Trabajo fin de Grado Projects... Get into the lab and learn some techniques

There is a wide range of projects that can be done in my lab. I  have projects that will get you into the molecular lab, learning lab techniques and aspects of molecular biology that can be applied to a variety of basic and applied problems in ecology, evolution, and conservation.  We do original primer design for PCR of macromolecules that are important for adaptation to drought, climate change, and metal tolerance.  I also can offer you projects in ecology, especially on modeling the effects of climate change on species of animals and plants.  My approach is to lay out some possible projects and then we can discuss them, and any additional ideas you may have.

Masters degree students...Macromolecules important for metal and drought tolerance

I welcome inquiries from students interested in doing projects for their Masters degree. Most of my current masters students are working on the evolution of molecules that are candidates for adaptation to local environmental conditions.  These molecules may provide the raw materials for developing crops that are resistant to drought and the accumulation of heavy metals in soils.  I have an appreciable amount of data that is ready for investigating historical species distributions (for example, during the last glaciation) and potential future changes in distributions due to climate change. I am also willing to work with students to develop short projects on analysis and modeling of biodiversity from a conservation perspective.

I am willing to work with students at UPV/EHU to write up their results for publication in English.  Students who may be reserved regarding their English skills may be comforted to know that I speak Spanish.  I am willing to use it to help clarify concepts and ideas.  Please feel free to contact me by e-mail or by telephone.

Doctoral students

I am actively seeking students who want to begin research in computational ecology or evolution, roughly within the areas outlined in the page on my research program.  Ideally, you would speak to me as early as possible so that we may discuss things informally to find areas where our interests overlap. Assuming that you are from the Basque Country or Spain, you should plan on developing an application, with my help, for support from the University of the Basque Country, the Basque government, or the Spanish Ministry.  These programs are all competitive and setting aside sufficient time for writing a good application is the best way to improve your chances for success.

You can do research on questions in molecular ecology, and combine work in the field with work in the lab.  I encourage you to work on insects, marine arthropods, microbes and plants because there are no concerns regarding certification for working with these organisms.

Since we have a full molecular lab, you can plan on doing genetic and genomic work on whatever biological system you get involved in.