Research

  


Crotaphytus collaris collaris

 
Claytonia ozarkensis
 


Templeton Lab Rotation (completed)

"Optimizing microsatellite loci for Crotaphytus collaris collaris"

In the Fall of 2006, I worked with Jennifer Neuwald on the ongoing Ozarks Collared Lizard project. I worked to optimize several proposed microsatellite loci for this long-term population genetics study of a group of lizard populations post-fragmentation.

"Morphological and demographic change in a founder population of the eastern collared lizard"

In the Spring of 2007, I continued to work on the collared lizards project, this time analyzing six years of data following a founder event. Collared lizards had gone extinct due to fire suppression and loss of glade habitat in the Peck Ranch Conservation Area in southeastern Missouri. In the 1980s, several hand-picked individuals were released on Stegall Mountain following the reinstitution of a fire regime. As the area of controlled burns increased, glade habitat on nearby Thorny Mountain opened up, and several individuals were discovered there in 2001, where none had been before. I looked at morphological and demographic data collected on Stegall and Thorny individuals in the years following this event to see if any changes could be detected. We hypothesized that the low population size that has resulted in neutral allele frequency differences between the two mountains could also affect phenotype as measured by size characteristics. In addition, altered demographic pressures in the new region could impact hatchling sex ratios. We discovered that

Schaal Lab Rotation (current)

"Molecular Phylogeny of Claytonia ozarkensis"

Claytonia ozarkensis (Portulacaceae) is a recently described spring ephemeral found only in the Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma Ozarks. During my research rotation in the Schaal lab, I will collect samples from individuals in the field and sequence them in the lab. In doing so, I will determine if I can detect molecular divergence between C. ozarkensis and its closest relative.

   
   
 
Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

Ph.D. student, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO2006 - present
Rotation Advisor: Alan Templeton
Rotation Advisor: Barbara Schaal
Program: Ecology, Evolution and Population Biology
 
B.S. cum laude, Georgetown University, Biology1998 - 2002
Advisors: Martha Weiss (Georgetown U.) & Eric Nagy (U. Virginia)
Concentration: Ecology and Evolution
Minors: English and Environmental Science
 
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
 
Graduate research rotation, Washington UniversitySpring 2007
Advisor: Barbara Schaal
Project: “Molecular phylogeny of spring ephemeral, Claytonia ozarkensis.”
 

Graduate research rotation, Washington UniversityFall 2006
Advisor: Alan TempletonMentor: Jennifer Neuwald
Project: “Optimization of microsatellite loci for Crotaphytus collaris collaris, Collared Lizards
of the Missouri Ozarks.” 

Research Assistant, Georgetown University2005-2006
Principle Investigator: Matthew Hamilton
Project: “Paternity analysis of fragmented and non-fragmented populations of the Brazil Nut Tree,
Corythophora alta, in the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragmentation Project, Manaus, Brazil.” 

Field Assistant, Maya Research Project, BelizeSummer 2002
Principle Investigator: Timothy Beach (Georgetown)
Project: “Investigation of ancient Maya wetland agriculture, employing paleoecological research methods.”
 
Researcher, REU, Mountain Lake Biological StationSummer 2001
Advisors: Eric Nagy (U. Virginia) and Martha Weiss (Georgetown)
Project: “Effect of local light environment on invertebrate herbivory of seedlings of three tree species.”
 
Student, Field Semester Abroad, OTS, Costa RicaSpring 2001
Advisors: Evan Notman and Ana Cristina Villegas (Organization for Tropical Studies)
Projects: “Pollination implications of asynchronous protandry in Jacquinia nervosa.”
“The effect of varying canopy openness on herbivory of three understory species.”
 
TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Environmental Education
U.S. Peace Corps, Environmental Conservation Volunteer, Panama2002-2004
Lived and worked in a rural Panamanian village on the edge of a recently-established national park.
Taught environmentalstewardship and organic farming methods. Also collaborated with National
Parks Service to expand and map trails, andimprove environmental education opportunities for visitors

Teaching Assistant
Evolution, Washington UniversityFall 2007
TIP High School Field Biology Summer in Montana, Duke UniversitySummer 2002
E.M.T. training course, Georgetown UniversitySpring 2002
Intro to Environmental Science, Georgetown UniversityFall 2001
Forest Ecology, Georgetown UniversityFall 2000

Science Outreach
Future Trek, St. Louis Science CenterDec 2006
Presented to five groups of sixth grade students on “Being a Field Biologist” during a careers in science day

Women in Science Day, Washington UniversityNov 2006
Presented to three groups of high school women on opportunities for women in science. Organized portions
of this annual event.

PROFESSIONAL ENRICHMENT
Honors and Awards
Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation2007-2010
Graduate Research Fellowship, Washington University2006-2007
Superior rating in Spanish proficiency, Foreign Service Institute2004
John Carroll Scholar, Georgetown University1998-2002
Summer field research award in archaeology, Maya Research Project, Belize,
Georgetown School of Foreign Service2002
REU Award, Mountain Lake Biological Station, UVA, National Science Foundation2001 

Research Interests
The convergence of evolutionary principles and conservation goals. 
 
Relevant Coursework
Seminars on Rarity and Genomics, Evolutionary Processes, Evolutionary Genetics, Genetics, Conservation Biology, Research Methods in Tropical Biology, Plant-Animal Interactions, Environmental Policy of the Tropics, Environmental Restoration and Reconstruction, Paleoecology of the Maya Wetlands
 
Professional Societies and Memberships
National Association for Women in Science
St. Louis Chapter of the National Association for Women in Science
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

Extracurricular Work Experience
Volunteer translator at La Clinica, St. Louis2006
Translating at an accounting office for Latino immigrants2004
Wrangler at the H F Bar Ranch, Saddlestring, Wyoming2004

 
   













Mossy Bluff Trail, Greer's Ferry Dam, AR




Peace Corps, Panama















HF Bar Ranch, WY
   
   
   
   
 

Contact Information

  

 
 


Genevieve K. Croft
Ph.D. rotation student, Barbara Schaal (current)

Department of Biology
Washington University
Campus Box 1137
One Brookings Drive
Saint Louis, MO  63130

Phone: 314-935-7230
Fax: 314-935-4432
Email: croft *at* wustl.edu

 
   

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The Templeton Lab
Washington University in St. Louis

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