REU: Systematics and Evolutionary Biology: A Continuing Program of Undergraduate Research at the American Museum of Natural History, New York City

American Museum Natural History, New York NY

Investigators

Abstract

Systematics and evolution are central concepts in biological disciplines. Knowledge of the manner in which species are related to each other and the mechanisms by which they become distributed across the globe provide a framework (in evolutionary trees for example) for organizing and communicating ideas and advances, for example in terms of biodiversity or comparative genomics. Our program provides students with a coherent, hands-on introduction to research in systematics and comparative evolutionary biology, and serves a critical role in attracting, inspiring and educating undergraduate students in the fundamental importance of these biological disciplines. Students enrolled in the AMNH REU program have at their disposal world-class collections of fishes, dinosaurs, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and invertebrates, as well as cutting edge research facilities in the Molecular Genomics laboratories, and the museum's research library. Project titles, while all concerned with the basic role of evolution and systematics, span a range of topics as broad as those being investigated by the museum's curators, including the use of genetic, histological, anatomical and paleontological data types. The American Museum of Natural History is an inspirational place for young scientists to work, and an REU program is a wonderful way for us to bring a critical mass of bright young scholars into our departments and expose them to the challenge and excitement of an original research program.