The Nakanishi lab at the University of Arkansas (https://wordpressua.uark.edu/nakanishi-lab/) seeks applicants interested in pursuing an MS or PhD in biology to start in the Fall of 2022. The lab is interested in addressing fundamental questions in neural development, function, and evolution (“neuro-evo-devo”) by studying the biology of early-diverging animal groups – cnidarians (sea anemone and jellyfish) in particular. Current NSF-funded research projects in the lab use the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis to investigate 1) the mechanism by which a single transcription factor controls distinct sets of target genes in different neural cell types, and 2) the mechanism by which neuropeptides modulate the timing of life cycle transition. Students may work on these and related problems in neuro-evo-devo. Student’s specific project will be developed based on the student’s research interests and educational background, in consultation with the PI of the lab. Research projects may involve gene expression analyses (e.g. in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry), reverse genetics (e.g. CRISPR-Cas9), embryology (e.g. descriptive morphology, cell-lineage tracing and tissue transplantation), genomics (e.g. RNA-seq and ChIP-seq), and/or advanced microscopy (confocal and electron microscopy, and live-cell imaging). Research and teaching assistantships are available.
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field. An ideal candidate will have successfully completed undergraduate coursework in evolutionary biology and genetics. Research experiences in molecular biology, developmental biology, neurobiology, genomics/bioinformatics and/or microscopy techniques are preferred. Knowledge of invertebrate zoology is a plus but not required.
Application: The applicant may apply through the Department of Biological Sciences (https://fulbright.uark.edu/departments/biology/prospective-students/apply-for-graduate.php) or through the Cell and Molecular Biology (CEMB) program (https://cell.uark.edu/). The deadline for Fall admission to the Biology Department is January 15, 2022, and that to CEMB January 1, 2022. In order to apply, the applicant will need to submit 1) an official graduate school application form (https://graduate-and-international.uark.edu/_resources/forms/admission-application.pdf), 2) official academic transcripts, 3) GRE scores, 4) three letters of recommendation from referees in academia, and 5) a program-specific application form (Biology: https://fulbright.uark.edu/departments/biology/_resources/pdf/appl-gradasst.pdf; CEMB: https://cell.uark.edu/info-for-applicants/applicant_profile.php). In addition, the applicant requires a faculty sponsor for admission; the applicant should send an email to Nagayasu Nakanishi (nnakanis@uark.edu) before applying. This email should contain a brief summary of your qualification, research interests and goals, as well as your CV, copies of your academic transcripts, and GRE scores (if available).
