Submitted by Ian Wang on
What predicts whether some populations become species while others don’t? Ecological traits may play a key role in driving which evolutionary lineages diverge. Genomic studies are a powerful tool to investigate these questions, but the required computational skills are often not easily obtained in undergraduate courses. This project will provide undergraduates with an opportunity to explore the ecology and evolutionary history of tropical birds in one of three projects, working with either metagenomic or whole-genome sequence (WGS) data, while providing training in highly-desirable research skills.
Three existing genomic datasets have already been generated, and we are looking for undergraduate researchers to work on each:
1. Analyzing metagenomic data from stomach contents of three species of ant-following birds, identifying content arthropod species and testing how each bird species’ social role shapes diet.
2. Reconstructing the evolutionary history of a genus of Andean hummingbirds with WGS data.
3. Analyzing WGS data in 26 species of birds in eastern and western Panama to test whether patterns of genome evolution are predicted by ecology.
In each of these systems, students are also highly encouraged to use the data to ask questions of their own and to present and publish their work.
Students will be trained in bioinformatics skills, including but not limited to quality-control and alignment of data, variant detection, and basic population genetics analyses. This project is solely computational, with no lab or field components, although interested students may explore further opportunities in the lab group.
Background in basic biology, with preference for some experience ecology, genetics, and evolution. Basic computational skills recommended, but not required, as we will get you up to speed on required skills. Most important are an interest in evolution and ecology and a willingness to learn. Students should indicate if they have a particular dataset they’d prefer to work on in their application materials.