The National Science Foundation (NSF) Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) awarded a $343,638 Project Grant to Rutgers, The State University for the "Collaborative Research: The Albatross Re-Collection Project for a Century of Genomic Change in the Tropics". This 3-year research project, starting on July 1, 2024, will compare historical and modern fish samples from the Philippines to understand how species like the blue sprat have adapted in response to fishing, habitat loss, and other environmental changes over the past century. The project will 1) assemble high-quality genomes to study the genetic architecture of the blue sprat, 2) resequence historical and modern genomes to identify loci under selection, and 3) measure morphology and growth to test the functional importance of genomic variation. The research findings can help elucidate the mechanisms of rapid evolutionary adaptation in species facing environmental stressors. The project will also support paid research internships for students and host workshops to build international exchange with the Philippines.
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