"Genomic architecture of a genetically assimilated seasonal color pattern" 

Invited Speaker: Karin van der Burg, Clemson University

Dr. van der Burg is a postdoctoral researcher working in the lab of Dr. James Lewis at Clemson University. Prior to that, she completed her PhD working with Dr. Robert Reed at Cornell University, and held a brief postdoctoral position with Dr. Katie Marshall at the University of British Columbia before acquiring an independent NSF postdoctoral fellowship that she brought to Clemson. 

Dr. van der Burg’s research focuses on the genetic and physiological mechanisms that allow insects to respond to their environment. Specifically, she studied the genetic basis of a wing color polyphenism in seasonally plastic butterflies. Currently, she’s working on disentangling the genetic and physiological processes underlying overwintering mechanisms in moths.

Her research program combines multiple technically advanced methods, including endocrine assays, genetic mapping, functional genomics and gene editing to identify and verify the genetic and physiological mechanisms that underlie seasonal plasticity in butterflies and moths. 

Hosted by Chris Parkinson.