From October 6th to October 14th, 2022, I attended a workshop in Drøbak, Norway, entitled Population Genetics of Polyploids. This workshop was timely and highly relevant to my dissertation work, which involves modeling as well as the use of genomic data to understand evolutionary processes in polyploid populations of flowering plants. This workshop was taught by some of the leading experts in this subfield on population genetics of polyploidy and aimed to facilitate development of new methodology within our subfield.
This workshop included demonstrations of applications of commonly used methods, as well as group-based projects on various research topics. For my group project, we investigated the distribution of an autopolyploid-specific meiosis error, double reduction, across chromosomes of Arabidopsis arenosa. My group from the workshop is currently working on a manuscript based on this project.
Through this workshop, I forged new collaborations through our group project and formed new connections with the upcoming generation of polyploidy researchers. The most exciting aspect of this workshop was being surrounded by others who were also studying population genetics of polyploids and were at the same career stage as me. It was a wonderful experience, and I greatly appreciate the Florida Museum of Natural History providing this opportunity.
Michelle Gaynor is a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology. Gaynor is advised by Dr. Douglas Soltis, Distinguished Professor of Biology, and Dr. Pamela Soltis, Curator of Molecular Systematics and Evolutionary Genetics here at the Florida Museum.
The 2022 Fall Student Travel Awards are supported by the FLMNH Department of Natural History, including funds from the Louis C. and Jane Gapenski Endowed Fellowship. If you would like to help support this fund for future student awards, please go to:
Louis C. and Jane Gapenski Endowed Fellowship