User:Nmscott
From Santa Fe Institute Events Wiki
I'm currently working on my PhD in genetics at the University of Michigan. My interests are in modeling the dynamics underlying genetic variation.
My dissertation research focuses on modeling the co-evolution between genetic and non-genetic traits. The traits I am interested in using are genes and language, and transmission of the asymptomatic JC virus. In addition to using a population genetics model in this work, I am hoping to use a dynamical model which allows more complicated interactions.
When not in the lab I enjoy bouldering on my home wall, biking (both road and mountain), hiking, reading, music (alt. country & indie stuff), and happy hours.
see you all soon,
Nicole
1. What topics do you have some expertise in and would you be willing to help others learn them?
I have experience in evolutionary biology, Anthropology, genetics, and statistics- I guess I wouldn't mind helping others in these disciplines.
2. What do you want to learn at the CSSS?
I am particularly interested in graph/network theory, especially interactions between networks. I am also interested in agent–based models for transmission.
3. Do you have any projects or research interests that would benefit from an interdisciplinary approach?
My dissertation project spans a number of disciplines-- and although I have filled the gaps in my background in statistics and math, I am a bit of a novice at linguistics.
4. Do you have any ideas for what sort of project you would like to do work on with other CSSS students this summer?
I am thinking of either using a model to look at cognates between languages and/or a method of modeling the constellations of phenotypes in essential/non-essential genes.
5. Suppose you could travel one-hundred years in the future and ask researchers any three questions. What would those questions be?
Do we have better models and strategies for looking at gene-phenotype relationships? Do we have a better picture of the distribution and dynamics of genetic variation within a population?