The Cnidarian Tree of Life Project

Ph.D Candidate, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas

Evolution of Life Cycles in Hydrozoans

I am a current PhD candidate in Dr. Paulyn Cartwright's laboratory at the University of Kansas. My research interests focus on the evolution of developmental and reproductive mechanisms; to this end, I am examining the development and lifecycle variation in Hydrozoans. My intent is to use sequencing and comparative gene expression to discern the evolution of the unique life cycles found in the Aplanulata, a hydrozoan clade defined by the lack of a free-living planula. This group includes the freshwater Hydra and marine species possessing diverse life cycles. My role in CnidToL is to assist with the DNA sequencing and the molecular phylogenetic analysis of various hydrozoans.