NACE Competencies

Clear and concise communication throughout the organization of complex genetic and morphological data on the genus Dissosteira into a coherent, visually engaging poster that highlighted key findings and implications.

Tailored my explanations throughout the presentation to suit diverse audiences, ranging from professors and fellow students to non-specialist attendees.

Throughout the project, I had strong communication with graduate students in the lab about different analyses and with fellow undergraduates in the lab to ensure I was effectively communicating my findings. 

I became proficient in various bioinformatics tools, including Sequencer and R for sequence alignment and the construction of phylogenetic trees. 

Created digital visualizations using software such as RStudio and Excel to generate clear, accurate graphics that conveyed complex data efficiently. 

I quickly adapted to new platforms and tools, including those for data analysis and poster formatting, to meet deadlines and maintain high standards. 

Ensured ethical use of technology by properly citing sources, maintaining data integrity, and following Miami University guidlines for research transparency and presentation. 

I applied critical thinking and inclusive reasoning through the interpretation of COII gene sequences and morphology data to assess whether certain grasshopper populations represent distinct species. 

Integrated diverse information sources (COII sequences, morphological analyses, current population data) to understand species boundaries, avoiding confirmation bias through continual comparison of data sets. 

Thoroughly researched the relationship of Dissosteira to other taxa to ensure the accuracy of generated phylogenetic trees for genetic analysis of current species boundaries.