Host: Sarah Hird

"Host-species specificity in the mammalian gut microbiota"

Dr. Moeller is an evolutionary biologist interested in symbiosis, particularly host-microbe relationships. All multicellular eukaryotes serve as habitats for microbial lineages, which in turn have opened up new adaptive trajectories for their hosts. Vertebrates, for example, harbor diverse communities of microorganisms that have become deeply integrated with their hosts’ metabolic, immune, and neuroendocrine systems. Despite the ubiquity and profound effects of these interactions, many fundamental questions remain unanswered. Which microorganisms coevolve with hosts? What are the genetic bases of the intimate partnerships between host and microbial lineages? How have microorganisms shaped host adaption and diversification? Moeller’s research is aimed at answering these and related questions through a combination of observational and experimental studies in the field and in the lab.

To learn more about Dr. Moeller, see his publication at https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.aaf3951 and visit his website at https://www.moellerlab.com/

Host: Barbara Mellone

Join us at 3:15 in the BPB lobby for refreshments, Seminar begins at 3:30

The impact of genetic cheating on reproduction and speciation

Summary: Dr. Akera will talk about two unpublished stories that reveal both the cell biological basis and evolutionary consequences of meiotic drive, where selfish DNA violate Mendel’s Law of Segregation to increase their own rate of transmission.

Bio: Dr. Takashi Akera graduated from the University of Tokyo with a Ph.D. in Biophysics and Biochemistry in 2014 and conducted postdoc research at the University of Pennsylvania in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Lampson from 2015 to 2019. He received both Holtzer Award for outstanding postdoctoral research in Cell and Developmental Biology and Kaushal Award for excellence in postdoctoral research in Genetics from the University of Pennsylvania in 2018. He was also a finalist for the ASCB Porter Prize for Research Excellence Award in 2018. Dr. Akera joined the NHLBI in 2019 as an Earl Stadtman tenure-track Investigator.

To learn more about Dr. Akera, view his publication at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29097549/ and his website at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/chromosome-dynamics-and-evolution

INCLUSIVE MENTORING

About Dr. Arrizabalaga:
Dr. Arrizabalaga is an Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs Professional Development Diversity and holds an academic appointment in Pharmacology and Toxicology as a Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine. He also holds an appointment in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. He is also the Director of Trainee Recruitment, Development and Diversity in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.
Dr. Arrizabalaga earned a Bachelor in Science in Biochemistry from Haverford College and a Ph.D. in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He performed a Post-doctoral fellowship in Molecular Parasitology at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Dr. Arrizabalaga focuses his efforts in the Office of Diversity Affairs on the development of learners and trainees from populations underrepresented in the biomedical fields. He enjoys working with graduate and medical students, post-doctoral fellow and medical residents to help them achieve their professional and career goals. Gustavo is committed to promoting an open, just and inclusive culture that allows for the success and wellness of our students and trainees.

Please join us for coffee and refreshments prior to his lecture at 9:00 AM