The Range lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn
> University is recruiting graduate students interested in evolutionary and
> developmental biology (https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=www.therangelab.com&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C330ae6fcc6ab410a78e608d768336039%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C1%7C637092442176332899&sdata=NqWnemPA0TVbbwYauuPfs2BNNtCxbzHAGqcCTJvtM%2Fg%3D&reserved=0). Research in the lab focuses
> on understanding how an interconnected network of three different Wnt
> signaling pathways (Wnt/Beta-catenin, Wnt/JNK, and Wnt/Ca2+) coordinate
> the exact positions of the gene regulatory networks that establish
> the primary germ layers along the anterior-posterior axis during early
> embryogenesis. We use sea urchin and hemichordate (acorn worm) embryos as
> the primary model systems. Remarkably, functional and expression studies
> in many metazoans (vertebrates, urochordates, hemichordates, echinoderms
> and cnidarians) suggest that many aspects of this Wnt signaling network
> governing AP axis specification is an ancient mechanism that existed in
> the common ancestor of bilaterians and cnidarians. We also work closely
> with the Counterman lab at nearby Mississippi State University to study
> how Wnt signaling is involved in butterfly wing pattern development. In
> collaboration, we have begun to characterize the Wnt network of signaling
> governing pigmentary and structurally based color patterns.
>
> The position is for a talented PhD student beginning in the Fall
> of 2020. The student will have the choice to work on any number of
> projects in the lab that focus on the roles of Wnt signaling during
> early AP axis specification and patterning in sea urchin and hemichordate
> embryos. The student will also have opportunities to contribute to our
> collaboration with the Counterman lab. The position offers training in
> a combination of molecular manipulations, high-throughput genome-wide
> assays and bioinformatics, gene regulatory network analysis as well as
> classical embryology.
>
> Auburn University is situated in the quintessential college town of
> Auburn, Alabama and is located close to several major cities (e.g. Atlanta
> [1.25 hrs] and Birmingham [2 hrs]), the beaches along the Gulf of Mexico
> and Atlantic Ocean, and the Appalachian Mountains. You can learn more
> about the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University at
> https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.auburn.edu%2Fcosam%2Fdepartments%2Fbiology%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C330ae6fcc6ab410a78e608d768336039%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C1%7C637092442176342896&sdata=fAu3SohZ7nVFQ%2FQ33PZiMMybQ1fG9Su89VU%2Fj6zs8d0%3D&reserved=0.
>
> Interested applicants should contact Dr. Ryan Range at
> range@auburn.edu. With your inquiry, please include a CV and a brief
> description of your research interests and experience. GRE scores are not
> required by the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn. Applications
> for Fall 2020 are accepted until February 1st, 2020. In-person interviews
> at Auburn are available. There will be a graduate student recruitment
> hosted by the Department of Biological Sciences from January 21st –
> 23rd for interested students if they contact Dr. Range before December
> 31st, 2019.
>
> Recent publications related to the position:
>
> Integration of canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways patterns
> the neuroectoderm along the anterior-posterior axis of sea urchin embryos.
> Range RC, Angerer RC, Angerer LM. PLoS Biol. 2013;11(1):e1001467. doi:
> 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001467. PMID: 23335859
>
> Specification and positioning of the anterior neuroectoderm in
> deuterostome embryos. Range R. Genesis. 2014 Mar;52(3):222-34. doi:
> 10.1002/dvg.22759. Review. PMID: 24549984
>
> An anterior signaling center patterns and sizes the anterior neuroectoderm
> of the sea urchin embryo. Range RC, Wei Z. Development. 2016 May
> 1;143(9):1523-33. doi: 10.1242/dev.128165. PMID: 26952978
>
> Khadka, A, Martinez-Bartolomé, M, Snyder, S, and Range, RC . A novel
> gene’s role in an ancient mechanism: secreted Frizzled-related
> protein 1 is a critical component in the Wnt signaling network
> governing anterior-posterior neuroectoderm patterning in sea urchin
> embryos. EvoDevo. 2017. DOI:10.1186/s13227-017-0089-3.
>
> Range RC. Canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways
> define the expression domains of Frizzled 5/8 and Frizzled1/2/7
> along the early anterior-posterior axis in sea urchin embryos.
> Developmental Biology. 2018. pii: S0012-1606(18)30238-0. DOI:
> 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.10.003.
>