Current M.S. Graduate Students: Angela Marion, started 8/07. Thesis project: Phylogenetic relationships within gerrhonotine anguids using DNA sequence data from multiple nuclear loci. Currently working as a research research data analyst at Pennsylvania State University while she finishes her thesis. Peter Scott, started 8/08. Thesis project: Phylogeography and lineage diversification in the Baja California whiptail Aspidoscelis hyperythra. writing thesis; presently, PhD student at the University of Alabama. Elaine Klein, started 8/09. Thesis project: Phylogenetic relationships and lineage diversification among South Pacific skinks of the Emoia cyanura species group. Juli Goldenberg, started 8/10. Thesis project: Phylogeography and lineage diversification within rattlesnakes of the Crotalus viridis species complex of western North America. Current Ph.D. Graduate Students: Dean Leavitt, started 8/04. SDSU/University of California-Davis joint doctoral program in Ecology. Dissertatioin project: Historical biogeography and lineage diversification in the Southwest: A test case using the widespread western banded gecko (Coleonyx variegatus). Andrew Gottscho, started 8/10. SDSU/University of California-Riverside joint doctoral program in Evolutionary Biology. Heather Heinz, started 8/11. SDSU/University of California-Riverside joint doctoral program in Evolutionary Biology. Current Undergraduate Students in the Lab: To be determined; check back later Research Associates: Ted Townsend, PhD (Washington University): I am an evolutionary biologist interested in phylogenetic analysis methods, historical biogeography, and studies of geographic variation in morphology and ecology in a phylogenetic context. I have a strong related interest in the development of nuclear loci for phylogenetic analyses. My work centers mainly on reptiles and amphibians. Some past and current projects include the systematics and biogeography of chameleons at various hierarchical levels, higher-level frog relationships, and (here at SDSU) participation in the NSF-funded Tree of Life project for squamate reptiles (snakes and lizards) as a postdoc in Tod Reeder’s lab. For this project, I have worked with Scott Kelley and his student Eric Alegre to develop and implement a bioinformatic approach to the discovery of novel nuclear protein-coding loci for phylogenetic analyses of squamates. We have successfully developed over 25 new genes thus far that appear to be very useful, and our goal is 50 genes total. I have recently begun work with Tod Reeder and Bradford Hollingsworth (San Diego Natural History Museum) on a bioinventory/multispecies biogeographical analysis of the herpetofauna of southern California, including the Baja Peninsula. One outcome of this project will be a Museum-sponsored online herpetological atlas of the study area. And, of course, there should be lots of fieldwork in Baja! I love fieldwork, and have incorporated it into most of my projects. Over the course of my graduate school and postdoc careers I have had the good fortune to work in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, South Africa, Madagascar, and Indonesia (Sulawesi). As an adjunct lecturer here at SDSU, I have taught Genetics and Evolution, (Biology 352), and I am currently (Fall ’08) teaching this class along with the Vertebrate section of Organismal Biology (Bio 201B). The Dearly Departed (aka Former M.S. Graduate Students): Adam Leache, 5/00. "Phylogenetic relationships within the Sceloporus undulatus species group (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae) based on mitochondrial DNA sequence data." Obtained PhD at University of California-Berkeley; former postdoctoral fellow at University of California-Davis; presently, Assistant Curator and Professor at Burke Museum, University of Washington. William McJilton, 5/00. "Phylogenetic analysis of Amniota using the single copy nuclear genes c-myc and c-mos." Presently, biology instructor at San Diego Community College. Jonathan Richmond, 5/00. "Evolution of the Eumeces skiltonianus species group and intraspecific phylogeography of Eumeces gilberti." Obtained PhD at University of Connecticut; former postdoctoral associate at Cornell University; presently, research geneticist at USGS Western Ecological Research Center. Brian Yang, 5/01. "Molecular phylogenetics and evolution of the Malagasy-Comoroan phyllodactyle geckos, Genus Paroedura." Jennifer Reichert, 12/01. "Molecular systematics of the limb-reduced Australian scincid lizards of the Genus Hemiergis." Darren Burton, 5/02 (co-advised with Michael Simpson). "Phylogeny, evolution of morphology, and taxonomic implications for the genus Dudley (Crassulaceae) based on nrDNA ITS sequence data." Dustin Wood, 5/02. "Intraspecific phylogeny of the rosy boa (Charina trivirgata): Implications for phylogeography, taxonomy, and conservation.". Presently, research geneticist at USGS Western Ecological Research Center. Amanda Rychel, 12/02 (co-advised with Annalisa Berta). "Molecular phylogeny of the Mysticeti (Mammalia: Cetacea) based on mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data." Obtained PhD at University of Washington; former postdoctoral fellow at University of Washington; presently, Senior Research Associate at Stratos Genomics. Lars Bell, 5/03. "Maternal ancestry and phylogeography of the unisexual Plateau Striped Whiptail (Aspidoscelis velox)." Carrie Fyler, 12/03 (co-advised with Annalisa Berta). “Molecular phylogeny of monachine seals (Pinnipedia: Phocidae) with implications for their origin and diversification.” Obtained PhD at University of Connecticut; presently, postdoctoral fellow at University of Connecticut. Andy Pece, 5/04. “Phylogeography of the Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes), with implications for the historical biogeography of southwestern North American deserts.” Matt Brandley, 5/05. “Partitioned Bayesian analyses, partition choice, and the phylogenetic relationships of scincid lizards.” Obtained PhD at University of California-Berkeley; former Donnelly Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University; presently postdoctoral fellow at University of Sydney, Australia. Nathan Marshal, 12/06. “Phylogeography of the Western Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris): The phylogenetic affinities of A. t.maxima and its implications for the historical biogeography of southern Baja California.” Presently, biology teacher at private high school academy in Utah. Nick Crawford, 8/07 "Microsatellites in cnemidophorine lizards: Their utility in investigating the landscape genetics of the Plateau Striped Whiptail (Aspidoscelis velox complex)." Presently, Boston University PhD student. Mersee Madison-Villar, 8/07. "Conservation genetics of the southern clade of the Western Spadefoot (Spea hammondii)." Completed PhD at University of Texas-Arlington (2011). Obtained PhD at University of Texas-Arlington; presently NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at Colorado State University. Ben Lowe, 5/08. "Phylogeography of Urosaurus graciosus (Phrynosomatidae): Investigating the effects of the Colorado River on gene flow in a diminutive arboreal lizard." Presently, University of Minnesota PhD student. Michael Anguiana, 12/08. “Effects of fragmentation on the spatial ecology of the California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae).” Co-advised with Dr. Jay Diffendorfer. Anny Peralta, 8/09. "Historical demography and lineage diversification of the Ornate Tree Lizard Urosaurus ornatus." Jared Grummer, 8/11. "Testing species limits and inferring the species tree for the Sceloporus scalaris species group (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae)." Presently, University of Washington PhD student. |