Postdocing in NC

Posted 10 August 2005 by Reed A. Cartwright

↗ The current version of this post is on the live site: https://pandasthumb.org/archives/2005/08/postdocing-in-n.html

I’m in my final year of graduate school and plan to graduate with a Ph.D. in Genetics after spring semester. I recently lined up a postdoc working with Jeff Thorne at NC State. In case you are wondering, postdoc is short for “post-doctoral researcher”, which means that you have a doctorate, but are still working under a more senior scientist or academic, usually a professor at a research institution.

The postdoc is still many months away. I have to complete and defend my dissertation and survive teaching undergrads between now and then. My postdoctoral research will involve either Bayesian methods of estimating evolutionary parameters or developing models of sequence evolution that take into consideration three dimensional protein structure.

Anyway, since I will be moving to Raleigh early next summer, I’d like to put some feelers out about establishing a North Carolina Citizens for Science. Anybody interested?

10 Comments

steve · 10 August 2005

NCSU WOOT WOOT!

coturnix · 10 August 2005

Absolutely. Give me a holler when you arrive.

Jason · 10 August 2005

Reed,

I hope you don't mind a question unrelated to your request.

In some of my work, we've been collecting genetic samples from a severely depressed population of sturgeon. Those samples are being subjected to PCR testing, primarily looking at microsats.

In a recent presentation, one of the geneticists stated that the data indicated the population was much less diverse than other sturgeon populations. I asked him the following question, but didn't get a straight answer, so I'm asking you...

Given that microsats are non-coding short repeated segments, is it assumed that low diversity in microsats reflects an overall low genetic diversity? Or is it possible to have low microsat diversity but higher diversity in other genetic regions?

I'm asking this purely for my own curiosity. I have no reason to doubt the conclusions from this data set, since as I stated before, the population is severely depressed and has been for a number of years.

Thanks for your help.

Jason

Pascal · 10 August 2005

Yes. I am interested in a North Carolina Citizens for Science.

Reed A. Cartwright · 10 August 2005

Given that microsats are non-coding short repeated segments, is it assumed that low diversity in microsats reflects an overall low genetic diversity? Or is it possible to have low microsat diversity but higher diversity in other genetic regions?
— Jason

It is unlikely since microsats mutate quicker than other parts of the genome and thus on average are going to be more diverse than other regions.

Jason · 11 August 2005

Ah, so low diversity in microsat regions likely means really low diversity in the other regions.

Thank you Reed.

James Hrynyshyn · 11 August 2005

I would be very interested in such an association in NC.

John Buie · 11 August 2005

You betcha. Add me to the list of Raleigh-area residents who would be interested.

steve · 11 August 2005

NC in general, and Raleigh in particular, seem to be strangely overrepresented on this site.

I suggest a seasonal Bill Dembski Sucks Night at Mitch's Tavern. Or we could regularly rotate the titles. The next one could be the Jay Richards Physics Extravaganza, then John Wells's Moon over Darwin Party.

Chris G · 12 August 2005

I live in Greensboro and would heartly support, in any way I can, such a group. I am a software developer by professional and can offer help in this area if needed.