O: Complete and defend the dissertation
KR1: Complete the dissertation writing
KR2: Defend the dissertation
KR3: Finish the WB analysis and write short reports/ manuscript
O: Integrate circadian gene expression, locomotor activity rhythms, and reprodutive state to characterize differences in functional circadian architecture between diapausing and non-diapausing Culex mosquitoes.
KR1: Complete RT-qPCR timeseries analysis of core clock genes cyc, clk, per, tim, cry1, cry2, pdp1, vrille, and clock output neuropeptide pdf at ZT1, 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21.
KR2: Complete activity monitoring and follicle cell measurement of Culex pipiens (buckeye) and Culex quinquefasciatus (bruiser) reared under 9:15 LD (18°C), 12:12 LD (18°C & 25°C), and 15:9 LD (18°C).
R3: Begin drafting manuscript for publication in Journal of Genes, Brains, and Behavior.
Bonus KR: Complete preliminary exams.
O: Histone Post-Translational Modifications (hPTMs) as Epigenetic Switches for Diapause and Longevity in the Mosquito Culex pipiens
KR1: Complete ChIP-qPCR for eight genes, finalize results, and begin drafting the manuscript.
KR2: Optimize concentrations of five specific antibodies to detect histone (H3 and H4) acetylation at key lysine residues (K8, K9, K16, K20, K27) in fat body and ovarian tissues of diapause (D) and non-diapause (ND) Culex pipiens.
KR3: Perform both traditional and automated Western blot analyses of fat body and ovarian tissue samples from D and ND females collected at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 days post-eclosion, using all optimized antibodies.
O: Small-RNA Sequencing of Culex pipiens ovaries and fat bodies in Diapause and Non-Diapause Mosquitoes
KR1: Optimize rearing methods for the successful establishment of an Ixodes scapularis colony
KR2: Collect RNA samples for small-RNA sequencing for both diapausing and non-diapausing 7-day ovaries and fat bodies to send off to Novogene for sequencing
KR3: Complete data analysis for small-RNA sequencing on diapausing and non-diapausing ovaries and fat bodies