Ewers named Alton Career Changers - Assistant genetics Fellow professors receive $1 million NSF Awards

The 2013 Kirby and Jan Alton Gradu- Andrea Sweigart and David Nel- two com- Tucker ate Fellowship was award by the Gradu- son, assistant professors in the genet- pounds are ate Affairs Committee to Christine Ew- ics department of the Franklin College different, ers. Christine earned this honor through of Arts and Sciences, each have been Nelson’s her recent publications and grant writ- awarded grants from the National Sci- research ing, student ence Foundation Faculty Early Career uncovered leadership, Development Program. a common and highly The five-year, $1 million grants sup- element: interdisciplin- port junior faculty who exemplify the both sig- ary research. role of teacher-scholars and the integra- nals con- Nelson As the Alton tion of education and research within trol plant Fellow she the context of the mission of their or- growth through the same genetic path- says, “I am ex- ganizations. way. tremely grate- Sweigart is an evolutionary biologist “The CAREER awards are among ful for the who studies quantitative genetics and the NSF’s most prestigious. They are Ewers Alton Fellow- the processes that give rise to biological designed to identify the best and bright- ship. It shows species, known as speciation. The grant est up-and-coming scientists,” said Allen me that the Genetics Department be- will support further research on hybrid Moore, professor and head of the Ge- lieves in my research and me. Moreover, sterility, a subject whose origins go back netics Department. “Our department meeting and talking with Dr. Kirby Al- to the time of Aristotle but which con- is thrilled to have two award recipients ton in person was very inspiring. The founded this year, which replicates our success in fellowship allowed me to focus on field- Tucker Darwin as 2012. work and working more closely with the it seemed to see Career page 5 undergraduate students in our lab - a run coun- mission close to Dr. Alton’s heart.” ter to his The Fellowship supports one out- concept standing senior graduate student for a of natural Genetics at georgia year. The award is funded by a generous selection. Volume 10 gift from Dr. Kirby Alton, who com- Sweigart has Spring 2014 pleted his Ph.D. in Genetics at UGA spent years in 1981. He serves on the board of the Sweigart collecting UGA Research Foundation. data on the Graduate Coordinator...... 2 genetic basis and evolution of hybrid Graduate News...... 2 sterility in Mimulus, an ecologically di- Head’s Note...... 3 Hoffman and verse genus of wildflowers found west Undergraduate Coordinator...... 3 Hamlin named of the Rocky Mountains. Alumni News...... 5 Nelson’s research focuses on how Friends of Genetics...... 6 Bishop Fellows plants sense different signals in their en- Become a Friend of Genetics...... 7 é vironment, specifically one set of com- Awards Honors...... 8 Jessica Hoffman and Jenna Hamlin pounds found in smoke that stimulate co-awarded the 2013 Linton and June seed germination after a fire, and an- Bishop Graduate Fellowship. Jessica is other class of compounds called strigo- Department of Genetics working in Dr. Promislow’s lab and Jen- lactones that control root architecture, The , Athens na is working in Dr. Arnold’s lab. shoot growth and stimulate interaction www.genetics.uga.edu with beneficial fungi in soil. While the see Bishops page 4 vol 10 spring 2014 2

graduate news ¦ graduate program coordinator It is difficult to The goal of a distillery is to separate chael Lynch (University of Indiana). identify the best a desired product from a jumbled mess, The impact fellow graduate students goals for a graduate program when we much like the goal of a Ph.D. program can have on the development of a sci- are so accustomed to success! This year, is to produce a highly trained scientist entist can’t be overlooked. Several as- two of our students – Jessica Hoffman from the jumbled mess that enters the pects of the Genetics Department and Elizabeth Lowry – were awarded program. The best qualities that the facilitate important discussions, camara- NSF doctoral dissertation improve- budding scientist has are purified, con- derie, support, and sometimes-even dis- ment grants. Of course this is a fantastic centrated, and then developed in a vari- course. For one, achievement, and evidence of the train- ety of ways. While the curriculum and many of us go ing that has gone into their development research components rigorously increase to conferences of a good project, a means to communi- the proof and quality of a graduate stu- together. Evolu- cate that project to the reviewers, and an dent, the environment of a department, tion and South- understanding of what it takes to make much like the type of barrel a whiskey eastern Popula- good science happen. And we had two is aged in, is crucial for the outcome. tion Ecology students last year with the same national These extra features of a graduate pro- and Evolution- recognition and exposure to their work, gram make a student unique and market- ary Genetics Conn and we have at this point a long-term able. (SEPEEG) were track record of success that leads to an One such feature is the development highly attended, expectation for such success. of communication skills. Genetics grad- and our gradu- This year we have had four of our uate students can meet an accomplished ate students did well with awards: Cait- past doctoral graduates – Jeff Ross- scientist virtually every week through the lin Conn won best talk and Matt Zuellig Ibarra, Judith Mank, Adam Jones, and departmental seminar series. This allows took home best poster. Roger Deal – visit to talk about the work us to practice interacting with scientists Many students participate in outreach they are doing as young faculty at some both within and outside our own disci- activities throughout Athens and the of the top universities in the world, and plines, and gives us ideas about the fu- surrounding area. A few of the many we are doing what we can to expose our ture—what we want to work on, where examples include a weekly plant sci- current graduate students to their ideas we want to do it, and with whom. We ence lesson initiative at Hilsman Middle and perseverance. We are always proud had several speakers this year that were School, judging in the Georgia Science of the training we provide to young sci- former UGA genetics Ph.D. students. and Engineering Fair, and a science proj- entists at UGA Genetics, and this year Among them were Jeffery Ross-Iberra, ect mentoring program at Colham Ferry one of our goals is improving the ex- Joe Williams, Judith Mank, Claude deP- Elementary. Every week we listen to and posure our program gets to applicants, amphillis and Rongfu Wang. Having the critique a different student’s research in and improving the recruitment of top- opportunity to meet with alumni who a student seminar course. We also have quality students for our program. have been successful is encouraging and been tasked with delving out depart- But the training that we provide goes helps put how we mental travel grant far beyond solid coursework and good are developing as funds amongst our- resources. It requires constant, and re- future investigators selves. A graduate peated, interaction. By enforcing an an- into perspective. student panel evalu- nual frequency of a student presenting We also have been ates applications for their work for all to see, and annually very lucky with our a competitive travel having a meeting with their committee, graduate student grant, which gives us and participating in informal seminar se- invited speakers for further experience ries regularly, we accomplish two things. departmental semi- in communicating First of all, what most people focus on nar. This year we and interpreting re- are the exciting new findings in a proj- were visited by Lee Frailey at Hilsman Middle School search; the winners, ect, what comes from a year of addition- Dyer (University in turn, get to have of Nevada, Reno), an enriching scien- see grad coordinator page 5 Adam Jones (Texas A&M University), tific adventure. These experiences allow and Joaquin Espinosa (University of us to learn from one another and shape Colorado). Next year will be another each other into collaborative scientists. Design: Christopher Ross, Susan White, Lacey Tench exciting series, as we will be visited by Now for the fun stuff, this year has Photographer: Darlene Strickland Allen Orr (University of Rochester), Eugene Koonin (NIH/NCBI), and Mi- see graduate page 4 Genetics at georgia 3 news ¦ undergraduate coordinator head’s note

Nineteen undergraduates and their Presentations at the Spring 2014 CURO As I come to the families attended our Spring 2013 gradu- symposium were given by Caroline end of my first 3-year ation celebration, and we were honored Blatcher, John Brunson, Joshua Chang, term as Head of De- to have Dr. Cornelia Bargmann (BS Megan Chesne, Sarah Cunningham, Vic- partment (has it really ‘81) as guest speaker. As a UGA un- toria DeLeo, Anquilla Deleveaux, Lau- been 3 years??), it is interesting to reflect dergraduate, Dr. Bargmann began her ren Dennison, Emily Fawcett, DeJuana on the accomplishments and changes research career in the labs of Drs. Wy- Ford, Austin Gar- that have occurred over this time. First att Anderson and Sidney Kushner. She ner, Philip Grayeski, and foremost, the Department of Ge- received a PhD from MIT and joined Devon Humphreys, netics is in great shape. We have a ter- the faculty of the University of Califor- Lisa Ishii, Piyush rific staff, talented researchers, engaged nia – San Francisco in 1991. Since 2004, Joshi, Nikhil Ka- course instructors, and transformational Dr. Bargmann has been at Rockefeller math, Francine Katz, educators. I think we are on an upward University, where she is the Torsten N. Kyung Min Ko, Ja- trajectory, and I’m delighted to be able Wiesel Professor and Head of the Lulu cob Kumro, Melissa to report all of the good news. and Anthony Wang Laboratory. Among Masserant, Jennifer Many of the Genetics office staff are her numerous awards, Dr. Bargmann has Pallansch, Hannah Neumann new, compared to when I arrived. Dar- been a Howard Hughes Medical Insti- Reiss, Brianna Stads- lene Strickland, Tina Weidemann, and tute investigator since 1995, was elected vold, Solomon Walker, Amy Webster, Cheryl Gantt-Nelson in the main of- to the National Academy of Sciences and Stephanie Wilding. Presentations at fice were here before me, but Cecily (fi- in 2003, received a regional and national meetings were by nance), Michelle (finance), Beverly (UG in Life Sciences in 2013, and co-chairs Austin Garner, Katharine Korunes, and education) and Lacey Tench (grants co- the BRAIN Initiative, a 12-year research Stephanie Wilding (National Conference ordinator) are new. Susan White has been program launched by President Obama. for Undergraduate Research); DeJuana in the department, but she has a differ- Dr. Bargmann is truly one of the most Ford and Andrea Walens (American As- ent job from when I arrived as the Grad- distinguished alumni of UGA, and she sociation for Research); Devon uate Secretary. Dave Brown remains as gave a fascinating and inspiring talk Humphreys (Southeastern Population our IT professional (and I wouldn’t trade about her journey as a scientist. Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics him for anyone), and Carmen Rodriguez The Cynthia Kenyon Outstanding conference and Evolution 2013); Ronke continues to provide support for the Un- Undergraduate Award was announced Olowojesiku (Emory University STEM dergraduate Laboratory courses. Beyond at the ceremony. This Research and Career Symposium), and the personnel, however, we have created annual award is named Stephanie Wilding (Society of Toxicol- a new atmosphere in the Department. in honor of another ogy). Rather than the typical “gatekeeper” role distinguished UGA Being included as a co-author of a for staff (telling people what can and alumnus and is based publication is a major achievement for cannot be done), the people in the office on achievements in aca- an undergraduate. Philip Grayeski, Amy see themselves as facilitators. Their job is demics, research, and Webster and three former students (Mi- to try and help you accomplish what you leadership. For only the chael Bray, Catherine Debban, and Erin want to get done. This philosophy ap- second time, the 2013 Giglio) are co-authors of papers from plies to support for students, faculty or Mitchell award was given to research at UGA. Spencer Grimm is co- other staff. Genetics remains a fantastic two students, Spencer author of a 3D interactive textbook. place to work. Mitchell and Drexel Neumann. Other research awards and recogni- The support staff is among the best During the last year, an unusually high tion for leadership were received by in the University, and they support one number of our undergraduates have Victoria DeLeo (CAES Undergradu- of the finest teaching and research units been accepted into competitive research ate Research Initiative grant), Devon at UGA. Our undergraduates continue programs and selected to give research Humphreys (Best Undergraduate Talk to achieve and graduate to exciting new presentations. Megan Chesne, Austin award, travel award to a national meet- areas. They clearly take advantage of be- Garner, Emily Fawcett, Jennifer Pal- ing, and Honorable Mention for an NSF ing at a major research university, and are lansch, and Stephanie Wilding received Graduate Research Fellowship), Nakul engaged in ongoing research projects in summer CURO fellowships. Katha- Talathi (William Moore Crane Leader- laboratories both within the Department rine Korunes, Phillip Ogea, and Andrea ship Scholarship), Brandon White (Stu- and in other life sciences departments Walens participated in summer programs dent Advisory Board for the Dean of on campus. At the recent CURO (Center at the U. of Wyoming, Columbia U., and Memorial Sloan Kettering, respectively. see undergrad page 5 see head’s page 6 vol 10 spring 2014 4

Hightower Award Bishops...from page 1 The Hightower Awards are funded by wise referred to as common yellow mon- After being awarded Jessica said, “I one of the earliest alumnae, Dr. Robin keyflowers. His research is to identify was extremely grateful to receive the Hightower. Hightower earned her PhD genes that have allowed these two spe- Bishop fellowship for the 2013-2014 ac- in Genetics at the University of Georgia cies to diverge form a common ances- ademic year. The award will enable me to in 1985. Starting in 2011, she decided to tor and become new species – helping to attend the Evolution conference in June give back and support future generations answer a question that Charles Darwin is 2014, where of UGA genetics students. Madhumati famous for asking “how do new species I will present Mukherjee and Matt Zuellig were named evolve?” Matt wrote to Dr. Hightower my research the 2013-2014 Robin Hightower Award thanking him by saying, “My research re- on determin- winners. Madhumati received this award quires me to genotype large numbers of ing how aging based on her work on “Elucidating the plants in order to identify genes involved is influenced role of CRL2LRR-1 in regulating Notch in the speciation process, which is an by different signaling in vulva expensive genetic and development” and Matt for his research: undertak- metabolic “The Evolutionary Genetics of Hybrid ing. The factors. Pre- Hoffman Lethality in Mimulus guttatus and M. na- Robin senting at this sutus.” Hightow- conference will allow me to improve my A memeber of Ed Kipreos' lab, er Award science communication skills and find Madhumati’s dissertation focuses on has helped new collaborators to work on future understanding the role of the cullin-2 to off- projects.” ring ubiquitin ligase (CRL2) and its sub- set some The Bishop Graduate Fellowship also strate recognition of these will benefit Jenna’s professional develop- subunit LRR-1 in costs and ment. She said, “This summer, I will be Zuellig regulating Notch has given presenting a chapter of my dissertation signaling in the me some at the Society for the Study of Evolution nematode model freedom in projects that I pursue within national meeting. Attending and present- system Caenorhab- Dr. Sweigart’s lab. Aside from a cer- ing at a conference is invaluable at this ditis elegans. The tain degree of financial independence, part of my career. Networking, while at a Hightower Award your wife’s award also forced me to conference, is one way to potentially dis- made possible think about important questions in my cuss new Mukherjee Madhumati’s trip field and compose a compelling argu- research to the 19th Inter- ment for why we should pursue one of avenues national C .elegans meeting in University those questions – an act that forced me and estab- of California, Los Angeles. Madhumati to think independently and outside the lish valu- said, “As a 3rd year doctoral candidate box. It is for both of those reasons that able pro- I was able to connect with eminent re- I want to thank you for your kind sup- fessional searchers in the C elegans field from port!” collabora- all over the world. Talking to them and tions. I am attending the various seminars broad- grateful for ened my understanding of my project graduate...from page 2 the oppor- Hamlin and gave me fresh new ideas that I have tunity the since implemented in my project. I am been a great one for intradepartmental Bishop fel- extremely grateful for the Hightower bonding. We had the traditional open- lowship will aid in my attendance at this award as it helped me expand my re- ing picnic, but since then we’ve orga- meeting. In addition, part of the funds search horizon, connect with geneticists nized football tailgating, a chili cook-off will allow me to attend a symposium to from all around the world and to present (dubbed “Chili con Carnival”), and to celebrate one of the leading population my research to the C. elegans commu- stick with our distillery theme, a depart- geneticists. This is a two-day intensive nity.” mental bar crawl. Our departmental course learning about new develop- Matt works in Andrea Sweigart’s lab, environment encourages us to become ments in the field of population genet- where he studies the evolutionary and sharp, articulate scientists, but also to ics. I am truly appreciative of the Bishop genetic basis of traits that contribute form the personal bonds that will aid us fellowship, as it will provide the means to reproductive isolation between two in our careers and beyond. for the betterment of my career.” closely related plant species, Mimulus Joe Groom and Megan Behringer gullatus and Mimulus nasutus – other- Genetics at georgia 5 undergrad...from page 3 Tyler Haeffs (BS ‘13) is interning as Robert Liebman (BS ’12) is attending a surgical assistant for Dr. Robert. M. medical school at the Medical College of the Franklin College), and Amy Web- Fryer, D.D.S. in Atlanta and will attend Georgia and will attend Harvard’s Pro- ster (Summer Research Program at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in gram in Neonatology’s Summer Student Max Planck Institute in Dresden, Ger- the fall of 2014. Research Program. many). Of note, Amy also received the Curtis Hen- Benjamin Ro- 2014 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, drix (BS ’13) is hde (BS ’13) is the most pres- attending medical a research tech- tigious under- school at Mercer alumni news nologist at St. Jude graduate sci- University. Children’s Hospi- ence honor in Grant Moody tal in Memphis. the US. This (BS ’13) is attending medical school at year, our de- the Medical College of Georgia. partment is one Webster Please send your news updates to Drexel Neumann (BS ’13) is a lab of the few to Lacey at [email protected] manager at Omni International in Nash- have three Goldwater scholarship recipi- ville. ents enrolled at the same time; Victoria DeLeo (2012), Philip Grayeski (2013), grad coordindator... and Amy Webster (2014). efficiently. But the success of our- stu from page 2 To date, 18 of the 2014 graduates dents comes from seeing the less excit- have been accepted to post-baccalaure- al work in the lab, or millions of next- ing parts over and over and over again, ate programs: Vinay Choksi and Anisha generation sequence reads, or a field just like learning a language or appren- Hegde (U. of Virginia), Philip Grayeski experiment. I think the second thing we ticing with a craftsperson. That means (U. of North Carolina – Chapel Hill), gain from seeing a project as it grows that the goal of our program, effectively, Nikhil Kamath (U. of Arkansas), Jen- and builds, and seeing it repeatedly, is a is to become fluent in the language and nifer Pallansch (Case Western Reserve chance to discuss the basic components ideas of genetic experiments, statistical U.), Kristine Sufcak and Stephanie Wild- again and again and again. analyses, and bioinformatic methods, far ing (Medical College of Georgia), and By the time a student leaves the De- beyond the limited goals of a disserta- Nakul Talathi (U. of Pennsylvania) will partment of Genetics, they should have tion. As long as we keep doing that well, enroll in medical school; Caitlin Austin seen more than a hundred varied pre- I figure we’ll keep having great success and Hailey Campbell (Emory U.), Dev- sentations of how genotypic data can be stories among our graduate students. on Humphreys (U. of Texas at Austin), used to determine whether there is lim- John Wares Katharine Korunes and Andrea Walens ited migration, or some form of adapta- (Duke U.), Khailee Marischuk and Katie tion, that separates individuals at differ- career...from page 1 VanDenHeuvel (U. of Wisconsin-Madi- ent locations on the map. They should son), Alyse Ragauskas (U. of Tennessee), have seen the results of innumerable and Caroline Thomsen (Virginia Com- In addition to being outstanding re- experiments that isolate the effect of ex- searchers, all four faculty have under- monwealth U.) will enroll in graduate cluding a component of a genetic path- programs; and Ronke Olowojesiku will graduate researchers in their laborato- way, and what it does to the develop- ries, thereby exposing our students to enroll in a Post-baccalaureate Intramural ment of an organism, or the enzymatic Research Training program (NIH). the very best evolutionary and molecular output of that pathway. That repetition genetics research,” he added. Our undergraduate program contin- is not mundane, it is practice. Similarly, ues to grow and prosper. Enrollment Sweigart and Nelson join Kelly Dyer when faculty interact with a project re- and Douglas Menke as recipients of the in our large courses (GENE3000 and peatedly through committee meetings, GENE3200) is at an all-time high and NSF CAREER award from the Genetics annual presentations, and so on, we gain Department since 2012. we have one of the fastest growing ma- in the ability to immediately sniff out jors in Franklin College. We also have a CAREER grants allow young faculty concerns with the data, the experimental members to solidify their research pro- new annual award for the Outstanding design, or the time that may be involved Thesis by a graduating major. Along grams and progress toward scholarly to resolve a project. publishing. The program includes an with the Kenyon award, this new award So it is a funny thing about training fu- reflects the high caliber of past, current, educational component, for which Nel- ture scientists: we put a lot of effort into son and Sweigart have teamed with oth- and future undergraduates in our depart- a curriculum that defines the state of the ment. Recipients of both 2014 awards, er UGA faculty to develop new courses art of genetic research - including cell and materials. along with accomplishments of the next signaling, gene interactions, dynamics of group of talented undergraduates, will Condensed from article by Alan Flurry, alleles through space and time, and how February 3, 2014, Columns.uga.edu be included in the next newsletter. to deal with gigabytes of genomic data Mary Bedell vol 10 spring 2014 6

head’s...from page 3 Friends of Genetics for Undergraduate Research Opportuni- Research productivity is impressive. ties) symposium, there were more Ge- In 2013, 26 faculty We proudly recognize alumni netics undergraduates participating than in the Department Tucker and friends who have supported any other department. This is amazing of Genetics pub- our academic programs from given we are nowhere near one of the lished 79 refereed March 31, 2013 to March largest departments! journal articles, 31, 2014. We are grateful for 7 book chapters, Research permeates the generosity of all of our all we do, from un- and 1 book (I’ve donors. If your name is listed dergraduate educa- excluded faculty tion to graduate ed- whose primary ap- incorrectly or is missing, please ucation to providing pointment is in an- e-mail [email protected] so that we and developing new other department). Kushner may properly acknowledge your Bedell knowledge for the Twenty-four faculty generosity. To make a gift to the US and the world. held funding for research from external department, please refer to the Our faculty is engaged in ensuring our or internal sources. Extramural funding gift form on page 7. Genetics courses are effective and excit- included grants from NIH, NSF, DOE, ing. We have a number of new courses Burroughs-Wellcome, Ellison, and oth- on the books, and the faculty that teach ers. Four PhD students graduated from Norman and Janice Alton our courses are constantly winning Genetics in 2013. Funding levels seem Wyatt and Margaret Anderson awards for their work. Mary Bedell joins to be rising in 2014, bucking the national Rodney Mauricio, Dave Hall and Norris trend. Our single biggest impediment to Michael and Alice Bender Armstrong as our latest winner of the research continues to be the shocking Benjamin C. Calhoun Sandy Beaver Award for outstanding in- state of research funding in the US, but struction. Norris Armstrong has raised I am pleased that we are far better than Mary E. Case the bar and been awarded the General an average department in this regard. R. W. and Sharyn Freyermuth Sandy Beaver Professorship. Norris, Donations will become more and more Jonathan Eggenschwiller and Brian important over time, and we appreciate Evelyn Garfinkel Condie all recently won awards from the all those who have contributed to the Garfinkel Rev. Trust Dtd Vice-President for Instruction to create Department and our research mission. new courses and opportunities for un- The lifeblood of the Department is David M. Geiser dergraduates. UGA Genetics does not the new faculty we hire. We have been Mark G. Goldstein stand still, and we are striving to provide joined by some outstanding assistant a world-class education for everyone. professors since I arrived. This year Jessica Kissinger Research continues to drive our in- (2014) Jeff Chen Allen J. Moore novation in teaching and our standing as joined us, work- one of the premier Genetics programs ing on epigenetics Daniel and Shelby Patrick in the world. Jeff Bennetzen was pre- and development. Somasekar Seshagiri sented the Lamar Bob Schmitz ar- Dodd Award in rec- rived in Septem- Stephen W. Starling Jr. ognition of his out- ber 2013, and has The Alton Foundation standing interna- already made an tional contributions Chen impact. Bob was Paul and Donna Truex to research. Sidney recently named Isaac J. Van Duys Kushner won this one of the “40-under-40” by Cell, the Bennetzen award last year, and most prestigious journal in molecular James D. Vinson Jr. I believe we are the . Tessa Andrews also joined us Joseph H. Williams Jr. only department that has back-to-back this year, arriving in August and inject- awardees. I was made a Distinguished ing enthusiasm and insights into higher Mark E. Williams and Research Professor, which means that 9 education instruction. Tessa is one of Susan S. Andrews out of 14 full professors in our depart- our “education specialists”, and her re- ment are Distinguished Research Profes- search focuses on how students learn Anonymous (2) sors, Regents Professor, or hold named and how educators teach in a higher Chairs. see head’s page 7 Genetics at georgia 7 head’s...from page 6 education environment. Jonathan Egg- port of junior faculty who exemplify the Promotion is also a sign of the health of enschwiler (development of the nervous role of teacher-scholars through out- the Department. We don’t just hire, we system) and Melissa Davis (epigenetics standing research, excellent education grow in experi- and and the integration of education and ence and accom- research) joined us research”. I think this describes our fac- plishments. two years ago. Me- ulty and our department perfectly, and Yes, the future lissa teaches in the we are delighted to note that Andrea and of the Depart- new medical school Dave join Kelly Dyer and Doug Menke ment of Genetics curriculum, provid- in holding active CAREER awards. Fi- looks bright. We ing a link between nally, we have offers out to individuals continue to in- our department and to join us as assistant professors in Mo- crease in size; our Dyer Schmitz the medical school lecular Ecology, Evolutionary Genetics, research is thriv- partnership here and Bioinformatics. By my count that is ing, and our undergraduate and graduate at UGA in Athens. Of course, Andrea 5 new hires under my watch, and 8 (in- programs expanding. The faculty con- Sweigart (evolution) and Dave Nelson cluding me) that have been hired in the tinues to be recognized for excellence in (molecular genetics) joined us three last three years. both research and teaching. The staff is years ago but both were hired before my Kelly Dyer was promoted to Associ- among the best anywhere. I am delighted tenure. I will point ate Professor with Tenure this year, join- that the faculty and the Dean have asked out, however, that ing Dave Hall (Associate Professor with me to serve another 3-year term as Head both Andrea and Tenure) and Rodney Mauricio (Profes- of Department. Dave were awarded sor) promoted last year, and Jessie Kiss- Allen Moore NSF CAREER inger (Professor) promoted two years awards this year. ago. As Head of Department, I cannot These 5-year grants take any credit for these accomplish- Please visit our web site at are “the National Andrews ments, but promotion is the ultimate ac- www.genetics.uga.edu Science Founda- colade and I am proud that my colleagues tion’s most prestigious awards in sup- have been rewarded during my tenure.

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2014 Distinguished Research Awards é Honors Professors The title Distinguished Research Professor was be- stowed upon four faculty who are recognized interna- Norris Armstrong OVPI Summer 2014 Innovative tionally for their original contributions to knowledge and Instruction Faculty Grant whose work promises to foster continued creativity in Mary Bedell Franklin College Sandy Beaver their discipline. Excellence in Teaching Award Allen Moore, a professor of ge- Paul Jeffrey Bennetzen 2014 Lamar Dodd Creative netics in the Franklin College of Research Award Arts and Sciences, conducts research Katie Bockrath 2014 CTL Outstanding that has had tremendous impact on Teaching Assistant Award the fields of quantitative genetics Brian Condie OVPI Summer 2014 Innovative and evolutionary biology. He has led Instruction Faculty Grant a highly successful and productive Kelly Dyer Promotion to Associate research program on the genetics of sociality, which analyzes various Professor social behaviors, such as aggression, Moore Johnathan Eggenschwiller OVPI Summer 2014 Innovative mating, altruism and parental care. Instruction Faculty Grant Insects have played a central role in elucidating the Jessica Hoffman 2014 NSF Doctoral evolution of social behavior, and Moore has created ex- Dissertation Improvement traordinarily robust insect systems that allow him to ma- Grant nipulate experimentally various social behaviors and to Elizabeth Lowry 2014 NSF Doctoral Dissertation quantify the effects of those manipulations on genetic Improvement Grant variation. Allen Moore 2014 UGA Distinguished Moore has made an impact on the field of evolution Research Professor by creating a quantitative genetic framework for analyzing Madhumati Mukherjee 2014 CTL Outstanding such social behaviors. Teaching Assistant Award Article by James Hataway, for information on all of this year’s winners, April 14, 2014, Columns.uga.edu Natalie Nannas NSF National Plant Genome Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowship Dave Nelson NSF Career Award Chad Niederhuth NSF National Plant Genome Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowship Andrea Sweigart NSF Career Award Amy Webster 2014 UGA Barry M. Goldwater Scholar