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Ichthyopthirius (Ich), a unicellular parasite that attacks freshwater fish and causes “White Spot Disease,” often has deadly consequences for its host, yet there is no effective treatment for the disease. An Ich outbreak could claim as many as 18 million fish, harming aquacultures and economies around the world. Despite the disease’s prevalence, researchers have no definitive mechanism for Ich’s reproductive cycle, making it difficult to find effective vaccination and treatment. This summer, Chun Yee Lau ’12 and Ravi Jariwala ’13 are working under Assistant Professor of Biology Wei-Jen Chang to discover more about the Ich reproduction cycle.

“The evolutionary history of histone H3 suggests a deep eukaryotic root of chromatin modifying mechanisms,” a paper co-authored by Assistant Professor of Biology Wei-Jen Chang, was published in the online journal BMC Evolutionary Biology.  In the paper, Chang and his collaborators present the results of their research into the evolution of histone proteins in eukaryotes.

Four Hamilton faculty members have received awards to conduct research work during the summer. Associate Professor of Sociology Steve Ellingson and Associate Professor of Economics Julio Videras and were each awarded a Class of 1963 Faculty Fellowship. Assistant Professor of Biology Wei-Jen Chang and Assistant Professor of Japanese Kyoko Omori each received a Class of 1966 Career Development Award.