A particular interest of mine is student support. SICB provides very generous student support at a number of levels, and I would work to diversify that support from within our Division. Even small awards, such as book certificates, poster awards, or research stipends, can make an enormous difference in student confidence. Finally, the many Divisions within SICB provide a forum for researchers with very diverse interests to discuss and exchange ideas. I believe that student representation and involvement in such exchanges will strengthen not only the Division of Evolutionary Developmental Biology, but also the Society as a whole.
Urochordates occupy a critical evolutionary position as non-vertebrate chordates.
Therefore the study of urochordate metamorphosis may provide insights into the origins of both chordates and vertebrates. I am employing a number of molecular techniques to gain further insight into urochordate metamorphic signaling. I have carried out a series of subtractive hybridizations aimed at probing the expression of genes immediately prior to and after metamorphosis. These genes have well described roles in cell signaling, the immune response, and transcriptional activity. By characterizing the expression and function of these genes in urochordate metamorphosis we are beginning to gain valuable insight into the role of these genes in urochordates as well as the evolution of developmental pathways within the chordates.