Project Grant 2209399

This National Science Foundation Project Grant award of $138,000 provides funding from April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025 to support an NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology. The fellowship funding will support research and training focused on investigating the genomics, heat shock proteins, and climate change adaptations of desert-adapted asiloid fly species.

The fellow will sequence genomes of asiloid fly groups to create a foundational dataset for further genomic studies. Identification and characterization of heat shock proteins in asiloid flies will provide insight into desert adaptation. Using biogeography, distribution modeling, and prior research results, the fellow will also examine potential climate change impacts on asiloid flies and other desert insect groups.

The award supports the NSF's Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074), advancing biological knowledge and understanding of major national issues. Training will include genome sequencing, bioinformatics, heat shock protein analysis, and collections-based research skills like museomics and cybertaxonomy. Outreach efforts will provide undergraduate research opportunities and public science communication. This project aims to broaden participation in biology through mentoring and research experiences for students from underrepresented groups.