Evolution in Changing Environments
This summer, the Phifer-Rixey lab is going on the road! We are collecting house mice from urban areas in Richmond, Philadelphia, and New York City along with mice from rural areas outside these cities. Interested in having us collect mice from your property?
Contact us: wewantmice@gmail.com
The Biology Department honors outstanding performance by a transfer student each year. This year, Caroline Reverendo has been selected for her stellar academic record, her engagement in research, and her service to the Department as a supplemental instructor. Congratulations, Caroline!
Dr. Phifer-Rixey was awarded an NSF CAREER award to study urbanization in house mice. Read more here: https://www.monmouth.edu/news/phifer-rixey-recognized-by-national-science-foundation-with-1-1-million-grant/
Erin presented her GIS analysis helping identify sampling locations for our new project on urbanization in house mice as part of the Hawk Talk Symposium. https://www.monmouth.edu/provost/student-scholarship-2022/wednesday/
Dr. Phifer-Rixey has a new review paper out in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. This paper focuses on the use of individual-based eco-evolutionary models in marine systems experiencing climate change. This collaborative paper came about as part of the NSF RCN Evolution in Changing Seas and Dr. Phifer-Rixey’s contributions were supported by her Faculty Fellowship with the Urban Coast Institute. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2021.2006
Caroline, Julia, Delaney, and Nico presented their research at the 2021 symposium. Check out Delaney here: https://www.monmouth.edu/uci/2021/08/13/watch-summer-research-students-present-projects/
Along with Skyler Post and Nicholas Pillarella, Jesse was named a Chi Eta Awardee by the Monmouth University chapter of TriBeta. The biology honor society selects students each year that embody the spirit of service to their chapter and field as well as excellence in research and academics. Congratulations, Jesse!
On April 8th, we held a virtual event to discuss the complicated relationship between genetics, genomics, and racism. We considered both the legacy of past genetic technologies and the future impacts of new genomic initiatives. Our distinguished speakers, Krystal Tsosie and Gabriela Corona Valencia discussed their research and Dr. Kiameesha Evans, MPH, MCHES, from the Department of Health and Physical Education moderated the conversation.
Krystal Tsosie, MPH, MA, PhD Candidate, Vanderbilt University (she/her/hers), is already a leader in her field. Her voice has been critical in shaping policy on genomics initiatives in indigenous communities, particularly with respect to the ethics of consent and data sovereignty. Her research integrates both efforts to improve health outcomes for indigenous communities through genomics and efforts to address the ethics of obtaining and using genomic data.
Gabriela Corona Valencia, MA, PhD Candidate, UCLA (she/her/hers) is currently a doctoral candidate at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA. Her dissertation research highlights the ways in which eugenicist ideologies continue to influence sex education curricula and initiatives that are implemented across South and East Los Angeles.
This event was organized by Dr. Megan Phifer-Rixey, Biology, and Dr. Jen McGovern, Political Science and Sociology, with support from student coordinator Cameron Gaines and the students of BY216-H1 Introduction to Genetics and SO101-H1 Introduction to Sociology. This program was made possible in part by the Diversity Innovation Grant program, which is supported by the Office of the Provost and the Intercultural Center and support from the School of Science and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Emily Tumbaco and Lorena Mancino received a very competitive award and cash prize for their virtual poster at the School of Science Annual Student Research Conference. Their project, Statistical Analysis of Diet and Location Impact on House Mice Growth, will help us move forward with a critical project in the lab. Congratulations, Emily and Lorena!!