Hello! My name is Amanda, and I am a scientist! I study evolution, which is the change in a trait in a population over generations. Sometimes evolution leads to an adaptation, which is when a population can survive and reproduce better in their current environment. To study evolution and adaptations, I measure changes in a very tiny molecule called DNA. DNA is an essential molecule and the blueprint for traits of all living things. Some examples of animal adaptations you might have seen are camouflage to hide from predators, venom in snakes to feed on prey, and specialized beaks of a woodpecker to eat bugs in a tree. Usually we think of evolution happening over thousands of years, but the adaptations I study are happening right now! I study evolution in two animals. I study the Tasmanian devil and the tamarisk beetle. They are very different animals, but they are both important to conservation. The Tasmanian devil is an endangered species that now lives only on one island of Australia called Tasmania. In 1996, we first saw a new, deadly disease called Devil Facial Tumor Disease. At first, most of the devils died when they got this disease. Today, many devils survive! We saw signs of adaptation to the disease in only 10 years! Amazing! For this project, I work with a big team across the world to learn how devils evolved. We share what we learn with other teams to help conservation efforts. The tamarisk beetle is a biological control insect. Biological control is when we use a natural enemy to control a plant or pest instead of harmful chemicals. The tamarisk beetle is specially adapted to eat only tamarisk, an invasive plant. Tamarisk is very, very salty - so salty that only these beetles like to eat it! The invasive plant chokes up desert rivers and pushes out important plants that animals depend on, like cottonwoods and willows. Eight years ago, the tamarisk beetle could not survive in California, Arizona, and New Mexico because it could not survive the winters. We saw adaptation in the beetle to survive winters better every year. Today, the beetle lives in California, Arizona, New Mexico, all the way to Mexico! Amazing! I love my job because I work with a lot of different people all over the world to try to make a difference, and it is so fun! Every summer I get to hike outside to collect tamarisk beetles. In the lab, we squish the beetles in chemicals to get their DNA. Then, I use my computer to look at the DNA and ask questions and write about what I learn. I also teach computer skills and biology to college students and other scientists. I didn't always know I wanted to be a scientist, but I always loved playing computer games like Detective Barbie, and playing outside with insects. My parents didn't go to college, but they encouraged me to do what I love. After I finished high school, I went to a small college in my state. In college, I discovered that I loved using my computer skills to ask questions about what I observed outside. I am so happy I discovered a job where I get to learn something new every day and share what I learn with people like you! Categories
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AmandaPosts about bioinformatics, ecology and evolution. ArchivesCategories |