18. GOALS FOR FELLOWSHIP TRAINING AND CAREER NAME (Last, first, middle initial) Koelling, Vanessa, A. INSTITUTION MENTOR College, Portland, OR Dr. Keith Karoly SUPERVISOR/EMPLOYER INSTITUTION/COMPANY Reed College Dr. Keith Karoly As an NIH pre-doctoral fellow and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Georgia, my primary goal will be to study the ecological and molecular genetics of speciation in the plant genus Leavenworthia (Brassicaceae). Undertaking this proposed research will allow me to meet other complementary goals during my fellowship training as well. These complementary goals include learning new field and laboratory techniques, and gaining more experience in the use of those techniques. In particular, I plan to be more extensively trained in molecular genetic techniques for the examination of gene structure and function, chromosome structure and function, and genome evolution as a whole. Molecular genetic techniques will aid me in completing more comprehensi,m studies of the genetics of speciation than could be done using a purely ecological genetics approach. After I receive my doctoral degree from the University of Georgia, I intend to continue studying the genetics of speciation while teaching evolutionary genetics courses at the college or university level. Ultimately, my fellowship training and graduate education will play a pivotal role in my intellectual development and career growth. -'1i'Jl _'l'ii 19. NAME AND DEGREE(S) Rodney Mauricio, Ph.D. 20. POSITION/RANKAssistant Professor of Genetics 21. RESEARCH INTERESTS/AREAS The genetics and evolution of complex traits; population genetics, ecological genetics; evolutionary genetics il=_1_'11i|'_:I' :{,li{,lql', 22. DESCRIPTION (Do not exceed space provided) Understanding how species form is one of the fundamental unanswered questions of evolutionary genetics. And it is critical in understanding genome evolution. Answering this question requires knowledge of the genetic basis of reproductive isolation between species. Specific questions are: (1) what evolutionary processes are responsible for reproductive barriers between species?; (2) what are the frequency of certain barriers to reproduction between species'?.; (3) how many loci contribute to the quantitative traits associated with reproductive isolation between species?; and (4) what genes control reproductive isolation between species and how do they function? To begin to answer these questions, the ecological and genetic basis of reproductive isolation between two species in the plant genus Leavenworthia (L. alabamica and L. crassa) will be determined. Reciprocal transplant experiments will determine whether or not ecogeographic isolation is present. Pollinator observations will be conducted to see if pollinator preferences differ between species, which would be a form of ethological isolation. Leavenworthia alabamica and L. crassa hybridize in nature, and thus hybrid viability will be examined in order to determine if any post-zygotic barriers to reproduction exist. Quantitative trait loci will be mapped to determine how many genetic loci are responsible for reproductive isolation. These QTL will be compared to the sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana as a clue to gone function. Finally, the genetics of any inbreeding depression observed in these species or their hybrids will be determined. PHS 416-1 (Rev. 12/98) Form Page 2 BB cc Individual NRSA Application Table of Contents ========================================Section End===========================================
| Koelling, V A; Hamrick, J L; Mauricio, R (2011) Genetic diversity and structure in two species of Leavenworthia with self-incompatible and self-compatible populations. Heredity (Edinb) 106:310-8 |
| Koelling, Vanessa A; Mauricio, Rodney (2010) Genetic factors associated with mating system cause a partial reproductive barrier between two parapatric species of leavenworthia (brassicaceae). Am J Bot 97:412-22 |
