April 10th, 2007, Dr. Andrew Whitehead
April 10th, 2007
Dr. Andrew Whitehead
Louisiana State University, U.S.A.
Evolutionary and Ecological functional genomics in Killfish
Abstract
Recent advances in genomic technologies have enabled exploration of the mechanistic underpinnings of organism-environment interactions. Genomes integrate cues from, respond to, and are shaped by the external environment, and these interactions occur at both physiological timescales (individual acclimation) and evolutionary timescales (genetic adaptation). Our lab uses evolutionary comparative approaches to identify the genomic underpinnings of sensitivity of tolerance to stressors, including natural stressors (temperature, salinity) and anthropogenic stressors (contaminants). We are interested in discovering the functional genomic bases of physiological responses, and the genomic basis of variation in physiological stress tolerance.
Curriculum vitae
2003 - 2005 Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Marine Genomics Center, University of Miami, FL. "Fundulus evolutionary functional genomics research". Advisor: Dr. Douglas Crawford.
2003 PhD
Genetic and Molecular Ecotoxicology Laboratory, University of California, Davis. "Pesticide contamination of Central Valley (California) watersheds: Biomarker and population genetic effects in native resident fish"”. Advisor: Dr. Susan Anderson.
1996 Honors, BSc
Specialized Honors in Environmental Toxicology. University of Guelph, Ontario. Academic advisor: Dr. Keith Solomon.
Research Interests
- Environmental Genomics: I study the genetics underlying acclimation and adaptation in natural populations within a phylogenetic context. Functional genomics approaches use microarray technology, coupled with phylogenetic analyses and physiological measures of stress, to evaluate the role of variation in gene expression in acclimation and adaptation of aquatic organisms.
- Ecotoxicology: I conduct multi-endpoint integrated laboratory and field studies to examine effects of contaminant mixtures on natural populations.
