Ned Friedman and Pam Diggle just got word from NSF that their NSF Research Coordination Network grant proposal, "microMORPH: Microevolutionary and Organismic Research in Plant History" will be funded at 100% ($481,700). This is the first time they have ever coauthored a grant proposal (or research paper) together.
Brief abstract:
In the midst of the explosive growth in genetic and genomic information, the future intellectual development of plant evo-devo stands at a remarkable juncture. For the first time since Darwin opened up the microevolutionary paradigm of descent with modification through natural selection, we have the opportunity to understand the developmental underpinnings of evolutionary processes at the intraspecific and interspecific levels of biological organization in both model system taxa and, especially, diverse non-model system species. The goal of the microMORPH RCN is to promote and stimulate significant interactions between the intellectually diverse subdisciplines of evolutionary ecology, population genetics, developmental morphology, phylogenetics, and molecular developmental biology. Major planned networking activities include 1) a series of intergenerational and interdisciplinary workshops involving graduate students and faculty, 2) support for cross-disciplinary training opportunities for students (undergraduate summer internships and graduate rotations away from the home institution) and postdoctorals and junior faculty, 3) outreach activities to underrepresented groups in the sciences (through mini-symposia to be held at institutions with substantial minority student populations), and 4) development of a website for the µMORPH RCN.
Much more information on MORPH is available at:
MORPH homepage: www.colorado.edu/eeb/MORPH/
Congratulations to Ned and Pam!
