We’re proud to announce that Jacob Burkhart was the recipient of the annual TWA scholarship from the University of Missouri to fund his ongoing research on ringed salamanders, an endemic Ozark amphibian species that is of conservation concern.

“The TWA scholarship fund was established to fund students who are performing research in areas which will impact environmental issues.  Students [are] selected based on academic accomplishments as well as their research interests.” – University of Missouri System

Jacob’s research investigates the source-sink metapopulation dynamics of Ambystoma annulatum (an Ozark endemic species and species of concern in Missouri) and Ambystoma maculatum at Fort Leonard Wood. The goal of his research project is to study pond larval dynamics, juvenile dispersal, source-sink dynamics, and genetic structure to better understand of the distribution and life history of these relatively unstudied species.

Congratulations to Jake and his ongoing research success!

Our accomplished undergrads are at it again! This time Chelsea and Ben both presented posters at Mizzou’s annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Spring Forum on Tuesday April 26th, 2016 in the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center.

Mizzou’s annual Undergraduate Research & Creative Achievements Forum showcases student research and scholarly and creative achievements to the Mizzou community. MU undergraduates from any major and all academic levels are eligible to present their work. – Department of Undergraduate Research at the University of Missouri.

Here in the Eggert Lab, we are extremely proud of our undergrads and all the hard work they do in conducting and presenting their research!

Chelsea’s research  investigates the evolutionary history of Lorisidae primates (Arctocebus, Loris, Nycticebus, and Perodicticus) and its relationship to genes that
influence coat color and patterning.

Ben’s research focuses on the historic genetic diversity of short leaf pine, Missouri’s only native pine tree, across its distribution. Ben works with the Missouri Department of Conservation to determine if current management practices have properly captured the historic genetic diversity.

Congratulations to the lab PI and our research advisor, Dr. Lori Eggert, on being named the new Director of Graduate Studies! Following the retirement of Dr. Steve Alexander, Dr. Eggert will assume the role of Director this summer.

The director of graduate studies (DGS) plays at least two crucial, overarching roles in the development and maintenance of the highest quality of graduate education. Directors are responsible for maintaining overall academic integrity and promoting graduate student success.  – Office of Research and Graduate Studies.

Additional information on the Director of graduate studies can be found here!

The Grants-in-Aid Committee of the American Society of Mammalogists has finished its selection of student research proposals and our very own Kris Budd was one of those selected for funding!

The American society of Mammalogists grants in aid of research are awards made available by the Board of Directors of the Society in amounts not to exceed $1500.00 (US) to graduate and upper-level undergraduate students who are members of the Society at the time of application. Awards primarily will be for support of field or laboratory work in any area of mammalogy, or for the purchase of supplies and small items of equipment related to such research. – The American Society of Mammalogists

Kris’ research focuses on the population structure of the Asian elephant throughout the habitat range in Southeast Asia with a primary emphasis on the People’s Democratic Republic of Lao (Laos PDR or Laos) and Cambodia. Kris aims to use population genetics to aid in management decisions in this area.

To learn more about Kris and her research click here!

Our wonderful undergrads, Chelsea Titus and Ben Hendrickson presented their research at Life Science Week 2016 at the University of Missouri.

“Life Sciences Week is a university-wide event that celebrates life sciences research performed by undergraduate, graduate, professional students, faculty and staff across MU’s life sciences colleges.” – University of Missouri

Chelsea’s research  investigates the evolutionary history of Lorisidae primates (Arctocebus, Loris, Nycticebus, and Perodicticus) and its relationship to genes that influence coat color and patterning.

Ben’s research focuses on the historic genetic diversity of short leaf pine, Missouri’s only native pine tree, across its distribution. Ben works with the Missouri Department of Conservation to determine if current management practices have properly captured the historic genetic diversity.

If you missed their presentations today feel free to visit them at Undergraduate Creative Research Forum on April 26th 2016 in the Bond Life Sciences Center. Both Ben and Chelsea will be showing their research, and the event is open to the public.

Today the 2016 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) awardees were announced, and our very own Kris Budd was among the those offered the fellowship!  

“The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based Master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions.

Fellows share in the prestige and opportunities that become available when they are selected. Fellows benefit from a three-year annual stipend of $34,000 along with a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees (paid to the institution), opportunities for international research and professional development, and the freedom to conduct their own research at any accredited U.S. institution of graduate education they choose.” – From the NSF GRFP website 

Kris is extremely excited about being selected for this honor and acknowledges she couldn’t have done it without the tremendous support from the Eggert Lab and the University of Missouri!

To see the entire list of 2016 Award Offers click here

Our undergraduate researcher, Chelsea Titus,  was in Jefferson City, MO on Tuesday March 4th 2016 to present her research at Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol!

“The purpose of this event is to demonstrate to lawmakers in Jefferson City the unique opportunities undergraduate students have to participate with faculty in research at the University of Missouri.  Many lawmakers do not differentiate between regional colleges and public research universities, and this opportunity is meant to showcase the undergraduate researchers and help make the distinction.  This event also underscores higher education’s role in developing educated citizens and preparing a work force with the necessary skills to further the economic growth of the state.” – From the University of Missouri office of undergraduate research.

Chelsea’s research  investigates the evolutionary history of Lorisidae primates (Arctocebus, Loris, Nycticebus, andPerodicticus) and its relationship to genes that influence coat color and patterning.To learn more about Chelsea and her ongoing research activities click here!

We at the Eggert lab are so proud of Chelsea and her accomplishments in her research!

Our PREP (Post-baccalaurate Research Education Program) Scholar, David Vasquez Jr., will be joining the University of Georgia’s new Interdisciplinary Disease Ecology Across Scales PhD program in Fall 2016! He’ll be joining the first cohort of this innovative new program.

“UGA (University of Georgia) is my dream school and I am going to work with Vanessa Ezenwa and Andrew Park who do amazing disease ecology work and are people I’ve aspired to work with for several years.” – David

We’re all very proud of David’s accomplishments and know that he deserves this amazing opportunity! We have enjoyed having you as a part of the Eggert Lab, and we’ll all be sad to see you leave, but we know we’ll have a fantastic colleague at the University of Georgia! Congratulations David! 

To learn more about David’s new program and to follow his research in the future, Click Here!

We’re so happy to announce that the Eggert Lab was awarded 2 Sigma Xi Grants this year! Both Kris Budd with her preliminary study on the  “Population Fragmentation of Asian Elephants in Laos” and Chelsea Titus with her project on “Resolving the evolutionary history of Lorisidae (Arctocebus, Loris, Nycticebus, Perodicticus) through morphology, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA and novel candidate genes” were funded by the Sigma Xi grants-in-aid of research this year!

See all recipients of the October 15th cycle of Sigma Xi here. Three Sigma Xi grants came to the University of Missouri this cycle, two from the Eggert Lab!

Chelsea was also accepted to present her previous research findings at the Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol of Missouri, and at the joint meeting of the International Primatological Society and the American Society of Primatologists (IPSAPS) congress in Chicago, Illinois this year!

Continue to check-in for more updates about the lab!

Here at the Eggert Lab we take our door decorating competitions very seriously! As you can see Santa’s little helpers are very busy conducting PCR!