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FELISA L. Wolfe-Simon

Curriculum Vitae   (pdf)

note pdf is most current CV

 

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

Harvard University

20 Oxford Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

ph: (617) 495-8339

fax: (617) 496-4387

wolfe [at] eps.harvard.edu

www.ironlisa.com

Felisa with Govindjee, one of her heros!
2008 Photosynthesis Gordon Research Conference.

education:

Ph.D.    2006   Rutgers University                          Oceanography

Dissertation title: The Role and Evolution of Superoxide Dismutases in Algae

B.A.      2000   Oberlin College                               Biology (Chemistry)

B.M.     2000   Oberlin Conservatory of Music      Oboe Performance (Ethnomusicology)

profesional experience:

2006-present              NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Metallomics Lab,

                                    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University; and

                                    Laboratory for Molecular Biogeochemistry and Organic Geochemistry,

                                    Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University

2003-2006                  Graduate Assistant, Dept. of Oceanography, Rutgers University

2001-2003                  Teaching Assistant, Dept. of Oceanography, Rutgers University

2000-2001                  Graduate Fellow, Dept. of Oceanography, Rutgers University

 

publications:

F. Wolfe-Simon, O. Schofield, and P. Falkowski (2008). Gene duplication and comparative molecular genetics of superoxide dismutase in oxygenic photoautotrophs. Molecular Biology and Evolution (in review).

 

F. Wolfe-Simon, J.J. Elser, and A.D. Anbar (2008). Differential responses of prokaryotes and eukaryotes to Fe stress: possible evolutionary implications. In prep for Geobiology.

 

F. Wolfe-Simon, P.C.W. Davies and A.D. Anbar (2008). Did nature also choose Arsenic? International Journal of Astrobiology. (in review).

 

F. Wolfe-Simon, W. Vermaas, A.D. Anbar, and P. Fromme (2008). Eukaryotic versus prokaryotic responses to iron deficiency in Photosystem I. In prep for Journal of Biochemistry.

 

D. Chauhan, I. M. Folea, R. Kouřil, C. Lubner, F. Wolfe-Simon, J. Golbeck, E. J. Boekema & P. Fromme (2008). Unraveling of new photosynthetic strategies for adaptation to low iron environments: The optimization of both antenna and electron transfer in an IsiA-PSI-trimer Supercomplex with complete double rings. In prep for Science.

 

P.C.W. Davies, S.A. Benner, C.E. Cleland, C.H. Lineweaver, C.P. McKay and F. Wolfe-Simon (2008). Signatures of a Shadow Biosphere. Astrobiology. (in review).

 

F. Wolfe-Simon, J.J. Elser, and A.D. Anbar (2008). Evolutionary drivers: metals, oxygen, and the Cambrian radiation of eukaryotes. In prep for Geobiology.

 

F. Wolfe-Simon, G.L. Arnold, M. Kyle, S. Schlichting, M. Engstrom, K. Dunning, J. Murray, A.D. Anbar, and J.J. Elser (2008). Chronic Fe-deficiency impacts the food quality of green algae for Daphnia sp. growth. In prep for Limnology and Oceanography.

 

F. Wolfe-Simon, A. Diamond, A.D. Anbar and H. Hartnett (2008). Molecular characterization of increased DOC production by a green alga. In prep. for Marine Ecology Progress Series.

 

J. Glass, F. Wolfe-Simon, and A. D. Anbar. (2008) Trace metal controls on the efficiency of nitrogen fixation: assessing microbial metal requirements in ancient oceans. In prep. for Limnology and Oceanography.

 

F. Wolfe-Simon,V. Starovoytov, J.R. Reinfelder, O. Schofield, and P. G. Falkowski (2006). Localization and role of manganese superoxide dismutase in a marine diatom. Plant Physiology. 142: 1701-1709.

 

F. Wolfe-Simon, D. Grzebyk, O. Schofield, and P. G. Falkowski (2005). The role and evolution of superoxide dismutase in algae. Journal of Phycology. 41: 453-465.

 

F. Wolfe, K. Kroeger and I. Valiela (1999).  Increased lability of estuarine dissolved organic nitrogen from urbanized watersheds.  Biological Bulletin. 197:290-292.

presentations:

Invited Seminars

2009    Geobiochemistry and metallomic evolution. Metals in Biology Gordon Research Conference.  Ventura, CA.

 

2008    Metallomic Evolution of Photosynthesis. Photosynthesis Gordon Research Conference.  South Hadley, MA.

 

2008    Oxygen, Metals, and the Evolutionary Drive Towards Eukaryotic Life. Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry Gordon Research Conference. Waterville Valley, NH.

 

2008   Biogeochemical evolution of life. TBA. Dept. of Geological and Planetary Sciences. California Institute of Technology. Pasadena, CA.

 

2008    Oxygen, Metals, and the Evolutionary Drive Towards Eukaryotic Life. Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences.  Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Cambridge, MA.

 

2008    Arsenic and Phosphorus. Origin of Life Gordon Research Conference. Ventura, CA.

 

2007    Geobiochemical evolution of the metalloproteome.  IFREE. JAMSTEC.  Yokosuka, JAPAN.

 

2007    Geo-evolutionary Significant Aspects of the Metalloproteome. International Symposium on Metallomics. Nagoya Congress Center. Nagoya, Japan.

 

2006    Biogeochemical Evolution of the Metalloproteome. Earth History and Paleobiology Seminar Series. Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Harvard University. Cambridge, MA.

 

2006    Tree or Forest? Searching for Alternative Forms of Life on Earth.  Arizona State University.  Environmental Signatures of Alternative Biochemistry. Tempe, AZ

 

2003    The Molecular Evolution and Selection of Superoxide Dismutase in Marine Phytoplankton. CEBIC Summer Conference. Center for Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry. Princeton University. Princeton, NJ.

 

2003    Tutorial: Hickory Dickory Dock- Understanding the Molecular Clock. Biocomplexity Seminar. Dept. of Geological Sciences. Rutgers University. New Brunswick, NJ.

 

Contributed Presentations and Posters

F. Wolfe-Simon, P. Fromme, W.F.J. Vermaas, J.J. Elser, and A. D. Anbar (2007). Evolutionary Geobiochemistry: Fe-deficient photosynthetic eukaryotes' Cu demand suggests ecological success stalled until widespread oxic conditions. CEBIC Summer Conference. Princeton University. Princeton, NJ

 

F. Wolfe-Simon, J. Morgan, J.J. Elser, and A. D. Anbar (2007). Evolutionarily significant differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic responses to Fe stress. ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Santa Fe, NM

 

F. Wolfe-Simon, J. Morgan, J.J. Elser, and A. D. Anbar (2006). Metallomic plasticity of cyanobacteria induced by iron availability. Gordon Research Conference: Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry. Andover, NH.

 

F. Wolfe-Simon, V. Starovoytov, J.R. Reinfelder, O. Schofield, and P. G. Falkowski (2006). Localization and role of manganese superoxide dismutase in a marine diatom. NASA AbSciCon.  Washington, D.C.

 

F. Wolfe-Simon, O. Schofield, and P. G. Falkowski (2006) The Metalloenzyme SOD and Its Role in Photoautotroph Evolution and Regulation.  Symposium on The Evolution of Aquatic Photoautotrophs.  New Brunswick, NJ

 

F. L. Wolfe, V. Starovoytov, O. Schofield and P. Falkowski. (2005). Diatoms express a novel MnSOD in the chloroplast that responds to light stress. ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT

 

F. L. Wolfe, O. Schofield, and P. Falkowski. (2004). The Metalloenzyme SOD and its role in photoautotroph evolution and regulation. Gordon Research Conference:  Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry. Lewiston, ME

 

F. L. Wolfe, O. Schofield and P. Falkowski. (2004). The comparative molecular evolution of iron and manganese superoxide dismutase in oxygenic photoautotrophs. ASLO Ocean Research Conference, Honolulu, HI

 

F. L. Wolfe, I. Berman-Frank, L. Haramaty, and P. Falkowski. (2003). The metallic shield of Trichodesmium: Fighting oxidative damage. ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT

 

F. L. Wolfe, I. Berman-Frank, L. Haramaty, and P. Falkowski. (2002). The metallic shield of Trichodesmium: Fighting oxidative damage. Gordon Research Conference:  Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry. Andover, NH

 

F. Wolfe, K. Kroeger and I. Valiela (2000).  Increased lability of estuarine dissolved organic nitrogen from urbanized watersheds. ASLO/AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting, San Antonio, TX

 

F. Wolfe, K. Kroeger and I. Valiela (1999).  Increased lability of estuarine dissolved organic nitrogen from urbanized watersheds.  General Scientific Meeting, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA

 

F. L. Wolfe and D. Coats (1997). Host specificity of the parasitic dinoflagellate Amoebophrya ceratii. 7th Annual East Coast Protist Meeting, Narragansett, RI

honors and awards:

National Science Foundation Minority Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2006-2009

ISM2007 Young Scientist Award, 2007

Honorable mention NSF Graduate Student Fellowship, 2001

Excellence Graduate Fellowship (Rutgers University), 2000

Sigma Xi, Associate Member, 2000

National Science Foundation- Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 1999

Hope Hibbard Scholarship in Biology (Oberlin College), 1999

Leo S. Millar Prize in Biological Scholarship (Oberlin College), 1998

professional service and activities:

Session Co-Convener. Elements and Evolution. AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA. December 2008


Session Convener and Co-Chair. Trace metals, microbial processes, and biogeochemical cycles through space and time. ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Santa Fe, NM. February 2007

 

Reviewer for Aquatic Microbial Ecology; Eukaryotic Cell; International Journal of Astrobiology; Journal of Phycology; Limnology and Oceanography; Israel Science Foundation; Plant Physiology.

 

President. Oceanography Graduate Student Association. 2003-2004


Professional Affiliations

American Chemical Society

American Geophysical Union

American Society of Limnology and Oceanography

American Society of Plant Biologists

Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society

Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution

Society of Bio-inorganic Chemistry

teaching experience:

Fall      2006                Guest Lecturer: PHY598 Topics in Biophysics: An Overview of

Modern Biology for Physicists (ASU)

Spring 2005                Lead Instructor and Coordinator: MS 303 Oceanographic

Scientific Inquiry: From biogeochemistry to genomes:

Explorations at aquatic interfaces. (Rutgers Univ.)

Fall      2001, 2002      Teaching Assistant: OCN 540 Chemical Oceanography. (Rutgers

Univ. graduate course)

student mentoring:

Graduate

James Saenz, Harvard and MIT/WHOI (Oceanography)

Jennifer Glass, ASU (Geosciences)

Kathryn Alexander, ASU (Geosciences)

Jennifer Morgan, ASU (Chemistry)

Undergraduate

Ashley Diamond, ASU, NASA Space Grant Intern

Alexandra Flournoy, ASU

Augie Trey, Rutgers University

Nashwa Choudhry, Rutgers University

Nicholas DeVito, Rutgers University

High School

David Robison, Maimonides (MA)

Maddie Andres, Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (MA)

Whitney Wells, Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (MA)

 

pedigree:

Postdoctoral Mentors

Harvard University: Ann Pearson

Arizona State University: Ariel D. Anbar, Paul C.W. Davies, James J. Elser, Petra Fromme, and Wim Vermaas

 

Graduate Advisors* and Dissertation Committee

Paul G. Falkowski*, Oscar Schofield*, Jody Hey, John Reinfelder, Edward Stiefel, and Costantino Vetriani

 
last modified 4 Aug 08