Our first symposium has wrapped up! Congrats on a great showing!
2022 Projects
Manzanita Conservation Genomics: Litt Lab
We are studying manzanitas, woody shrubs found throughout the California chaparral. They are noted for their distinctive curving branches with red bark and bright green leaves, as well as their diversity: there are 60 species in California. They are adapted to drought as well as frequent fires. A few species are widespread, but most are restricted to one or two populations, and about half are threatened or endangered. Increasing drought is predicted to put many more species in these categories. Our project is integrating genomic, morphological, environmental, and physiological data to clarify species diversity and understand the basis of their drought adaptations, as well as to understand the factors that have produced this abundance of different species. The project involves field work, molecular lab bench work, morphological and leaf functional trait measurements, and computational analyses. Skills practiced: plant anatomy and morphology identification, bioinformatics skills, DNA extraction and preservation, and genome assessment. |
Makayla Drew
|
Plant immune and development tradeoffs: Nagel Lab
We are examining insect galls on grape leaves caused by phylloxera, a small, yellow insect. There are many different wild varieties of grape in the US. Some varieties are more susceptible to galling than others. We are still in the early stages of understanding how these galls form, and how some species of grapes are able to resist phylloxera. We do know that some of the same genes involved in flowering are induced in the gall, but we do not know how those genes are induced. At the same time, galling insects also change the expression of plant immune and defense genes. Our project will examine specific patterns of gene expression in grapevine during gall development and in the other plant organs to understand the crosstalk between immune/defense signaling and development. This project can include measurements of plant growth and development, insect culture, gene expression experiments, and bioinformatics. Skills practiced: bioinformatics skills, DNA extraction and preservation, and gene structure/sequence assessment. |
Ebenezer Faidoo
|
Utilizing aerial imagery to develop new monitoring strategies for conservation: Larios Lab
A key component to conservation biology is managing large open spaces. This management often involves tracking vegetation changes and evaluating the effectiveness of management actions. Aerial imagery from drones has emerged as a powerful new tool to help land managers track some of these dynamics. For this project, we are partnering with the Vulcan Foundation which oversees a conservation bank within a tributary of the Santa Ana River. This ecosystem is home to several endangered or threatened species and the Foundation has partnered with various biological consultants and UCR to develop new monitoring strategies using aerial imagery. As a member of the project, you would assist in the image processing and learn other spatial analyses to help identify indicators of management outcomes. Skills practiced: bioinformatics skills, database management, and spatial analyses |
Kyra Harvey
|