NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology FY 2010

这一行动为2010财年的NSF少数民族博士后研究奖学金提供资金。该研究金支持研究员在东道实验室的研究和培训计划，研究员还提出了扩大生物学参与的计划。Brandi Coyner研究和培训计划的标题是“Neotoma fuscipes物种复合体的景观遗传学：评估景观变量作为杂交的预隔离机制。“这项研究的主办机构是内华达州里诺大学，赞助科学家是马乔里·马托克博士。杂交发生的地理区域长期以来一直吸引着生态学和进化科学的生物学家，并提供了研究物种形成的独特机会。河流和山脉等物理障碍，与交配季节和配偶选择有关的行为差异，以及杂交个体的适应性和生存率降低，都是阻止杂交并导致物种形成的机制。因此，景观特征有可能有助于解释杂交模式。已经提出了四个模型来解释稳定的混合区的维护，每个模型预测的差异，在混合与纯种的健身和分布的纯和混合的个人在整个景观。景观遗传学利用地理信息系统（GIS）和空间统计的力量来测试基于环境的混合模型。本研究采用景观遗传学的方法来评估景观变化作为一种潜在的机制，防止或鼓励杂交。此外，本研究建议评估的四个模型，解释发生在该地区的暗脚woodrats（Neotoma fuscipes）和大耳woodrats（Neotoma macrotis）hybrid.Training目标，本研究包括扩大电流和学习新的实验室和分析技能的稳定的杂交区。这项研究的更广泛影响包括指导本科生和研究生。此外，推广包括通过赞助科学家的分子在路上（莫尔）计划将研究带入高中课堂。该计划教授先进的实验室和分析技术，以少数民族，在风险高中学生装备这些学生在科学中代表性不足，追求科学学位。

This action funds an NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for FY 2010. The fellowship supports a research and training plan in a host laboratory for the Fellow who also presents a plan to broaden participation in biology. The title of the research and training plan for this fellowship to Brandi Coyner is "Landscape genetics of the Neotoma fuscipes species complex: evaluation of landscape variables as pre-isolating mechanisms of hybridization." The host institution for this research is the University of Nevada, Reno and the sponsoring scientist is Dr. Marjorie MatocqGeographic areas where hybridization occurs have long fascinated biologists in the ecological and evolutionary sciences and offer unique opportunities to study speciation. Physical barriers such as rivers and mountain ranges, behavioral differences related to mating season and mate choice, and reduced fitness and survival of hybrid individuals are mechanisms that can prevent hybridization and lead to speciation. Therefore, landscape characteristics have the potential to contribute to and explain patterns of hybridization. Four models have been proposed to explain the maintenance of stable hybrid zones, and each model predicts differences in hybrid versus purebred fitness and the distribution of pure and hybrid individuals across the landscape. Landscape genetics utilizes the power of geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial statistics to test environmentally-based hybrid models. This study uses a landscape genetics approach to evaluate landscape variation as a potential mechanism preventing or encouraging hybridization. Additionally, this study proposes to evaluate the four models explaining the occurrence of stable hybrid zones in the area where dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes) and big-eared woodrats (Neotoma macrotis) hybridize.Training objectives of this research include expanding current and learning new laboratory and analysis skills. Broader impacts of this research include mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, outreach includes taking the research into high school classrooms through the sponsoring scientist's Molecules On The Road (MOR) program. This program teaches advanced laboratory and analysis techniques to minority, at-risk high school students to equip those students underrepresented in science to pursue scientific degrees.