The George Washington University Dept. of Biological Sciences 2023 G St, NW Washington, DC 20052 USA kwalters@gwu.edu

Arrives: 15 July
Departs: 11 August

I am a graduate student at The George Washington University in the Department of Biological Sciences in the Systematics and Evolution Program. My advisor is Dr Marc Allard. I am active in several projects involving the application of phylogenetics to forensic identification, gene families and transposable elements.

Feline SINES: Short interspersed nuclear elements (SINES) can account for up to 50% or more of a mammalian genome. These elements have been shown useful for classifying large mammalian clades and some have even called them the "perfect phylogenetic character". We will be exploring the evolution of SINE elements in the Felidae family.

GSTO1 in Drosophila: The Glutathione S transferase (GST) gene has homologs in nearly every eukaryotic organism. However, in the genus Drosophila, the GST omegas have duplicated multiple times leaving as many as 5 functional paralogs. With twelve species of Drosphophila now sequenced, we are exploring the evidence for divergence in function of these paralogs by observing their expression as well as rates of evolution in the various gene lineages.

Forensic Identification: Traditionally forensic identification of non-human mammals has relied on morhphological characteristics. Often the type of evidence needed; bones, hairs etc, is not available at a crime scene or are not in a recognizable condition. However, trace amounts of tissue or bodily fluid maybe available that contain intact DNA sequences. We are working to create a universal biological assay which will identify an unknown mammal based on conserved DNA sequences that characterize a family, genus and species. Unlike current forensic protocols, our methods will use phylogenetic techniques to place an unknown specimen with its species or sister species.