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Nicola L. Chamberlain, Ph.D.
FAS Center for Systems Biology
Harvard University
Northwest Lab Room 457.10
52 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: (617) 496-0078
Fax: (617) 495-2196
Email: |
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| Education |
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2008-Present: Harvard University, USA –Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the lab of Dr. Marcus Kronforst.
2004-2007: University of Exeter, UK (2004-2006 at University of Bath, UK) PhD.
Supervisors: Professor Richard ffrench-Constant and Dr Tom Tregenza.
Thesis title: The Molecular Basis of Heliconius Wing Patterns.
Funded by a BBSRC Doctoral Training Grant.
2002-2003: University of Leeds, UK. Master of Research in Biodiversity and Conservation.
Supervisors: Dr Stephen G. Compton and Professor Roger K. Butlin.
Thesis projects: Habitat preferences and distribution of the UKBAP listed Aspen Leaf Rolling Weevil Byctiscus populi (L.1758) and;
Evaluating the species status of Protapion ryei (Blackburn, 1874): A genetic approach using the mitochondrial COI region.
Funded by an English Nature (now called Natural England) MRes project grant.
1999-2002: University of Leeds, UK. Bachelor of Science in Biology with Honors.
Dissertation: The effects of insect mutualism on the growth of dipterocarp seedlings in regenerating rainforest in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. |
| Research |
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I am interested in the genetic basis of speciation and diversification, and in particular, the effect of single major genes which control adaptive traits. Much of my research to date has focused on the identification of adaptive genes in organisms which do not yet have sequenced genomes. Primarily, I have used the Heliconius butterfly system to study these important questions in evolution.
Heliconius is a genus of neotropical butterflies which are well known for their mimicry and warning coloration. They themselves are distasteful, so are classified as Müllerian mimics, and their color patterns confer protection from educated predators. Recently, the genus underwent an adaptive radiation in wing color patterns due to selection for mimicry. Previous work has shown that few genes control the variety of color patterns in this genus, but they remain unidentified. However, as they are implicated in potentially rapid speciation events they are therefore of great interest to evolutionary biologists. I am interested in elucidating the identity and exact functions of these key loci (See main Lab page for more general info on the Heliconius system).
As well as being interested in identifying genes which contribute to differences in color and pattern in this system I am also interested in genes which control major behavioral traits (such as mate preference or migration) which can lead to reproductive isolation or confer adaptive advantage. I am carrying out this work in the Heliconius system, and also more recently in studying migratory behavior in Monarch butterflies.
In my spare time I like to get out and go mountain biking, surfing, camping and hiking and kayaking. I also love to go watch the Red Sox and the Bruins. |
| Field Work |
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Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, July-Sept 2001. Undergraduate dissertation research
Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Hillingdon (London), UK, June-August 2002. MRes research project
Kruger National Park, South Africa, April 2002. MRes Biodiversity and Conservation program at Leeds University
Ecuador May 2008. H. cydno alithea project
Boston Harbor Islands summer 2008 and 2009. Monarch and ladybug projects
Ecuador Sept-Nov 2008. H. cydno alithea mate preference work |
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