James Clugston
PhD student, joint with the University of Edinburgh
James will study the genetic diversity of three cycad species -using next generation DNA sequencing (NGS) technology. This technology yields thousands of genetic markers as opposed to tens of markers obtained using more traditional methods. The DNA markers will be used to identify the genetic differences between populations, and he is using microscopy to determine how the populations differ from each other in terms of their structural features. The overarching aim is to create a conservation strategy to best preserve natural populations of Cycas.
PhD student, joint with the University of Edinburgh
James will study the genetic diversity of three cycad species -using next generation DNA sequencing (NGS) technology. This technology yields thousands of genetic markers as opposed to tens of markers obtained using more traditional methods. The DNA markers will be used to identify the genetic differences between populations, and he is using microscopy to determine how the populations differ from each other in terms of their structural features. The overarching aim is to create a conservation strategy to best preserve natural populations of Cycas.
Christopher Donovan
Honours student, joint with Sydney University
Christopher is working on Cycas seemannii (Cycadaceae), a culturally significant cycad native to several south-western Pacific islands. Some populations are threatened by habitat loss. Seed dispersal between the islands is limited, and inbreeding within populations is high. He is using morphology of whole leaves, micromorphology of leaf cuticles and genome sequencing to compare the different populations and investigate whether this species should be classified as one or multiple taxa. This research will allow for the proper classification of this species, and will aid in its conservation. It will also have applications in understanding biodiversity and evolutionary processes on islands in general.
Honours student, joint with Sydney University
Christopher is working on Cycas seemannii (Cycadaceae), a culturally significant cycad native to several south-western Pacific islands. Some populations are threatened by habitat loss. Seed dispersal between the islands is limited, and inbreeding within populations is high. He is using morphology of whole leaves, micromorphology of leaf cuticles and genome sequencing to compare the different populations and investigate whether this species should be classified as one or multiple taxa. This research will allow for the proper classification of this species, and will aid in its conservation. It will also have applications in understanding biodiversity and evolutionary processes on islands in general.
Ani Lee
Former undergraduate at the University of California, Berkeley
Ani worked on the phylogenetic diversity of Australian conifers for her honors thesis. She worked with Nathalie from May-August 2012 to gather data for her thesis.
Former undergraduate at the University of California, Berkeley
Ani worked on the phylogenetic diversity of Australian conifers for her honors thesis. She worked with Nathalie from May-August 2012 to gather data for her thesis.
Jessica Gardner
Undergraduate at the University of New South Wales
Jess was a former volunteer in the lab and then completed a third year project on barcoding and using DNA for taxonomic ID of ferns in the genus "Lastreopsis".
Undergraduate at the University of New South Wales
Jess was a former volunteer in the lab and then completed a third year project on barcoding and using DNA for taxonomic ID of ferns in the genus "Lastreopsis".
Liz Dowding
Undergraduate at the University of New South Wales
Liz was a volunteer in the lab. She have helped with organizing field notes, writing signage for the RBG, and collecting plant flower specimens for research.
Undergraduate at the University of New South Wales
Liz was a volunteer in the lab. She have helped with organizing field notes, writing signage for the RBG, and collecting plant flower specimens for research.
