This $1,069,764 Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Integrative Activities (IA) program supports research into the genome complexity and evolution of the Amoebozoa, a diverse group of single-cell eukaryotes. The project, conducted by Spelman College, aims to investigate the genetic innovations and genomic features that have contributed to the remarkable morphological and behavioral diversity observed within the Amoebozoa. The research will integrate comparative genomics and cytology to test hypotheses about the evolutionary dynamics of amoeboid structures and the ancestral origins of amoeboid life forms. In addition to the core research, the award includes interdisciplinary training initiatives, particularly targeting African American women undergraduate students, to foster interest in evolutionary research and provide research opportunities. The project also involves outreach efforts to enhance science education at the K-12 level and promote STEM engagement through the use of data and samples collected during the research.