Helene Ver Eecke

Senior Microbiologist

Project Developer and Leader:
— Independently researched previous and current work and decided a course of action for a brand new project
— Designed and implemented the construction of a brand new four-room laboratory space with self-acquired state of the art equipment
— Recruited, hired, and mentored five scientists of various disciplines and levels of expertise

Research Achievements:
— Developed, facilitated, and contributed to the efficient screening of a large species bank
— Empirically determined optimal conditions and nutrient package so as to circumvent toxicity and maximize metabolic output
— Worked with bioprocessing engineers towards commercialization of research with large scale bioreactors

Ph.D. from Department of Microbiology
Thesis Title: Growth kinetics and constraints related to metabolic diversity and abundances of hyperthermophiles in deep-sea hydrothermal vents
View Disseration

• Advisor: James F. Holden, Ph.D - Associate Professor, Hyperthermophile Research Group
• Thesis Projects:
  • Relative abundances of hyperthermophilic autotrophic iron reducers, methanogens and heterotrophs within deep-sea hydrothermal vents
  • Modeling deep-sea hydrothermal vents by correlating quantified growth constraints of field isolates with environmental conditions
  • Isolation and characterization of growth and metabolic rates and bioenergetics of Methanocaldococcus methanogenic species, and Pyrodictiaceae iron-reducing species
• Final GPA: 3.97
  
  

Bachelors of Arts from Department of Biology (cum laude, May 2005)
Research Topic: Pattern formation variables and phylogenetic identification of a Paenibacillus bacteria.

• Advisor: Michael M. Brown, Ph.D - Professor, Microbiologist
• Awarded Research and Creativity Grant from McDaniel College
• First Place in Senior Research Symposium

Ver Eecke, H.C.,J.A. Huber, D.A. Butterfield, and J.F. Holden (Submitted) Modeling the growth and bioenergetics of a hyperthermophilic deep-sea methanogen from Axial Volcano.

Ver Eecke, H.C., D.A. Butterfield, E.J. Olson, K.K. Roe, L.J. Evans, M.D. Lilley, J.A. Huber, and J.F. Holden (in preparation) H₂-limited growth of hyperthermophilic methanogens in deep-sea hydrothermal vents.

Ver Eecke, H.C., D.S. Kelley, and J.F. Holden (2009) Abundances of hyperthermophilic autotrophic Fe(III) oxide reducers and heterotrophs in deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide chimneys of the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 75:242-245 Supplement

Growth kinetics experiments (batch and bioreactor), fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH and CARD-FISH), DNA extraction (phenol/chloroform and numerous kits), primer/probe design, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), plasmid transformation, agarose gel electrophoresis, polyacrylamide electrophoresis, anaerobic media preparation, amorphous iron gel preparation, most probable number estimates ((MPN) i.e. quantitative culturing), incubation of natural assemblages, pure strain isolation (e.g. serial dilution to extinction and roll-tubes), spectrophotometric assays (e.g. Ferrozine and methylene blue)

20-L and 2-L bioreactors, gas chromatograph (FID and TCD), spectrophotometer (standard and nano-drop), microscope (phase-contrast and epifluorescent), hybridization oven, manifold, Hungate, anaerobic chamber

Windows, Mac OS, Microsoft Office, Photoshop, ImageJ, Dreamweaver, Kaleidagraph, Endnote, BioEdit, Clustal, SILVA/ARB, DOTUR, MOTHUR, Perl

Helene C. Ver Eecke, David A. Butterfield, Julie A. Huber, and James F. Holden: Growth and Methane Production Characteristics of a Novel Methanocaldococcus Species Isolated from Axial Volcano.
View Abstract | View Poster | Conference Website

Helene C. Ver Eecke, Daniel M. Oslowski, David A. Butterfield, Eric J. Olson, Marvin D. Lilley and James F. Holden: Modeling the Growth of Hyperthermophiles in Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Diffuse Fluids and Sulfide Deposits.
View Abstract | View Poster | Conference Website

James F. Holden, Helene C. Ver Eecke, Daniel M. Oslowski, Samantha L. Zelin, George S. Hamaoui, Jr., Dmitry Tokar, and Anna Eboch. Raiders of the Lost Archaea: Physiology, Geomicrobiology, and Biotechnology of Hyperthermophiles
View Poster | Event Website

Helene C. Ver Eecke, Deborah S. Kelley, and James F. Holden: Distribution, Abundances and Characteristics of Hyperthermophilic Autotrophic Iron Reducers and Obligate Heterotrophs in Sulfide Deposits from the Endeavour Segment
Conference Website

Helene C. Ver Eecke, Deborah S. Kelley, and James F. Holden: Distribution, Abundances and Characteristics of Hyperthermophilic Autotrophic Iron Reducers and Obligate Heterotrophs in Sulfide Deposits from the Endeavour Segment
View Abstract | View Poster | Conference Website

Helene C. Ver Eecke, Deborah S. Kelley, and James F. Holden: Hyperthermophile abundances and metabolic diversity in deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide deposits from the Endeavour segment, Northeastern Pacific Ocean.
View Abstract | View Poster

Dissertation Defense: Growth kinetics and constraints related to metabolic diversity and abundances of hyperthermophiles in deep-sea hydrothermal vents
View Slides

Curtis B. Thorne "Carry On" Award For Exceptional Academic Achievements
Department Recruitment Seminar: Under ‘Da Sea: How Deep-Sea Hyperthermophiles Grow
View Slides

Outstanding Student Paper Award
New Insights From Integrated Multidisciplinary Studies of Oceanic Spreading Center Processes:
Modeling the Growth of Hyperthermophiles in Deep-sea Hydrothermal Diffuse Fluids and Sulfide Deposits
View Abstract | View Slides |Meeting Website

Wageningen University - University of Massachusetts Amherst Mini-Symposium on Environmental Microbiology: Constraints on hyperthermophile growth in deep-sea hydrothermal vents
View Slides

Departmental Seminar: Geomicrobiology and Kinetic Modeling of Hyperthermophiles From Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents
View Slides

Departmental Seminar: Hyperthermophiles in Sulfide Deposits from Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents
View Slides

Part of a NSF-funded collaborative research cruise with RV Atlantis and DSV Alvin. Studied the biogeochemistry and microbiology of the Endeavour ISS and Axial Volcano. High and low temperature fluids were sampled, sulfide samples were recovered, data and fluids were collected from automated fluid samplers and CTD casts.
Part of a NSF-funded collaborative research cruise and the Endeavour Segment and Axial Volcano Geochemistry and Ecology Research (EAGER) program, which studied the biogeochemistry and microbiology of the Endeavour ISS and Axial Volcano in the North Eastern Pacific Ocean. High and low temperature fluids were sampled, sulfide samples were recovered.

I was a member of the science RV Atlantis crew for the ~3 week duration of each cruise, and participated in a DSV Alvin dive each cruise. I managed the receiving and processing of samples for numerous microbial culture dependent and culture independent techniques. I prepared microbial inocula from collected samples and performed quantitative culturing techniques on board to estimate the relative abundance of hyperthermophiles viable within each sample. These primary enrichments became the source of numerous isolation experiments.
2009 Cruise Synopsis | 2008 Cruise Synopsis

Biology of Cancer and AIDS - An undergraduate-level course with 500 science and non-science majors. Explores how cancer and AIDS begin and progress with emphasis on immunology, molecular biology, virology, microbiology, and vaccinology. Independently wrote and graded quizzes, led review sessions, typed up class notes for disability services, held office hours, managed class website (Blackboard, WebCT).

Dean Steve Goodwin, Ph.D. (Fall 2005, Fall 2006)
Professor Wilmore C. Webley, Ph.D. (Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Fall 2007)
Course Syllabus

Responsible Conduct of Research in Life Sciences - An interdisciplinary graduate-level course concerning the ethical issues in the conduct of life science research. Independently constructed and managed course website, wrote and graded weekly exams, assigned final grades.

Professor Eric S. Corp, Ph.D. (Spring 2007)
Course Syllabus

Summary: Scientists studying life around "black smokers" deep below the Pacific Ocean have discovered unique organisms that can survive in one of the harshest environments on Earth. The habitat may also provide information about how life could survive on other locations in the solar system.

Read more on AstroBio.net

Summary: In a paper published this week in the January issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology describing previous work at this site, Holden, with doctoral student Helene Ver Eecke and University of Washington oceanographer Deborah Kelley, describe the abundance of three anaerobic microorganisms that grow optimally near 200 degrees F, along with their habitat requirements, based on samples taken near several black smokers.

Read more on UMass.edu

President of Microbiology Graduate Student Group, Student Chapter of ASM
The chapter fosters student involvement, creates an environment for student researchers to present their work and engage in scientific discourse, encourages participation in scientific conferences, and invites outside speakers. Role of the President: preside over meetings and make executive decisions, submit grant proposals for funds to support seminar speakers, organize educational outreach events, and promote conference participation. 
Chapter Website

Vice-President of Public Transportation and Bicycle Committee of Amherst
The Committee advises the Select Board and the Town Meeting on policy concerning transportation, pedestrian and bicycle issues. Apply, implement and manage state and federal grants. Motion and defend operational budget of Transportation Enterprise Fund. Engage in public forums and review all pertinent proposals and plans.
Committee Website

Available upon request.