Projects

Project Description

Our lab focuses on how competitive and mutualistic interactions affect the evolution and coexistence of species. Our goal is to test theoretical models explaining the maintenance of genetic variation. Specifically, we work on insect pathogenic nematodes and their bacterial symbionts. We are examining to what degree these partners are exclusive or exchanging using both experimental approaches and field surveys.

Technology or Computational Component

Students will be involved in statistical analysis of their data using techniques such as proportional hazards regression, logistic regression and analyses of covariance via SAS or R. Additionally, they will be involved in phylogenetic analysis of sequence data, designing primers, and analyzing quantitative PCR data.