Below are some possible projects in which you may be involved. The exact project will depend on the applicant's interest. Whether you are interested in interactions among organisms or how plants respond to their environment, we have projects to spanning all levels of biological organization, from cell to ecosystem.
2022 Potential Projects
What genes enable local adaptation?
We are resequencing the genomes of several insect-host plant populations to understand how interactions vary genetically across different environments.
Skills practiced: bioinformatics skills, DNA extraction and preservation, and genome assessment.
How do organisms survive a rapidly changing climate?
Using herbaria records, citizen science data, and projected distributions, we will assess how sensitive habitats, such as riparian zones, change over time and what this means for species interactions.
Skills practiced: ecoinformatics skills, specimen preservation, and phenotyping/trait assessment.
What role do microbes play?
Bacteria and their viruses (bacteriophages) play important and yet unknown roles in species interactions. We will assess microbial diversity across host and habitat to understand these processes.
Skills practiced: bioinformatics skills, DNA/RNA extraction and analysis, and genome assessment.
How do insects reengineer development?
Plant development is reengineered by gall makers by changing the expression of key genes plants use to create sinks (such as fruits, seeds, and roots). This project will use host species varying in their phenotype to link observed changes to these genes.
Skills practiced: DNA/RNA extraction, gene expression analysis, and phenotyping/trait assessment.
How do circadian rhythms influence species interactions?
Internal clocks regulate plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses, but how these processes are co-opted by developmental engineers remains unknown. This project will investigate key clock function as an insect reengineers its host.
Skills practiced: DNA/RNA extraction, gene expression analysis, and phenotyping/trait assessment.
How extended is the phenotype?
Parasites depend on their hosts but often commandeer host processes to ensure their survival. This project will assess the ecological benefits of controlling the host phenotype by examining interactions.
Skills practiced: ecoinformatics skills, phenotyping/trait assessment, and performance trials.
We are resequencing the genomes of several insect-host plant populations to understand how interactions vary genetically across different environments.
Skills practiced: bioinformatics skills, DNA extraction and preservation, and genome assessment.
How do organisms survive a rapidly changing climate?
Using herbaria records, citizen science data, and projected distributions, we will assess how sensitive habitats, such as riparian zones, change over time and what this means for species interactions.
Skills practiced: ecoinformatics skills, specimen preservation, and phenotyping/trait assessment.
What role do microbes play?
Bacteria and their viruses (bacteriophages) play important and yet unknown roles in species interactions. We will assess microbial diversity across host and habitat to understand these processes.
Skills practiced: bioinformatics skills, DNA/RNA extraction and analysis, and genome assessment.
How do insects reengineer development?
Plant development is reengineered by gall makers by changing the expression of key genes plants use to create sinks (such as fruits, seeds, and roots). This project will use host species varying in their phenotype to link observed changes to these genes.
Skills practiced: DNA/RNA extraction, gene expression analysis, and phenotyping/trait assessment.
How do circadian rhythms influence species interactions?
Internal clocks regulate plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses, but how these processes are co-opted by developmental engineers remains unknown. This project will investigate key clock function as an insect reengineers its host.
Skills practiced: DNA/RNA extraction, gene expression analysis, and phenotyping/trait assessment.
How extended is the phenotype?
Parasites depend on their hosts but often commandeer host processes to ensure their survival. This project will assess the ecological benefits of controlling the host phenotype by examining interactions.
Skills practiced: ecoinformatics skills, phenotyping/trait assessment, and performance trials.
