Ben Brammell, Ph.D.

Professor of Biology

Department: Science & Health

Office: Shaw Collaborative Learning Center 247

Phone Number: (859) 858-5123

Contact Ben Brammell

Education

Ph.D., Biology, University of Kentucky. Dissertation: Characterization of pollutant response in teleosts with varying degrees of pollutant sensitivity.
M.S., Biology, Tennessee Technological University. Thesis: Evaluation of brook trout restoration efforts in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
B.S., Biology, Eastern Kentucky University

Lab website: https://www.brammelllab.com

C.V.

Courses taught

Bio 100: Introductory Biology for Non-Majors
Bio 201: Introductory Biology for Majors
Bio 217: Environmental Science
Bio 221: Ecology
Bio 293: Aquatic and Wetland Biology
Bio 352: Physiology
Bio 393: Biogeography of the Galapagos Islands

Research

My lab’s research uses a combination of molecular and field techniques to address ecological questions. Our current work primarily focuses on questions related to the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) in the detection of species, particularly cryptic species, of amphibians and fish. This technique utilizes DNA fragments released by aquatic organisms to establish their presence, and in some cases abundance, in aquatic systems. By targeting specific mitochondrial sequences we are able to distinguish species based on the DNA they leave behind, enabling us to find the proverbial “needle in a haystack;” organisms that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to detect. Read more about our research here: https://www.brammelllab.com.

Selected Publications

* indicates undergraduate coauthor

Brammell, Ben F., Elizabeth K. Strasko*, Sara A. Brewer*, Rebecca R. Piche*, Cierla M. Sams*, Cy L. Mott, Malinda A. Stull. 2023. Detecting fossorial salamanders using eDNA: Development and validation of quantitative and end-point PCR assays for the detection of five species of Ambystoma. Conservation Genetics Resources (2023). Full text

Strasko, Elizabeth K.*, Rebecca R. Piche*, and Ben F. Brammell. 2023. Development and validation of PCR primers for detecting Ambystoma texanum (smallmouth salamander) from eDNA samples. Tennessee Journal of Herpetology, 2023. Full text

Bell, Florene F.*, Angie F. Flores*, Kenton L. Sena, Thomas A. Maigret, Chi Jing Leow*, Ronald B. Sams*, David K. Peyton, and Ben F. Brammell. 2022. Development and validation of qPCR assays for use in eDNA detection of southern two-lined (Eurycea cirrigera) and northern dusky (Desmognathus fuscus) salamanders. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 17(2):398-412. Full text

Guivas, Ramon* and Ben F. Brammell. 2020. Use of environmental DNA to determine fantail darter (Etheostoma flabellare) density in a laboratory setting: Effects of biomass and filtration method. International Jounral of Zoology (3) 1-7. Full text

Brammell, Ben F., David J. Price, Wesley J. Birge, Adria A. Elskus. 2013. Lack of CYP1A responsiveness in species inhabiting chronically contaminated habitats: two varieties of resistance? Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C 52:2317-2322. Abstract

Brammell, Ben F. and Shawn M. Banks. 2011. Notes on the Crayfish of Blackburn Fork Watershed, Jackson and Putnam County, Tennessee. Journal of the TN Academy of Science 86:105-107. Full text

Brammell, Ben F., David J. Price, Wesley J. Birge, Adria A. Elskus. 2010. Differential sensitivity of CYP1Ato 3,3’,4’,4 – tetrachlorobiphenyl and benzo(a)pyrene in two Lepomis species. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C 152:42-50. Abstract

Brammell, Ben F., Scott J. McLain, James T. Oris, David J. Price, Wesley J. Birge and Adria A. Elskus. 2010. CYP1A Expression in Caged Rainbow Trout Discriminates Among Sites with Various Degrees of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Contamination. Archives of Environmental Contamination and
Toxicology 58:772-782. Abstract

Brammell, Ben F., Ian T. Struewing, David M. Klarer, Scott G. Lynn. 2009. An Evaluation of the Ichthyofauna of Old Woman Creek Estuary, a Unique Aquatic Resource. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 24:521-527. Full text

Recent Research Funding

Assessment of biodiversity in freshwater lotic Galápagos habitats (San Cristóbal) through the use of eDNA metabarcoding. Kentucky Academy of Science, Summer Research Grant. Ben F. Brammell. Awarded March 2024.

Evaluating the effects of ecological restoration efforts on stream health in the inner Bluegrass (through the use of eDNA metabarcoding of aquatic invertebrate communities). United States Geological Survey, 104b grant. Kenton L. Sena and Ben F. Brammell. Awarded October 2023.

Assessment of salamander distribution in the GSMNP through the use of eDNA metabarcoding with an emphasis on a reexamination of the distribution of the rare salamander, E. junaluska. Great Smoky Mountains Conservation Association, Carlos C. Campbell Memorial Fellowship. Ben Brammell, Jarrett Johnson, and Elizabeth Strasko. Awarded January 2023.

Selected Recent Presentations

Brown, Hope A. Brown, Abigail K. Fletcher, Sara A. Brewer, Joanne Jung, Mary R. Johnson, Cierla V. McGuire, Malinda A. Stull, and Ben F. Brammell. 2023. Development of environmental DNA (eDNA) qPCR assays for the detection of darter species: Significance of phylogeography in assay efficacy. 108^th Annual Kentucky Academy of Science Meeting, Nov. 3-4, 2023, Northern KY Univ. Highland Heights, KY. Poster.

Brammell, Ben F., Sara A. Brewer, Elizabeth K. Strasko, and Jarrett R. Johnson. 2023. The search for a rare salamander: The use of eDNA in detection of Eurycea junaluska in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Annual meeting of the Tennessee Herpetological Society, Sept. 28-29^th, 2023, Union City, TN. Poster.

Brewer, Sara A., Cy L. Mott, Rebecca R. Piche, Florene G. Bell, Elizabeth K. Strasko, Jarrett R. Johnson, Kenton L. Sena, Thomas A. Maigret, Ben. F. Brammell. 2023. An improved assay for eDNA detection of four toed salamanders (Hemidactylium scutatum): Significance of mitochondrial genome region in primer development. Annual meeting of the Tennessee Herpetological Society, Sept. 28-29^th, 2023, Union City, TN. Poster.

Brewer, Sara A. Florene G. Bell, Angie F. Flores, Kenton L. Sena, Thomas A. Maigret, Chi Jing Leow, and Ben F. Brammell. 2023. eDNA detection of northern red (Pseudotriton ruber) and spring (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) salamanders in eastern Kentucky streams. Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium, September 15, 2023, Lexington, KY. Poster.

Fletcher, Abigail K., Mary R. Johnson, Cierla V. McGuire, Sara A. Brewer, Joanne Jung, Malinda A. Stull, and Ben F. Brammell. 2022. eDNA detection of darters (Percidae: Etheostomatinae) in central Kentucky streams. 107^th Annual Kentucky Academy of Science Meeting, Nov. 10-12, 2022, Morehead State Univ., Morehead, KY. Poster.

Jeffrey, Brendan C., Sara A. Brewer, Florene G. Bell, and Ben F. Brammell. 2022. Development and validation of qPCR assays for detection of four toed salamanders (Hemidactylium scutatum). Meeting of the Tennessee Herpetological Society, Sept. 29-30^th, 2022, Austin Peay Univ., Clarksville, TN. Poster.

Fletcher, Abigail K., Mary R. Johnson, Cierla V. McGuire, Sara A. Brewer, Joanne Jung, Malinda A. Stull, and Ben F. Brammell. 2022. Development of eDNA protocols for detection of four dater (Percidae: Etheostomatinae) species in central Kentucky streams. Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium, September 18, 2022, Lexington, KY. Poster.

Brammell, Ben F., Cierla M. Sams, Elizabeth K. Strasko, Rebecca R. Piche, Cy L. Mott, Malinda A. Stull. 2021. Detecting fossorial salamanders using eDNA; development and validation of quantitative and end-point PCR assays for the detection of five species of Ambystomid salamanders. 2021 Meeting of the Tennessee Herpetological Society, Dec. 6-7, 2021, Chattanooga, TN. Poster.

Strasko, Elizabeth K., Rebecca R. Piche, and Ben F. Brammell. 2021. Development and validation of qPCR assays for use in eDNA detection of Ambystoma texanum and Ambystoma talpoideum. 2021 Meeting of the Tennessee Herpetological Society, Dec. 6-7, 2021, Chattanooga, TN. Poster.

Piche, Rebecca R., Eliza M. Crawford, and Ben F. Brammell. 2021. Multiple methods of detection of semiaquatic salamanders in small lotic systems: A comparison of eDNA and leaf liter bags. 2021 Meeting of the Tennessee Herpetological Society, Dec. 6-7, 2021, Chattanooga, TN. Poster.

Piche, Rebecca R., Eliza M. Crawford, and Ben F. Brammell. 2021. A comparison of detection methods for semiaquatic salamanders: eDNA and leaf liter bags. 106^th Annual Kentucky Academy of Science Meeting, Nov. 5, 2021, Virtual presentation.

Strasko, Elizabeth K., Rebecca R. Piche, and Ben F. Brammell. 2021. Development and validation of qPCR assays for use in eDNA detection of Ambystoma texanum, Ambystoma talpoideum, and Notophthalmus viridescens. Annual Kentucky Academy of Science Meeting, Nov. 5, 2021, Virtual presentation.

Piche, Rebecca R. and Ben F. Brammell. 2021. Comparison of leaf litter bag and environmental DNA in detection of salamanders in Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory. Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium, September 13, 2021, Lexington, KY. Poster.

Beery, Elle, S., Marvin S. Ruffner, and Ben F. Brammell. Development of eDNA detection tools for queen snakes (Regina septemvittata) and northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon) in central Kentucky. 105^th Annual Kentucky Academy of Science Meeting, Nov. 1-2, 2019, Berea College, Berea, KY. Poster.

Guivas, Ramon A. Kyle T. Laufenburger and Ben F. Brammell. Evaluation of biomass and filtration method on eDNA detection of fantail darters (Etheostoma flabellare). Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium, March 25, 2019, Lexington, KY. Poster.

Ben F. Brammell, Sumathi Sankaran-Walters, Kayceline Deguzman, Chi Jing Leow, and Michael C. McGrann. 2018. Use of eDNA in a wilderness setting to detect multiple species of conservation interest. SEKI Science Symposium, Nov. 14-15, 2018, Three Rivers, CA. Poster.