WHAT WE DO |
Our research centers on primate biodiversity and conservation. The main goals are to (1) document primate biodiversity, (2) explore the dynamics of diversification, such as the ecological and evolutionary driving factors that shape diversification in time and space, and (3) understand how primates respond to human-induced environmental and climatic change.
Our work includes a mix of field/lab-based research, and I invite students with interests in either or both. Field work has been mostly conducted in Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, and Madagascar. Students will have the opportunity to join existing projects or to develop new projects in primate biodiversity, phylogeny, bioinformatics, and conservation. I would be happy to discuss potential Ph.D. student training opportunities in the group. See Research and Publications for more information about the research done in the lab. |
POSITIONS AVAILABLE |
MA POSITION IN PRIMATE PHYLOGENETICS
I'm currently looking for a MA student to join our NSF-funded project "Phylogenomic analyses of lorisiform primates using museum collections" (BSC - 1926105). The project will investigate the phylogenetic history of lorisiform primates (galagos, pottos, and lorises) combining genome-wide data and fossil information. If interested in knowing more about the project and our MA program at UTSA, please contact me by email. Important info
PHD POSITION IN ANTHROPOLOGY
|
Postdocs
Potential postdoctoral researchers with external funding are welcome to contact me. Current graduate students that are searching for postdoctoral positions may apply for funding through the National Science Foundation. These programs are highly competitive and include those housed in the Social and Behavioral Sciences and Biological Sciences Directorates, as well as the Division of Earth Sciences. Also, UMass’s Graduate Program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology program sometimes has a postdoctoral position available. The details of this highly competitive Darwin Fellowship can be found here. For members of under-represented populations, the Ford Foundation offers a one-year postdoctoral fellowship. A good resource for postdoc funding opportunities can be found here.
Potential postdoctoral researchers with external funding are welcome to contact me. Current graduate students that are searching for postdoctoral positions may apply for funding through the National Science Foundation. These programs are highly competitive and include those housed in the Social and Behavioral Sciences and Biological Sciences Directorates, as well as the Division of Earth Sciences. Also, UMass’s Graduate Program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology program sometimes has a postdoctoral position available. The details of this highly competitive Darwin Fellowship can be found here. For members of under-represented populations, the Ford Foundation offers a one-year postdoctoral fellowship. A good resource for postdoc funding opportunities can be found here.
CURRENT PROJECTS |
1) PHYLOGENOMICS AND MUSEOMICS OF LORISIFORM PRIMATES
By combining full genome sequencing and captured data from museum specimens, this project is aimed at better understanding the evolutionary history of lorisiform primates, including their species diversity, biogeography and time of diversification. 2) EVOLUTION OF BODY WITHIN STREPSIRHINE PRIMATES Strepsirhine primates show a very high level of body mass diversity spanning from the little mouse lemurs (30-60g) to recently extinct lemurs reaching almost 160kg! Multiple events of dwarfism, or reduction in body mass, have been identified within this primate group. By using phylogenetic comparative methods and genomic approaches, we are aiming at understanding patterns and causes of dwarfism within strespirhines. 3) EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL SYSTEMS IN PRIMATES Primates exhibit great diversity in social systems, including solitary, pair- and group-living species (uni- or multi-male). Comparative analyses yielded conflicting results about the number and direction of evolutionary transitions among these social systems as well as about the selective pressures favoring the evolution of pair- living, in particular. In this project, in collaboration with Dr. Peter Kappeler at the German Primate Center (DPZ), we explore the effects of different model assumptions, phylogenies and sample sizes on the reconstruction of primate social evolution. 4) POPULATION AND CONSERVATION GENOMICS OF EASTERN AFRICAN GALAGOS This project is aimed at comparing phylogeography and genetic diversity across population of greater (Otolemur) and dwarf (Paragalago) galagos in Easter Africa. Double Digest Restriction Associated DNA (ddRAD) will be used to investigate the population genomics of two sympatric species of galagos. |
LOCATION |
The lab is located at UTSA in the beautiful city of San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio, the seventh largest city in the USA, is rich in history, arts, and great food. Founded almost 300 years ago, the city offers great cultural opportunities, including the iconic River walk, the Alamo (recently declared UNESCO's World Heritage site, together with the other missions). San Antonio is also home to the five-time NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. Culture, climate, and food make San Antonio one of the best cities in the USA.
|
HOW TO APPLY |
If you’re interested in applying, get in touch by sending your CV and a brief summary of your research interests to [email protected]. All prospective students will have to formally apply through the UTSA Graduate Program. You can find more information about our Masters programs here. UTSA encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Regardless of ethnicity, nationality, age, gender identity and expression, sexuality, sex orientation, or ability, you will be welcome in the lab.
|