From jessica.petersen unl.edu Tue Apr 29 10:02:42 2014
From: "Jessica Petersen" <jessica.petersenunl.edu>
Postmaster: submission approved
To: Multiple Recipients of <angenmapanimalgenome.org>
Subject: MS/PhD Opportunities in Animal Genetics at the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2014 10:02:42 -0500
New research funding and recent faculty additions in the Animal Science
Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln opened several
opportunities for MS/PhD assistantships in Molecular, Quantitative and
Theoretical Genetics. The successful candidates will have access to
large, unique, highly characterized UNL populations of cattle, swine and
mice. Opportunities to collaborate with the US Meat Animal Research
Center (US-MARC) scientists using their large phenotyped populations are
also available.
The Animal Genetics faculty at UNL includes:
Daniel Ciobanu, Assistant Professor, Molecular Genetics (dciobanu2unl.edu)
Ron Lewis, Professor, Animal Genetics and Genomics (rlewis5unl.edu)
Gota Morota, Assistant Professor, Theoretical Quantitative Geneticist
(beginning August 2014)
Merlyn Nielsen, Wagner Professor, Animal Genetics (mnielsen1unl.edu)
Jessica Petersen, Assistant Professor, Animal Functional Genomics
(jessica.petersenunl.edu)
Matt Spangler, Associate Professor, Quantitative Genetics and
Genomics/Beef Extension (mspangler2unl.edu)
The Animal Genetics faculty includes also an active group of Emeritus
faculty including two Morrison Award recipients, the most prestigious
award in the American Society of Animal Science, Dr. Rodger Johnson
(rjohnson5unl.edu) and Dr. L. Dale Van Vleck, (dvan-vleck1unl.edu).
Opportunities for graduate students include:
Animal genetics and genomics (Dr. Petersen):
- Research assistantships are available in animal genetics and genomics
with focus upon mapping health and production traits using high-density
SNP arrays, whole-genome sequencing, and gene expression data in
livestock (potential projects focus on beef cattle, sheep, and horse).
In addition to interacting with a highly diverse and talented faculty at
the University of Nebraska, the successful candidate(s) will have the
opportunity to work with scientists from the USDA Meat Animal Research
Center. Candidates should have a BS or MS degree in biology, genetics,
animal science, or related field, a strong interest in animal genetics
and genomics, some prior laboratory experience, a good work ethic, and a
strong history of academic success. Please contact Dr. Jessica Petersen
(jessica.petersenunl.edu) with questions or interest.
Swine molecular genetics (Dr. Ciobanu):
- Graduate student research assistantships are available in the area of
swine disease resistance and sow reproductive longevity. The successful
applicant will be involved in a multi-institutional research project
aimed at identifying genes and DNA markers associated with resistance
against major swine viral pathogens and sow fertility. The student will
be involved in the collection of routine tissues and data from UNL farm,
from disease challenges, will perform molecular testing of immune
parameters, gene expression profiling, high-density genotyping and
advanced statistical genomics analyses. There are opportunities to work
closely with a group of reproductive physiologists and geneticists from
US-MARC, immunologists, virologists and pathologists from University of
Nebraska-Lincoln as well as with scientists from other Academic and
Governmental laboratories and major pig breeding organizations.
Candidates should have a BS and/or MS degree in Animal Science with a
strong background and interest in Molecular Genetics and Statistical
Genomics. Questions about the research program can be addressed to Dr.
Daniel Ciobanu, email: dciobanu2unl.edu.
Quantitative genetics and genomics (Dr. Lewis):
Research assistantships are available focused on two main themes: (i)
defining pragmatic strategies to improve the reliability of genetic
evaluation, and thereby enhancing selection response, in livestock
species; and, (ii) understanding how animals, changed through artificial
selection, are influenced by and interact with their environment. The
research program involves a mixture of genetic theory, simulation and
experiments, with collaborations nationally (e.g., US-MARC) and
internationally (e.g., UK, Norway). Specific areas of study include: (i)
enhancing the reliability of genetic evaluations in ruminant livestock by
developing strategies to ensure strong genetic links (connectedness)
across-farms; (ii) assessing genetic sensitivities to nutritional
constraints and disease challenges in long-term divergent selection lines
of chickens and mice; and, (iii) predicting intake and diet selection in
grazing cattle to improve the efficiency of cow-calf systems. Students
will have opportunities to be engaged in the amalgamation of genetic
theory and stochastic simulation, in experimental design, and in the
collection and analysis of phenotypic and genomic data. Candidates should
have an advanced degree (BS or MS, depending on entry level) in the
agricultural and life sciences or in computational biology, with strong
background and interest in statistical genetics and genomics. Questions
about the research program can be addressed to Dr. Ron Lewis, email:
rmlewis5unl.edu.
Quantitative genetics and genomics (Dr. Spangler)
Research assistantships are available focused on enhancing genetic
evaluation programs in beef cattle and swine either by investigating the
development of genetic/genomic predictions for new traits or the
refinement of methodologies for the incorporation of genomic information
into genetic evaluation systems. Projects range from pragmatic evaluation
and implementation of genetic selection tools and methods to genome-wide
association studies for novel phenotypes (eg. climatic stress, rumen
micriobiome, etc.) including the quantification of genotype by
environmental interactions. Graduate students will have the opportunity
to work closely with scientists at the US Meat Animal Research Center,
faculty in the department of Statistics at UNL, and industry
organizations. Candidates should have an advanced degree (BS or MS,
depending on entry level) in the agricultural and life sciences or in
computational biology, with strong background and interest in statistical
genetics and genomics. Questions about the research program can be
addressed to Dr. Matt Spangler, email: mspangler2unl.edu
University of Nebraska is located in Lincoln, which offers all the
amenities of a midsize city, a wealth of outdoor activities including an
intricate trails network as well as many community events. The University
of Nebraska is committed to a pluralistic campus through affirmative
action and equal opportunity. Details about the application process can
be found at http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/
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