Natalie is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University. Her doctoral research combines genomics, bioinformatics, and ecology to better understand wildlife populations and inform conservation decisions. Natalie received a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Marquette University, where she first became interested in genetics through research on gecko evolution. Since beginning her Ph.D., she has expanded that interest to conservation genomics, working on a variety of species including the western chicken turtle, Pacific gray whale, and Montezuma quail. She is passionate about facilitating the integration of genomic research into conservation practice. In her spare time, she enjoys rock climbing, birding, and hiking with her dog, Maisie.
Purdue University
Major Advisor: Andrew DeWoody, Ph.D.
Informing Genetic Rescue of Texas Montezuma Quail through Range-Wide Genomics
Populations at the edge of a species’ range are often the most vulnerable to decline, and this has proven true for the Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezmae), whose Texas populations are isolated from those throughout Mexico. Once widespread in the state, the species now occupies less than 1% of their historical range in Texas. Remaining populations suffer from low genetic diversity and increased inbreeding, further threatening their persistence. Genetic rescue of Texas populations via the introduction of individuals from the core of their range in Mexico is a promising management strategy, but it requires careful identification of source populations that are both genetically diverse and have adaptations compatible with Texas’ climate. To address this, I will conduct a range-wide genomic survey of Montezuma Quail to comprehensively examine adaptive genomic variants. My goal is to 1) quantify genetic erosion across the range, 2) detect both single nucleotide polymorphisms and structural variants linked to adaptation, and 3) identify candidate source populations in Mexico for genetic rescue in Texas. This project is directly relevant to the management of Montezuma Quail and uses novel techniques to advance genomic approaches in wildlife conservation.
welderwildlife.org 