ORAL PRESENTER CO-AUTHOR: Emily Rumschlag Booms, Northeastern Illinois University TITLE: Assessing how biotic and abiotic factors impact survival of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis zoospores ABSTRACT: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, the amphibian chytrid fungus known as Bd, is one of the greatest threats facing amphibians. Bd has been the leading cause of frog deaths from Australia to local wetlands. Wisconsin and the Midwest have reported Bd cases but have been spared large mortality events so far. The disease associated with Bd, chytridiomycosis, is fatal in post-metamorphic frogs. Bd is an amphibian generalist, as it can also be linked to other amphibian deaths. In this study, I aim to understand how environmental factors associated with climate change may impact zoospore survival and Bd spread by first testing rising temperatures and CO2 impact. Zoospores were incubated from 17-35 degrees Celsius, and live zoospore counts were assessed at days 4, 8, and 12. Zoospores thrived in this range, with modest inhibition at 35 degrees Celsius, suggesting that as climate change warms environments, zoospores can survive and potentially infect a broader host range. I also tested the effects of a CO2-enriched environment and found that this environment does not inhibit zoospores but enhances survival. I also tested different soil Bacillus species that have some antifungal properties to determine if they could counter abiotic enhancement effects. Bacillus thuringiensis consistently decreased zoospore survival, suggesting that this bacteria may provide amphibians protection. These findings may be used by aquariums or zoos during amphibian assessments and could serve to treat infected amphibians or reduce infection risk by modifying environmental conditions. For at-risk wild amphibians, soil assessment could determine if the Bacillus sp. are present, and if not, soil could be treated as a prophylactic action. BIO: Jason Block is a first generation college student that received his bachelor's degree in biology from Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). Jason had been a member of the biology department's laboratory prep staff for the duration of his undergraduate degree. Jason has also been awarded several grants and scholarships through NEIU's biology department and graduate college.