石榴直播

KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 21, 2024

A 石榴直播 researcher recently earned a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to study the evolution of salamanders鈥� behavioral habits in urban streams, which will in turn fund more undergraduate research opportunities for 石榴直播 students.

Assistant professor of biology Todd Pierson has received a three-year, $380,238 grant from the NSF through a program called (BRC-BIO). The program is designed to broaden research participation at minority-serving universities and Carnegie-designated R2 institutions like 石榴直播.

鈥淎t 石榴直播 we have nearly 48,000 students, and tons of them are interested in doing research,鈥� said Pierson, who teaches in the College of Science and Mathematics. 鈥淭his study will consist of a team research class of about 15 students each fall so that they're getting something that鈥檚 a more authentic, full research experience. That鈥檚 the goal.鈥�

Pierson joined 石榴直播鈥檚 Department of Ecological, Evolutionary and Organismal Biology in 2020, bringing with him expertise in salamanders. These tiny amphibians can found by the thousands in Atlanta-area waterways and provide examples in genetic and behavioral variation in a relatively small geographical area.

鈥淓ven within a species, every individual looks and acts differently, and some of the most interesting questions in evolutionary biology have to do with where that variation comes from, and how it persists in a population,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 hard to trace because traits have many genetic components related, and a bunch of environmental variables that affect it. But in other cases, we have a relatively straightforward genetic determinant of these traits, and we can trace it and better understand how it changes across time and space.鈥�

The study focuses on the two-lined salamanders, an ecologically crucial amphibian commonly found in Atlanta-area waterways. This species has two kinds of males鈥攁 male that seeks out mates on land and a male that guards mates in the water鈥攁nd Pierson said his researchers will survey several streams and creeks around Atlanta to determine the proportions of each kind of male relative to the total population.

The Pierson lab seeks answers to key questions, including the evolutionary history of salamanders, the reproductive behavior of salamanders, and the conservation of salamanders and their habitat. The study will take into account factors such as stream size, water temperature, and the presence of pollutants among other things. In other words, it will create a true experience in field research for undergraduate students.

鈥淔or these students, the whole function of their semester-long class is to conduct a research project together,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he students will have autonomy and creativity in determining the course of their studies, which is what we try to do at 石榴直播.鈥�

鈥� By Dave Shelles

Photos by Matt Yung

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 石榴直播 offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.