The purpose of the award was to allow a UT student and the Primary Investigator to begin to examine microbial diversity in the park. The original request was to do significant molecular work but funds were awarded at only 15% of the request.
However, a series of short studies were carried out that have led to new funding from the National Science Foundation (ca $300,000 over 3 years) to look at cyanobacterial / viral interactions in freshwater systems. This work is currently in progress and uses one site (on Little River) as a field site.
Principal Investigator
PI Name: Dr. Steven W. Wilhelm
PI Organization: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Microbiology Dept.
Primary Taxonomist
Taxonomist Name: Dr. Steven W. Wilhelm
Taxonomist Organization: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Microbiology Dept.