederick Ernst ,Robert Dearth ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Improving STEM education in research: Preliminary report on the development of a computer-assisted student-mentor research community", PUI Research Conference, July 26-28, 2012, , NSF and Cal State Fullerton, California State University, Fullerton, California, USA, 2012, July
  • Joanne Rampersad ,Michael Lehker ,Kristin Gosselink . "Innovative Teaching Strategies", A PRIME TIME: Innovative Strategies for Medical Education Conference , A PRIME Consortium, South Padre Island, Texas , 2012, July
  • Joanne Rampersad. "Developing a Student Mentor Research Community", Genome Solver Workshop, J. Craig Venter Institute and Georgetown University, Gaithersberg, Maryland , 2012, June
  • Amy Weimer Weimer ,Thomas Pearson ,Nick Weimer ,Ralph Carlson ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Developing Ethical Research Communities", PACE Biomedical Ethics Conference March 21-23, 2012, , UTPA PACE, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2012, March
  • Anna Gonzales ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Comparison of Two Spectroscopic methods to Differentiate Strains of Bacillus thuringiensis", Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, November 9-12 2011 , American Society for Microbiology, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, 2011, November
  • Ashish Mamachen ,Adarsh Mamachen ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Characterization and Analysis of SCCmec elements found in the genus Staphylococcus", HESTEC Science Symposium, September 26- Oct 1 2011, , UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2011, October
  • Martha Salazar ,Joel Manrrique ,David Ammons ,Jose Granados ,John Short ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Cloning and expression of Parasporin 6", HESTEC Science Symposium, September 26- Oct 1 2011, , UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA., 2011, September
  • Auriole Tamegnon ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Development in an Assay to screen for Antibacterial activity of Bacillus thuringiensis", HESTEC Science Symposium, September 26- Oct 1 2011, , UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2011, September
  • Desiree Shelton ,Maria Reyna ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Preliminary Data Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance in Staphylococci from Hospital samples.", HESTEC Science Symposium, September 26- Oct 1 2011, , UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA., 2011, September
  • Jeffery Bailey ,Martha Salazar ,David Ammons ,Jose Granados ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,John Short. "Identification of Parasporin proteins that increase Mammalian Cell Membrane Permeability", University of Texas Health Science Center Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2011, , University of Texas Health Science Center, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2011, August
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,David Ammons ,Ralph Carlson . "Assessing Undergraduate Laboratory Research Education via A Virtual Research Community-based Platform: A preliminary look at student views on Remuneration", American Society for Microbiology Conference for Undergraduate Educators, July 2-5 2011, , American Society for Microbiology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 2011, July
  • Gabriela Hinojosa ,Martha Salazar ,Jeffery Bailey ,Lourdes Tavarez ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "A new twist to an old toxin", UTPA Chemistry Symposium 2011, , UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2011, April
  • Joel Manrrique ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "A Stab in the Dark: A selective screening for Bacillus thuringiensis present in the biofilm of the Rio Grande Valley's Irrigation Network", UTPA Chemistry Symposium 2011, , UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2011, April
  • Ashley Gonzalez ,Anna Gonzales ,Benjamin Mendez ,Benjamin Guzman ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons , , . "A Survey of Bacteria found in irrigation systems in the Rio Grande Valley", UTPA Chemistry Symposium 2011,, UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA., 2011, April
  • Anna Gonzales ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Bt fingerprinting using the EDAX", UTPA Chemistry Symposium 2011, , UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2011, April
  • Irwin Mendoza ,Veronica Leal ,Alonzo Gonzalez ,Joel Manrrique ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons , . "Man's New Best Friend....BT? A look into the BT Found in the RGV's Irrigation System", UTPA Chemistry Symposium 2011, , UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2011, April
  • Trevino Diana ,Ammons David ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Characterization and Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Staphylococci in the Lower Rio Grande Valley", PACE Biomedical Ethics Conference March 23-25 2011, , UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2011, March
  • Adarsh Mamachen ,Ashish Mamachen ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Environmental Prevalence Of mecA Gene in genus Staphylococcus in the Rio Grande Valley", PACE Biomedical Ethics Conference March 23-25 2011, , Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2011, March
  • Gabriela Hinojosa ,Martha Salazar ,Jeffery Bailey ,Lourdes Tavarez ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Screening Bacillus thuringiensis Libraries for Anticancer Activity", PACE Biomedical Ethics Conference March 23-25 2011, , UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2011, March
  • Anna Gonzales ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons , . "The Identification of strains of Bacillus thuringenisis using the EDAX", PACE Biomedical Ethics Conference March 23-25 2011,, UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2011, March
  • Diana Trevino ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Initial Characterization and Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Staphylococci in the Middle Rio Grande Valley", HESTEC Science Symposium, UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2010, September
  • Adarsh Mamachen ,Ashish Mamachen ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Prevalence Of MecA Gene in genus Staphylococcus in the Rio Grande Valley", HESTEC Science Symposium, UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2010, September
  • Anna Gonzales ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Raman Spectroscopic Fingerprints for Bacillus thuringiensis Crystals", HESTEC Science Symposium, UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2010, September
  • Martha Salazar ,Jefferiy Bailey ,Sherley Edinbarough ,Gabriela Hinojosa ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Improving protein isolation efficiency in Bacillus thuringiensis without loosing parasporal activity", HESTEC Science Symposium, September 27-Oct2 2010, Edinburg, Texas, USA., 2010, September
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Integrating research into clinical practice at Student Health Services-how both may benefit", Student Health Services Annual Retreat, UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2010, August
  • Diana Trevino ,Raghuveer Puttagunta ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Initial Characterization and Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Staphylococci in the Middle Rio Grande ", University of Texas Galveston Medical Branch Student poster presentations, University of Texas Galveston, Galveston, Texas, 2010, August
  • Raghuveer Puttagunta ,Diana Trevino ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Community and Environmental Profile of Staphylococci in the Middle Rio Grande Valley", Biomedical Ethics , UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2010, April
  • Raghuveer Puttagunta ,Jose Granados ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Development of a High Throughput Micro Array-Compatible Method to Identify Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in the Environment", Biomedical Ethics Conference , Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2010, April
  • Eric Gonzalez ,Chris Granados ,David Ammons ,John Short ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "In Vitro Proteolysis Coupled With A High-Throughput Assay to Identify Novel Bacillus thuringiensis Crystal Proteins That Are Cytotoxic Against Liver Cancer Cells", PACE Biomedical Ethics Conference April 13-16 2010, , Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2010, April
  • Nita Thomas ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Antibiotic Resistance in 7 MRSA isolates found in the Middle Rio Grande Valley", HESTEC Science Symposium, UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2010, April
  • Raghuveer Puttagunta ,Jose Granados ,Georgina De La Garza ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "An Investigation of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strains from UTPA students in the Middle Rio Grande Valley", HESTEC Science Symposium, UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2009, September
  • Raghuveer Puttagunta ,Jose Granados ,Kristopher Koch ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Development of a High Throughput Array-Compatible Staining Method to Screen for Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) in the Environment", HESTEC Science Symposium, UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2009, September
  • Jose Granados ,Raghuveer Puttagunta ,Georgina De La Garza ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Characterization of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strains from UTPA students in the Middle Rio Grande Valley", American College Health Association, 2009 Annual Meeting, San Fransisco, California, , 2009, May
  • Pooja Koolwal ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Development of a RT-PCR, Double NAAT Test for Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in Urine. ", American Chemical Society, Southwest Regional meeting,, ACS, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. , 2008, October
  • Chris Granados ,Antono Reyna ,Tom Eubanks ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Transposon Tagged Mutagenesis as a tool for gene discovery in novel Bt strains", HESTEC Science Symposium, UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2008, September
  • Antonio Ventura ,Ramon Cruz ,Edgar Lopez ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,Luz Rojas Avelizapa. "Morphological characterization of the bacterial isolate Bt1-88, a preumptively novel strain of Bacillus thuringiensis.", 9th Inter-American Congress of Electron Microscopy, Cusco, Perú, 2007, September
  • Andrea Ochoa ,Oliver Nuique ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Screening for Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. ", HESTEC Science Symposium,, UTPA, Edinburg, Texas, USA, 2007, September
  • Antonio Ventura ,Ramon Cruz ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,Edgar Oliver López ,Luz Rojas Avelizapa. "Caracterización y estudio ultramicroscópico de la cepa Bt1-88", IV Congreso Internacional de Ingeniería Bioquímica y XV Congreso Nacional de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Morelia, Mich. México. , 2006, April
  • Antonio Ventura ,Ramon Cruz ,David Ammons ,Joanne Rampersad-Ammons ,Luz Rojas Avelizapa. "Caracterización de la cepa Bt1-88 de Bacillus thuringiensis", 35 Congreso Nacional de Microbiología., Oaxtepec, Morelos. México. , 2006, April
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Utility of Molecular Diagnostics in Field Applications for Developing Countries", Caribbean Veterinary Association Meeting, University of the West Indies, Mt. Hope, Trinidad, West Indies, 2004, November
  • Joanne Rampersad-Ammons. "Use of Molecular Diagnostic Techniques in disease diagnosis and genomic characterization", Workshop on Tropical Medicine, The University of the West Indies School of Veterinary Medicine, Mt. Hope, Trinidad, West Indies, 2004, January

Publications

 

  • David Ammons and Joanne Rampersad-Ammons."A strategy for encouraging the honey bee (Apis mellifera) to build new comb from harvested beeswax", In Preparation; Not Yet Submitted, Journal of Apicultural Research
  • David Ammons and Joanne Rampersad-Ammons."Using black solider fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) to clean unwanted beeswax from equipment", Accepted, Journal of Apiculture Research
  • David Ammons and Daniel Gonzalez and Ming-Tsan Lu and Joanne Rampersad-Ammons."Assessment of Dermo (Perkinsus marinus) in the “southern oyster” from a high salinity environment", 2023, June, Published, North American Journal of Aquaculture
  • Sylvia Robles and Joanne Rampersad-Ammons and Noe Vargas Hernandez."High Impact Sustainable Transdisciplinary Collaboration Model for Food Justice"No, Accepted, 2201 G St. NW Funger Hall Suite 315 Washington, DC, 200052 USA, Journal of the International Council for Small Business, https://icsb.org/jicsb/
  • Dora Saavedra and Jennifer Lemanski and Kristine Wirts and Shawn Saladin and Joanne Rampersad-Ammons."Perceptions of Collegial and Uncollegial Behaviors after a University Consolidation: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of How Faculty Viewed Members of their New Academic Units", 2023, February, Published, 1, 38, 14-32, The Journal of Higher Education Management
  • Sharon Schembri and Joanne Rampersad-Ammons."Science Identity and Hispanic students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics", 2021, July (3rd Quarter/Summer), Published, 5, 27, 1-24, Journal of Women and Minorities Science and Engineering
  • Jessica Lavariega Monforti and Dora Saavedra and Sarah Stegall and Daniela Kuri and Joanne Rampersad-Ammons."Differentiating Leadership from Management: A Model for Intervention with Hispanic High school and Undergraduate STEM Students", In Preparation; Not Yet Submitted
  • David Ammons and John Short and Jeffery Bailey and Gabriela Hinojosa and Lourdes Tavarez and Martha Salazar and Joanne Rampersad."Anti-cancer Parasporin Toxins are Associated with Different Environments: Discovery of Two Novel Parasporin 5-like Genes", 2016, February, Published, 2, 72, 184-189, Current Microbiology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00284-015-0934-3
  • David Ammons and Graham Toal and Angel Roman and Luz Rojas-Avelizapa and Antonio Ventura-Suárez and Joanne Rampersad."Cry-like genes, in an uncommon gene configuration, produce a crystal that localizes within the exosporium when expressed in an acrystalliferous strain of Bacillus thuringiensis", 2016, January (1st Quarter/Winter), Published, fnw010, FEMS Microbiology Letters, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnw010
  • David Ammons and Joanne Rampersad."The Use of Polystyrene Beads to Prepare Arrayed Samples of Bacillus thuringiensis for Microscopic Examination", 2015, September, Published, 3, 71, 412-414, Current Microbiology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00284-015-0870-2
  • D. Ammons and Reyna Antonio and J. Granados and A. Ventura-Suarez and L. Rojas-Avelizapa and J. Short and Joanne Rampersad."A Novel Bacillus thuringiensis Cry-Like Protein from a Rare Filamentous Strain Promotes Crystal Localization within the Exosporium", 2013, September, Published, 18, 79, 5774-5776, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/aem.01206-13
  • David Ammons and Joel Manrrique and Joanne Rampersad."An apparatus to control and automate the formation of continuous density gradients", 2012, August, Published, 2, 427, 124-126, Analytical Biochemistry, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ab.2012.05.012
  • David Rios and Artem Chebotko and Christine Reilly and Ralph Carlson and Emmett Tomai and Amy Weimer and Nicholas Weimer and Thomas Pearson and Francis Andoh Baidoo and Robert Wrinkle and David Ammons and Joanne Rampersad."Improving STEM Education in Research: Preliminary Report on the Development of a Computer-Assisted Student-Mentor Research Community", 2012, March, Published, 05, 03, 612-618, Creative Education, http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ce.2012.35090
  • Eric Gonzalez and Jose Granados and John Short and David Ammons and Joanne Rampersad."Parasporins from a Caribbean Island: Evidence for a Globally Dispersed Bacillus thuringiensis Strain", 2011, May, Published, 5, 62, 1643-1648, Current Microbiology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00284-011-9905-5
  • Antonio Ventura-Suárez and Ramón Cruz-Camarillo and Joanne Rampersad and David Ammons and Edgar López-Villegas and Jorge Ibarra and Luz Rojas-Avelizapa."Characterization of a Novel Bacillus thuringiensis Phenotype Possessing Multiple Appendages Attached to a Parasporal Body", 2011, January (1st Quarter/Winter), Published, 1, 62, 307-312, Current Microbiology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00284-010-9678-2
  • David Ammons and Joanne Rampersad."MicroTracker: a Data Management Tool for Facilitating the Education of Undergraduate Students in Laboratory Research Environments", 2010, December, Published, 2, 11, 162-163, Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.v11i2.180
  • David Ammons and Raghuveer Puttagunta and Jose Granados and Georgina de la Garza and George Eyambe and Joanne Rampersad."An Exploratory Study of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and SCCmec Elements Obtained from a Community Setting Along the Texas Border with Mexico", 2010, May, Published, 5, 60, 321-326, Current Microbiology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00284-009-9544-2
  • David Ammons and Antonio Reyna and Jose Granados and Michael Samlal and Joanne Rampersad."An Investigation of Bacillus thuringiensis in Rectal-Collected Fecal Samples of Cows", 2009, November, Published, 5, 59, 532-536, Current Microbiology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00284-009-9472-1
  • Zhengdong Zhang and Madhavi Nayar and David Ammons and Joanne Rampersad and George Fox."Rapid in vivo exploration of a 5S rRNA neutral network", 2009, February, Published, 2, 76, 181-187, Journal of Microbiological Methods, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2008.10.010
  • Joanne Rampersad and Jenelle Johnson and Gabriel Brown and Michael Samlal and David Ammons."Prevalence, Serovar Determination and the Routine Detection of Salmonella in the Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)", 2008, Published, 4, 23, Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública (Pan American Journal of Public Health), http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1020-49892008000400006
  • Joanne Rampersad and Xiaohui Wang and Helen Gayadeen and Samuel Ramsewak and David Ammons."A preliminary assessment of an In-House PCR for Chlamydia trachomatis in response to the inaccessibility of commercial tests in Trinidad.", 2007, Published, 5, 22, 317-322, Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública (Pan American Journal of Public Health), http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1020-49892007001000004
  • Antonio Ventura and R Cruz-Camarillo and E López and J Ibarra and D Ammons and Joanne Rampersad and L Rojas-Avelizapa ." Morphological Characterization of the Bacterial Isolate Bt1-88, A Presuntively Novel Strain of Bacillus Thuringiensis", 2007, Published, 16, 248-249, Acta Microscopica
  • Rohini Roopnarine and David Ammons and Joanne Rampersad and Abiodyun Adesiyun."Occurrence and Characterization of Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) Strains from Dairy Farms in Trinidad", 2007, Published, 2, 54, 78-85, Zoonoses and Public Health, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1863-2378.2007.01024.x
  • Joanne Rampersad and DAVID AMMONS."VERSATILE BLOOD BAGS FOR LABORATORY FEEDING OF MOSQUITOES", 2007, June, Published, 2, 23, 149-152, Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, http://dx.doi.org/10.2987/8756-971x(2007)23[149:vbbflf]2.0.co;2
  • Joanne Rampersad and John Watkins and Michael Samlal and Raymond Deonanan and Shalini Ramsubeik and David Ammons."A nested-PCR with an Internal Amplification Control for the detection and differentiation of Bartonella henselae and B. clarridgeiae: An examination of cats in Trinidad", 2005, December, Published, 1, 5, BMC Infectious Diseases, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-5-63
  • Joanne Rampersad and David Ammons."A Bacillus thuringiensis isolation method utilizing a novel stain, low selection and high throughput produced atypical results", 2005, Published, BMC Microbiology
  • Joanne Rampersad and Ayub Khan and David Ammons."A Bacillus thuringiensis Isolate Possessing a Spore-Associated Filament", 2003, October (4th Quarter/Autumn), Published, 4, 47, 355-357, Current Microbiology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00284-003-4103-8
  • Joanne Rampersad and Ernest Cesar and Mervin Campbell and Michael Samlal and David Ammons."A field evaluation of PCR for the routine detection of Babesia equi in horses", 2003, May, Published, 2, 114, 81-87, Veterinary Parasitology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0304-4017(03)00129-8
  • Arlette Wright and Joanne Rampersad and Joseph Ryan and David Ammons."Molecular characterization of rabies virus isolates from Trinidad", 2002, June, Published, 2, 87, 95-102, Veterinary Microbiology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0378-1135(02)00045-7
  • Joanne Rampersad and Ayub Khan and David Ammons."Usefulness of staining parasporal bodies when screening for Bacillus thuringiensis", 2002, March, Published, 3, 79, 203-204, Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0022-2011(02)00018-6
  • D Ammons and Joanne Rampersad and M.A Poli."Evidence for PSP in mussels in Trinidad", 2001, June, Published, 6, 39, 889-892, Toxicon, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0041-0101(00)00228-2
  • David Ammons and Joanne Rampersad."An E. coli 5S rRNA Deletion Mutant Useful for the Study of 5S rRNA Structure/Function Relationships", 2001, March, Published, 2, 43, 89-92, Current Microbiology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002840010266
  • DAVID AMMONS and Joanne Rampersad and CONSTANTIN FLYTZANIS."Intracellular Trafficking of the Nuclear Receptor COUP-TF in Live Sea Urchin Embryos", 1999, September, Published, 4, 39, 774-782, American Zoologist, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icb/39.4.774
  • D. Ammons and Joanne Rampersad and G. Fox."5S rRNA gene deletions cause an unexpectedly high fitness loss in Escherichia coli", 1999, January (1st Quarter/Winter), Published, 2, 27, 637-642, Nucleic Acids Research, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/nar/27.2.637
  • David Ammons and Joanne Rampersad and George Fox."A Genomically Modified Marker Strain of Escherichia coli", 1998, November, Published, 5, 37, 341-346, Current Microbiology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002849900389
  • Kyle Copps and Ron Richman and Laura Lyman and Kimberly Chang and Joanne Rampersad and Mitzi Kuroda."Complex formation by the Drosophila MSL proteins: role of the MSL2 RING finger in protein complex assembly", 1998, September, Published, 18, 17, 5409-5417, The EMBO Journal, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/emboj/17.18.5409
  • Joanne Rampersad and John Agard and David Ammons."Effects of gamete concentration on the in vitro fertilization of manually extracted gametes of the oyster (Crassostrea rhizophorae)", 1994, Published, 123, 153-162, Aquaculture
  • Joanne Rampersad and David Ammons."Production of Crassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding) spat from hatchery-reared larvae", 1992, Published, 106, 253-260, Aquaculture

Present Courses

  • CHEM 3303 90L - Biochemistry I:
  • UNIV 4000 04 - Directed Research:
  • MARS 3350 90L - General Aquaculture:
  • CHEM 1311 90L - General Chemistry I:
  • EEMS 6185 01 - Graduate Research: