Tara Pelletier

• BIOL 105 - Biology for Health Sciences
• BIOL 111 - Integrative Biology I
• BIOL 112 - Integrative Biology II
• BIOL 222 - Evolution
• BIOL 160 - Introductory Seminar in Biology
• BIOL 132 - Cells and Microorganisms
• BIOL 231 - Genetics, Evolution, and Development
• BIOL 419 - Introduction to Bioinformatics
• BIOL 425 - Advanced Evolution
• BIOL 450 - Molecular Biology
• BIOL 460 - Advanced Seminar in Biology
• BIOL 481 - Introduction to Computational Biology
• RARE 400 - Research Expedition Pre-departure Seminar 
• RARE 410 - Research Expedition Study Abroad
• RARE 420 - Research Expedition Capstone

Areas of interest: big data, biodiversity, biogeography, computational biology, conservation, genomics, population genetics, phylogeography, salamanders, systematics

I am broadly interested in the eco-evolutionary processes that have shaped current biodiversity patterns. My lab works to integrate various types of data (genetic, geographic, environmental, life history, and morphological) to understand these complex processes. Collaborations with those from other sub-disciplines in biology are a great way to answer these questions.

There are several big datasets that I have aggregated over the last few years that lend themselves easily to various research projects in computational biology. I am happy to discuss developing projects in ecology and evolution that focus on any organism from viruses to rotifers to large mammals.

We conduct local fieldwork with the aquatic ecology lab to sample water and soil samples to estimate biodiversity by sequencing the DNA found in environmental samples. We also sequence DNA in targeted insect and salamander species to estimate genetic diversity and dispersal for conservation purposes. Ecological niche modeling is also an active area of research in my lab.

The skills developed using computational methods and statistics in biology transfer to all areas of scientific work so I strive to include hands-on practice in all areas of teaching and mentoring.

Please contact me if you are interested in working in my lab!