| Affiliations: | STEM Research Leadership |
| Project Leader: | Alexandra Howard, Ph.D. alexandra.howard@ag.tamu.edu Ecology and Conservation Biology |
| Faculty Mentor: | A. Michelle Lawing, Ph.D. |
| Meeting Times: | TBA |
|
Team Size:
|
5 |
| Open Spots: | 0 |
|
Special Opportunities:
|
As an undergraduate research assistant, you will have the opportunity to engage with and learn about lizard morphology, as part of a multinational NSF grant. There may also be opportunities for you to present your research at local or regional conferences and, for long-term undergraduate researchers, opportunities for publication.
|
|
Team Needs:
|
We are seeking up to 4 undergraduate assistants who are reliable, motivated, and interested in learning more about morphology in lizards. Previous biological coursework is beneficial as we expect students to be able to understand common biological terms. A minimum of 3-6 hours per week will be expected of all students depending on their program. This research program will run from June 15th to Aug 15th, and students will be expected to meet once a week for group meeting. You will be expected to be detail-oriented, well organized, and open to learning new analytical skills and software. Desirable skills include: previous knowledge of R, an interest in herpetology or evolution, a knowledge of basic anatomy, and competency in computers. |
|
Description:
|
This research will allow students the opportunity to participate in projects examining lizard morphology. The research is examining the morphology of Sceloporus lizards, a highly diverse genus of lizards found across North America and Mexico. Students will analyse the pelvises of different species in order to answer questions about how morphology varies with ecology, body size, and sex. The primary tasks you will be involved in include: (i) process and analyze CT scans to create 3D models of lizard skeletons, (ii) identify individual lizards in scans, (iii) landmark specimens according to anatomical terms, (iv) data analysis in R. |