Kristina Mojica

Kristina Mojica

University of Hawaii
Department of Oceanography
POST building
1680 East West Road, Rm. 135
Honolulu, HI 96822

Phone: (808)956-6285

Education:

BS Marine Biology, with minors in Enviromental Science and Chemisty from Hawaii Pacific Univeristy

Current research:

Biological Oceanography - Marine Biological Antifouling compounds. My research primarly focuses on the development of measures for the quantification of biofilm formation that can be used to screen biological extracts for their ability to inhibit biofilm formation. Second to this goal, is a survey of marine seagrass and macroalgae around the island of Oahu to assess bacterial fouling on photosynthetic surfaces and the selection of minimally fouled species. Selected species can then be used to obtain crude extracts, which can then be analyzed using the developed bioassays for their ability to inhibit biofilm formation.

Faculty advisor:

Michael Cooney

Past research:

The culture of the Marine Cyanobacteria Symploca laete-viridis and Symploca hydnoides for Bioprocess Intensification of Metabolite Production. Preformed as an undergraduate at Hawaii Pacific University

Awards/Grants:

Trustees Scholarly Endeavors Fund at Hawaii Pacific University
Culture of the Marine Cyanobacteria Symploca laete-viridis and Symploca hydnoides for Bioprocess Intensification of Metabolite Production. Awarded $5000 for the grant period of June 2004 – Dec 2004.
University of Hawaii at Manoa 2003 MSURF Program
I worked to develop a chemical dye assay to quantify biofilm inhibition (based on exopolysaccharide production) which could then be used to effectively screen secondary metabolites produced by marine floral for their ability to regulate biofilm formation.

Teaching activities:

Assistant Laboratory Course Teacher for Microbiology 140 (Spring 2005)
University of Hawaii at Manoa 2004 MSURF Program Assisstant Mentor (Summer 2004)
Guest Lecturer OEST 740: Marine Biofilms, Ecology and Impact (Spring 2004)

Outreach activities:

Volunteer educator for SOEST Open House 2005

Na Kama Kai, Department of Oceanography
Last modified: October 2005