Dr. April Hill
Associate Professor of Biology
Clarence E. Denoon Professor of Science
B-210 Gottwald Science Center
Office: (804) 484-1591
Fax: (804) 289-8233
Teaching:
Introduction to Biological Thinking: The Animal Genetic Toolkit
Integrated Quantitative Science
Genetics
Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Research:
We use marine and freshwater sponges as model systems to ask questions about the genetics and development of animal evolution and symbioses. Sponges are ancient animals that retain characteristics of an early experiment in multicellularity while also sharing some highly conserved features with other metazoans; these unique features provide a system in which to explore hypotheses about the evolution of animals. Research in our lab focuses the role of conserved developmental control genes and gene networks that originated prior to advent of animal adaptations such as tissues and nervous systems. We also work on elucidating the genetic pathways involved in the evolution of animal symbioses and their role in sponge development. Finally, our lab is involved in an international collaboration working on The Porifera Tree of Life (PorToL) project, which will generate a well-supported molecular and morphological phylogeny of the sponges that will improve our understanding of early animal evolution.
Education:
Ph.D., University of Houston
Selected Publications:
M. Hill and A. Hill. (2009) Porifera (sponges). In: G. Likens (ed.) Encyclopedia of Inland Waters. Elsevier Press, Oxford, UK.
N. Lemoine*, N. Buell*, A. Hill, and M. Hill. (2007) Assessing the utility of sponge microbial symbiont communities as models to study global climate change: a case study with Halichondria bowerbanki. p. 419-425. In: Hajdu, E., and G. Muricy (eds.). Porifera Research: Biodiversity, Innovation, and Sustainability.
M. Hill, A. Hill, N. Lopez and O. Harriott (2006) Sponge-specific bacterial symbionts in the Caribbean sponge, Chondrilla nucula. Marine Biology. 148: 1221-1230.
A. Hill, J. Tetrault*, and M. Hill (2004) Isolation and expression analysis of a poriferan Antp-class BarX/Bsh-like homeobox gene. Development, Genes and Evolution. 214 (10): 515-523.
A. Hill, A. Wagner*, and M. Hill (2003) Hox and paraHox genes from the anthozoan Parazoanthus parasiticus. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 28: 529-535.
M. Hill, and A. Hill (2002) “Morphological Plasticity in the tropical sponge Anthosigmella varians: responses to predators and wave energy” Biological Bulletin. 202: 86-95.
M. Hill, C. Stabile*, L.K. Steffen, and A. Hill (2002) “Toxic Effects of Endocrine Disrupters on Two Species of Freshwater Sponge: Common Developmental Abnormalities.” Environmental Pollution. 117: 295-300.
*undergraduate co-authors
