• What is your area of research or scholarship? Research in evolutionary biology focusing on the question of why sexual reproduction is so common, despite being more costly than asexual reproduction.
• In simple terms, why does this research matter? This research is important to uncovering the effects that sexual reproduction has on our genomes and how they evolve over time. By understanding the importance of how processes involved in sexual reproduction play a role in removing harmful mutations, keeping our genome sizes constant, and maintaining genetic variation we can make progress on a long-standing unanswered question in biology.
• What is your degree program and expected graduate date? B.S. Biology, Evolution Track; Spring 2018
• Hometown: Elsa, Tx
• Faculty mentor/advisor: Dr. Maurine Neiman
• What are your career goals? I aspire to receive my Ph.D. in Biology and one day have my own research lab, where I can train and mentor the next group of scientists.

Banner location: not on display—