Rich Kliman's Cedar Crest College Home Page

Research in the Kliman Lab

The research in our lab involves evolutionary and ecological genetics. One research area deals with the causes of variation in synonymous codon usage within and among genes in Drosophila, human papillomaviruses and Cryptococcus. Work on Drosophila (and other Diptera), supported by NIH, is in collaboration with Dr. Mohamed Noor at Duke University. Work on Cryptococcus, with Dr. Amy Reese as co-PI, is supported by The National Human Genome Research Institute of NIH. These projects involve extensive lab work (e.g., DNA sequencing (including sequencing of whole genomes), quantitative real-time PCR) and statistical analysis. Other projects, also supported by the NHGRI grant, involve analysis of complete genomes to test hypotheses regarding the evolution of codon usage; these are best-suited for students with good computer skills and an interest in bioinformatics.

A second research area deals with the demographics and the population/ecological genetics of queen conch, Strombus gigas (right; photo by Judy Malitsch), in Belize, in collaboration with Dr. John Cigliano. The research combines field work in Belize (e.g., population surveys and tagging), laboratory work (mainly DNA sequencing), and statistical analysis. This research program has been supported by The Conservation International Foundation, and also received support for field work in 2006-2008 from Earthwatch and in 2008 The Oceanic Society. Earthwatch is currently recruiting volunteers for 2010; more information can be found at these links for adult teams and the teen team.

A third research area, also in collaboration with Dr. Mohamed Noor, deals with the population genetics of the scuttle fly, Megaselia scalarais.

To carry out research in our lab, you should have an interest in evolution, ecology and/or conservation. Full-time summer research opportunities at Cedar Crest and at Duke (housing and stipend provided) are available in Summer 2010 for students who have successfully completed the relevant sophomore-year course work and who intend to do thesis research in our lab.

The philosophy of our lab is simple: the purpose of research is to contribute new knowledge to one's discipline. Undergraduate research also trains students to develop critical thinking, troubleshooting, technical and teamwork skills. Because new knowledge is of little value if it is not shared with other scholars in one's discipline, students in the lab are strongly encouraged to present their findings at regional and major research conferences, and to publish when appropriate.

Current Members of the Lab

Beth Bachert, Cryptococcus codon usage and gene expression.
Chelsey Bihlear, scuttle fly population genetics.
Kaleigh Fernald, Cryptococcus codon usage and gene expression.
Alexis Hart, queen conch population genetics.
Jennifer Klecha, Cryptococcus codon usage and population genetics.
Jennifer Schwab, Cryptococcus codon usage and gene expression.
Brandi Strauch, queen conch population genetics.

Chelsey, Alexis, Beth, Rich, Jennifer K., Kaleigh, Brandi. Jennifer S. will be in the next photo taken.

Graduates of the Lab

Rebecca Anewalt (Cedar Crest College), codon bias in Cryptococcus neoformans.
Cheryl Bernal (Cedar Crest College), codon usage in humans and viruses.
Katelyn Burgett (Cedar Crest College), Drosophila population genetics: codon bias.
Cristy Botens (Cedar Crest College), codon usage in bacteria.
Emily Dittmar (Cedar Crest College), queen conch population genetics.
Melissa Donigan (Cedar Crest College), queen conch population genetics.
Amanda Gilbert (Cedar Crest College), Drosophila population genetics.
Nicole Hess (Cedar Crest College), Drosophila population genetics: gene flow.
Ashley Henry (Cedar Crest College), codon usage in eukaryotes.
Rebecca Hild (Cedar Crest College), within-gene codon usage trends in eukaryotes.
Jeremy Goodin (Radford University), Drosophila population genetics.
Naheelah Irving (Kean University), yeast codon usage.
Aelén Mabillé (Cedar Crest College), Drosophila population genetics: codon bias.
Shannon McDermott (Cedar Crest College), Drosophila population genetics: isolation model testing.
Kimberly Miede (Cedar Crest College), bacteria/phage codon usage coevolution.
Paula Miller (Cedar Crest College), queen conch population genetics.
Rose Moran (Cedar Crest College), Drosophila population genetics.
Matthew Petrus (Radford University), Drosophila population genetics.
Mindy Sandridge (Cedar Crest College), queen conch population genetics.
Maria Santiago (Kean University), yeast codon usage.
Christine Seay (Radford University), Drosophila quantitative genetics.
Jennifer Shaffer (Cedar Crest College), Drosophila population genetics: codon bias.
Danielle Skinner (Cedar Crest College), queen conch population genetics.
Elizabeth Smith (Cedar Crest College), Drosophila population genetics.
Melanie Smith (Cedar Crest College), bioinformatics: evolution of human papillomaviruses.
Ted Stevens (Radford University), Drosophila population genetics.
Ashley Tillette (Cedar Crest College), genomics: influences on codon usage.
Nino Velasco (Kean University), Drosophila population genetics.
Rachel Vereneck (Cedar Crest College), queen conch population genetics.