Duke University (2010-2012)
Speciation and Geographic Selection in Drosophila
I was involved in several projects aimed at specifying genes involved in hybrid sterility and meiotic drive in D. pseudoobscura and D. persimilis. My personal project tried to determine if there was any evidence of geographic selection in the small heat shock protein complex (sHsp) in D. pseudoobscura on the west coast of the United States. Such a topic has been popular among scientists who are interested in assessing possible effects of climate change on a species population range, as well as their genetic diversity, and selective pressures. This project was also where I began my interest in transcription factors.
Publications: Journal of Heredity, as part of The Noor Lab @ Duke University (Evolutionary Genetics)
Publications: Journal of Heredity, as part of The Noor Lab @ Duke University (Evolutionary Genetics)
UNC Greensboro (2007-2010)
Master's Research: Reproductive Ground Plan Hypothesis in Honeybee Evolution
My Masters' research centered on the question of honeybee social evolution. My research focused on the genetic architecture of reproductive differences in honey bees, as well as the potential for those underlying genes to have been involved in their eusocial evolution. This idea is laid out by the Reproductive Ground Plan Hypothesis, which suggests that gonotropic cycling in a honeybee’s solitary ancestor was co-opted, and utilized in the evolution of the current caste system. Evidence for this hypothesis rests on the idea that genes involved in foraging behaviors would also be involved in ovary morphology/development.
Publications: BMC-Evolutionary Biology, as part of The Rueppell Lab @ UNC - Greensboro (Evolutionary Genetics - Social Insects)
Publications: BMC-Evolutionary Biology, as part of The Rueppell Lab @ UNC - Greensboro (Evolutionary Genetics - Social Insects)
Population Genetics and Paternity Testing in Purple Martins
Purple Martin's are a gregarious species of bird which only lives in human made habitats ("apartments"). The introduction of the European Starling has created a number of problems, one of which is them pushing the native Purple Martin out of it's only housing resource. I helped quantify/qualify genetic markers for scientists working on this non-model organism, which could be used in research on conservation.
Publications: Conservation Genetics Resources, as part of The Schug Lab @ UNC - Greensboro (Evolutionary Genetics)
Publications: Conservation Genetics Resources, as part of The Schug Lab @ UNC - Greensboro (Evolutionary Genetics)
