Research updates

meganjudkins
Mar 19, 2016
2 min read

This has been a busy month or so in the lab. We were able to call well over 1 million single nucleotide polymorphisms for both eagle species, so now we are working to parse down that dataset into 50,000 for each species. I am excited because we will be able to look at both coding and noncoding SNPs, thereby allowing us to determine the proper management units and things like adaptation utilizing the genome. The golden eagle manuscript we submitted to the Raptor Research Foundation is in the review process so we should be hearing about that soon. I also found out I received a grant from the Intertribal Timber Council for $4,000 to help fund my eagle research. These monies will go to help fund the final chapter of my dissertation. I am so thankful to them.

I have had a few speaking engagements recently. I spoke at the Oklahoma Biological Survey meeting in Norman about my research. On a slightly different subject, I spoke at the National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association’s conference on the importance of social media in rehabilitation. Both speaking engagements went well and I received positive feedback at each venue.

I have been working on developing a member spotlight for the Raptor Research Foundation's facebook page for members of the Early Career Raptor Researcher's group. Select spotlights will also be featured in the newsletter Wingspan. I also became a member of the Early Career Raptor Researcher's committee. I am so happy to be working so much for such a great organization and great group of people.

The next couple of weeks will be filled with lab work as I try to finish up the bear genetics project I am working on for ODWC. I will also be jumping at every email I get in hopes it will be about fellowship and grant applications I put in late last year.