My research uses microbial source tracking techniques to study the effects of campus stormwater drainage on the local watershed through the study of bacterial indicators of fecal contamination.  Enterococcus and Escherichia coli levels  are determined on a monthly basis from Newman Lake, the point where drainage water exits JMU's campus.  Isolates of the Enterococcus genus collected from the lake water and from geese feces (hypothesized to be a major contributor to contamination levels) are being speciated and subjected to a panel of antibiotics to compare characteristics of the bacteria.  Eventually, molecular techniques will be used to look for markers linking Enterococcus isolates collected from Newman Lake to their source.