Project Grant 2208950

This National Science Foundation project grant award of $414,000 provides funding from September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025 to support a postdoctoral fellowship in biology. The fellowship will fund research under the Biological Sciences federal grant program (CFDA 47.074) to investigate evolutionary mechanisms that maintain genomic divergence and facilitate local adaptation in gray wolves.

The fellow will analyze approximately 1,000 gray wolf genome sequences combined with environmental data to identify historical and ecological factors influencing wolf population genomic structure worldwide. The research will also evaluate evidence for mechanisms maintaining genomic divergence and distinguish genetic sources facilitating adaptation to new environments. In addition to advancing scientific understanding of climate change impacts on species, the fellowship provides early career training opportunities for researchers in Pakistan and other countries. Findings on wolf conservation genetics have implications for data-deficient and endangered wolf populations. Broader impacts include mentorship and workshops conducted by the fellow in Pakistan and other nations.