Joan A. West

Advisors: Dr. Sara Via & Dr. David Hawthorne

Previous Education:
B.A. Biology University of Chicago

Research Interests:
I am interested in how adaptation to different environments or resources leads to speciation, and the genetic changes that occur as two populations become more isolated from one another. For my dissertation, I have studied pea aphids, which are strongly tied to their host plants because they not only feed on them but also mate on them. Pea aphids on alfalfa and clover are highly specialized on their plants, and may be in the initial stages of speciation.

I have identified regions of the pea aphids genome that are highly genetically different in these incipient species. I have also studied how the introduction of the pea aphids into North America may have influenced their diversification.

Location of Research:
Collected aphids from Iowa, Maryland, Oregon, Colorado, and England.
Laboratory work at the University of Maryland.

Funding Sources:
2000 NSF Biology of Small Populations Research Training Grant, UMD

Awards:
2004 Darwin Fellowship Award, BEES Program, UMD
2000 Biology of Small Populations Research Training Grant, UMD