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. Jared Grummer, started 8/08. Thesis project: Molecular population biology and species limits in Sceloporus scalaris. I am first and foremost a biologist, but within biology, my interests lie mainly in the branch of evolutionary biology. As of right now, I am more specifically interested in questions that can be answered with modern genetic and bioinformatic techniques, questions concerned with the geographical distributions and diversity of taxa (i.e. phylogeography). To study such phylo- and biogeographic questions, my group of interest is Reptilia (including birds). Members of this group (particularly non-avian reptiles) display a large diversity in strategies of nearly every aspect of life history, from parity mode to locomotory mode to parental behavior. Within phylogeography, I am most interested in insularized systems (islands, mountain tops, and other isolated habitats). For my master’s thesis, I plan on studying isolated lizard populations in the Madrean Archipelago (an area containing many “sky islands”) of northern Mexico and southwestern USA. The specific details of the thesis project is yet to be determined, but I plan to be using the spiny lizard Sceloporus scalaris as the focal taxon of the study. After my master’s thesis (if all goes to plan), I will be conducting the fieldwork for my doctoral dissertation in Southeast Asia (keeping my fingers crossed that the export situation improves in Indonesia!). Again, depending on many circumstances, I hope to be studying in Southeast Asia during my career as a professor after I have completed all of my post-graduate studies. This area is rich in islands (and therefore isolated populations), and as a consequence, offers itself as a rich “petri dish” to conduct many evolutionary studies. Although reptiles are my preferred study taxon, I consider myself a nascent naturalist and appreciate every aspect of the natural world, from animals to plants to invertebrates to fungi. I personally believe that it is from this perspective that one gains the deepest appreciation for nature, and thus, a deeper connection with the natural world. See my personal photo albums. Peter Scott, started 8/08. Thesis project: Phylogeography and lineage diversification in the Baja California whiptail Aspidoscelis hyperythra. Elaine Klein, started 8/09. Thesis project: Interested in addressing population and evolutionary biology oriented questions in South Pacific skinks of the genus Emoia. 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). 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." Completed PhD at University of California-Berkeley (2008); currently postdoctoral associate at University of California-Davis. 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." Completed PhD at University of Connecticut (2006); postdoctoral experience at Cornell University (2006-2008); presently, United States Geological Survey (USGS). 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." Currently a lecturer in Department of Biology, San Diego State University. Dustin Wood, 5/02. "Intraspecific phylogeny of the rosy boa (Charina trivirgata): Implications for phylogeography, taxonomy, and conservation.". Presently, United States Geological Survey (USGS). Amanda Rychel, 12/02 (co-advised with Annalisa Berta). "Molecular phylogeny of the Mysticeti (Mammalia: Cetacea) based on mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data." Presently, University of Washington PhD student. 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.” Presently, University of Connecticut PhD student. 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.” Completed PhD at University of California-Berkeley (2008); currently postdoctoral associate at Yale University. 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.” 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)." Presently, University of Texas-Arlington PhD student. 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." |