Island Evolution Lab

The Island Evolution Lab at the UOG Marine Lab is a group of researchers and students interested in basic and applied evolutionary question in island settings. We are using genetic and genomic approaches (RAD-Seq, RNA-Seq and Genome sequencing) in combination with field work, observations, collections, museums, specimens and experimental manipulations to address original questions in population genetics, phylogenetics, phylogeography, molecular ecology and genomics.

The Island Evolution Lab is partially funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium program, NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the Government of Guam.
LabFunding

JOB ALERT:

Post-Doctoral Researcher (Coral Population Genomics – EPSCoR) JOB # RC-21-17

We are looking for a postdoc to join us at the University of Guam Marine Laboratory. The position is initially funded for 2 years, with the possibility of further extension, and is scheduled to be filled as soon as possible (i.e. ideally by in February/March 2021). It is funded by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) project Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium for Corals and Oceans (GECCO). The selected candidate will join a vibrant lab and have the opportunity to contribute to a variety of projects in the fields of population genetics and evolutionary genomics.

The Island Evolution Lab is committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe that a more diverse and interesting workplace generates more diverse and interesting outcomes in terms of ideas, experiences, people and publications. Guam and UOG are small but very diverse places, where people from many different, distant backgrounds interact within the local Chamorro culture. We try to actively contribute to this rich and inspiring diversity.

The postdoc will be responsible for:

Leading studies within a large-scale population genomics research project, aimed at the distribution of genetic diversity within and among Micronesian Islands to quantify connectivity among reefs and identify local adaptations.
Applying new methods and analytical tools to investigate population genomic patterns among scleractinian corals across oceanic islands.
Writing publications and assisting with other projects in the laboratory, depending upon skills and research interests.
Mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.
Other duties assigned.

Minimum qualifications:

PhD or postdoctoral experience in genetics, genomics, marine biology or related field.
Experience in analyzing large genetic/genomic datasets.
Proficient in Bash, R and command-line tools and scripting.
Scientific field work experience, ideally marine, including diving experience.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities:

Organized.
Team science oriented and interested in mentoring.
Highly motivated and pro-active.
Excellent writing and good communication skills.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience with population genomic datasets and analysis.
Proficient in Python, GitHub etc.
Scientific dive certification (AAUS), ideally with experience working on tropical reefs. A scientific dive certification (AAUS) can also be obtained at the Marine Lab.
Basic knowledge of coral biology and taxonomy and/or experience working with corals.
Interest in contributing to website content, social media and other outreach efforts.
Experience working in an island setting.

Salary & Benefits:

Grade N, Step 1, $21.64/h. Temporary, Full-Time, 40 hours per week.

Social Security, Medical and Dental Insurance, 4 hours annual leave and 4 hours sick leave per pay period, holiday pay, up to 3% 403(b) match based upon employee contribution of 3%.

Questions and inquiries should be sent to David Combosch (comboschd@triton.uog.edu).

Formal job announcement: https://www.uog.edu/rcuog/job-announcements.php

Application process:

Deadline: Position Open Until Filled. The initial review of applications will occur on January 07, 2021 (Chamorro Standard Time/UTC+10).

To apply, please 1) fill out the online application form at www.uog.edu/rcuog/employment-application and email the following documents to the Research Cooperation of the University of Guam (RCUOG) at rcuoghr@triton.uog.edu:

2) A cover letter, outlining your interests in the job, addressing the requirements listed above and summarizing your past academic accomplishments.
3) CV, including a list of three references with contact information. Letters will be requested directly, as needed.

4) University transcripts.

The Island Evolution Lab actively support and promotes diversity in science, research and education.

InThisLab2

We are always looking for graduate and undergraduate students who are interested and passionate about evolution, genomics and population genetics!

Please contact us islandevolutionlab@gmail.com

And on Instagram @islandevolutionlab (e.g. below)

Our instagram feed:

A special feature about our lab on Guam's local TV station Kuam TV in April 2019 (also on youtube)

IEL outside

Combosch David

Office Location:

Mailing Address:

Expertise

Tel:
Mobile:
Fax:

More Details

Karim D. Primov

Miami, Florida

Email: kprimov1 -AT-gmail.com
Research: Population Genomics of Porites lobata
Current position: Graduate Research Assistant and MS Candidate in the UOG Graduate Biology Program

Bio

Close (x)

About

Karim received his Bachelor’s degree in Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami, majoring in Marine Science and Biology and minoring in chemistry. He is currently studying the population genetic structure of the scleractinian coral Porites lutea around Guam. His major research interests include population genetics and invertebrate zoology.

Glynn, Peter W., Brian Coffman, Michael PC Fuller, Shannon G. Moorhead, Megan K. Williams, Karim D. Primov, Tayla N. Fortson, Rachel N. Barrales, and Peter J. Glynn. "Benthic ctenophores (Platyctenida: Coeloplanidae) in south Florida: environmental conditions, habitats, abundances, and behaviors." Invertebrate Biology 136, no. 4 (2017): 379-393.

Glynn, Peter W., Brian Coffman, Karim D. Primov, Shannon G. Moorhead, Jeongran Vanderwoude, Rachel N. Barrales, Megan K. Williams, and Robert P. Roemer. "Benthic ctenophores (Platyctenida: Coeloplanidae) in South Florida: predator–prey interactions." Invertebrate Biology (2018).

Dareon Rios

Chalan Pago, GU

Email: dareonrios-AT-gmail.com
Research: Population Genomics of Acropora corals
Current position: Graduate Research Assistant and MS Candidate in the UOG Graduate Biology Program

Bio

Arthur Perez

Chalan Pago, Guam

Email: pereza4818-AT-triton.uog.edu
Research: Porites phylogenomics

Current position: Graduate Student Assistant in the UOG Graduate Biology Program
Criminalist at the Guam Police Department (GPD) Crime Lab

Bio

Jessica Fernandez

Yigo, Guam

Email: jess.eri0926-AT-gmail.com
Research: Coral population genomics

Current position: Graduate Student Assistant in the UOG Graduate Biology Program

Bio

Khanh Ly

Mangilao, Guam

Email: heykhanhly-AT-gmail.com
Research: Population Genomics and Coral Restoration
Current position: Graduate Student Assistant in the UOG Graduate Biology Program

Bio

Kireon Rios

Chalan Pago, Guam

Email: N/A
Research: Porites barcoding and phylogenetics
Current position: Undergraduate Intern;
Junior at University of Guam, Biology Program

CONGRATULATIONS Kireon for receiving the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) stipend for his research on Porites barcoding and phylogenetics.

Bio

LAB ALUMNI:

Leya Wang

Mangilao, Guam

Email: N/A
Research: Pocillopora reproduction
Bio: High School Intern (2018-2019); Senior at St. Johns High School, Tumon, Guam

Bio

Christian Binuya

Yigo, GU

Email: N/A
Research: Pocillopora barcoding and phylogenetics
Current position: Junior at University of Guam, double majoring in chemistry and biology under the Chemistry Program

Bio

Andrea Fuentes

University Park, IL

Email: N/A
Advisor: Dr. David Combosch
Research: Porites Coral Phylogenetics
Bio: Visiting Undergraduate Student (2018) and back then Senior at Governors State University, IL

Bio

Main Team Collaborations:

Gonzalo Giribet (Harvard University, Cambridge)
Ana Riesgo (Museum of Natural History, London)
Rüdiger Bieler (Field Museum, Chicago)
Miquel Arnedo (University of Barcelona)
Sarah Lemer (University of Guam)
Neil Landman (American Museum of Natural History, NY)
Bernardo Lemos (Harvard University, Boston)
Rich Aronson (Florida Institute of Technology)
Lauren Toth (US Geological Survey)
Martin Schwentner (Natural History Museum, Vienna)
Valerie Paul (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History)
Crawford Drury (University of Hawaii)
Zac Forsman (University of Hawaii)
Dan Barshis (Old Dominion University, Norfolk)

field dareon

Lab inside

lab

reproduction

Coral Population Genomics

We are exploring the genetic connectivity, diversity and structure of multiple coral species around Guam and throughout Micronesia using an in-house RAD-Seq approach.

This is a major focus of our lab and both Dareon and Karim MS thesis are focussing on coral population genomics for their thesis research (see team).

Coral Phylogenomics & Phylogenetics

The main phylogenetic relationships among corals have been highly controversial for years. Recently genome-sclae datasets have started to clarify many of these important relationships. We are currently assembling on one of the largest genomic dataset to study the deep relationships in the coral tree of life.

Coral Bleaching Resistance

We are using experiments to induce coral bleaching in aquaria experiment to characterize the molecular processes that allow corals to survive and adapt to stressful environmental conditions. Most of these projects are conducted in collaboration with the Lemer Lab.

Nautilus Phylogeography

The Nautilus is one of the most iconic marine invertebrates and an important model system for evolutionary biologist and paleontologists, among others. We are using genomic tools to analyze the evolution and phylogeography of Nautilus across the species distribution range.

Coral Reproduction

Coral reproduction is of major interest, not only to improve our understanding of the basic biology of reef corals but also for their management and restoration. We are studying the reproductive characteristics of several coral species, using aquarium experiments and genetic tools.

team

Urunao

Lab inside

Dareon.lab

Kireon.lab

David's Google Scholar Profile

Please contact us for pdf copies or download from researchgate or sci-hub.

Select Publications:

2020

Schwentner M., G. Giribet, D.J. Combosch, & B.V. Timms 2020 Genetic Differentiation in Mountain-Dwelling Clam Shrimp, Paralimnadia (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata), in Eastern Australia. Invertebrate Systematics 34 (1): 88–100. doi:10.1071/IS19027.

2019

Walker N.S., R. Fernández, J.M. Sneed, V.J. Paul, G. Giribet, & D.J. Combosch 2019 Differential Gene Expression During Substrate Probing in Larvae of the Caribbean Coral Porites astreoides. Molecular Ecology 28(22): 4899-4913, DOI:10.1111/mec.15265.
Leiva C., S. Taboada, N.J. Kenny, D. Combosch, G. Giribet, T. Jombart, A. Riesgo (2019) Population substructure and signals of divergent adaptive selection despite admixture in the sponge Dendrilla antarctica from shallow waters surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula. Molecular Ecology 28(13): 3151-3170, DOI: 10.1111/mec.15135
Laumer C., R. Fernández, S. Lemer, D. Combosch, K. Kocot, A. Riesgo, S. Andrade, W. Sterrer, M. Sørensen, G. Giribet (2019) Revisiting metazoan phylogeny with genomic sampling of all phyla. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 286(1906): 20190831, DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0831

2017

Combosch* D.J., S. Lemer*, P.D. Ward, N.H. Landman & G. Giribet 2017 Genomic signatures of evolution in Nautilus–an endangered living fossil. Molecular Ecology 26(21): 5923–5938 *Shared first author
Schwentner M., D.J. Combosch, J.P. Nelson & G. Giribet 2017 A Phylogenomic Solution to the Origin of Insects by Resolving Crustacean-Hexapod Relationships. Current Biology 27(12): 1818-1824
Combosch D.J., T.M. Collins, E.A. Glover, D.L. Graf, E.M. Harper, J.M. Healy, G.Y. Kawauchi, S. Lemer, E. McIntyre, E.E. Strong, J.D. Taylor, J.D. Zardus, P.M. Mikkelsen, G. Giribet & R. Bieler 2017 A family-level Tree of Life for bivalves based on a Sanger-sequencing approach. Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution 107: 191–208

2016

Combosch D.J. & G. Giribet 2016 Clarifying phylogenetic relationships and the evolutionary history of the bivalve order Arcida (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Pteriomorphia). Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution 94: 298-312

2015

Combosch D.J. & S.V. Vollmer 2015 Trans-Pacific RAD-Seq population genomics confirms introgressive hybridization in Eastern Pacific Pocillopora corals. Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution 88: 154-162

2013

Combosch D.J. & S.V. Vollmer 2013 Mixed asexual and sexual reproduction in the Indo-Pacific reef coral Pocillopora damicornis. Ecology & Evolution 3(10): 3379-3387

2012

Toth L.T., R.B. Aronson, S.V. Vollmer, J.W. Hobbs, D. Urrego, H. Cheng, I. Enochs, D.J. Combosch, R. van Woesik & I. Macintyre 2012 ENSO drove 2500-Year Collapse of Eastern Pacific Coral Reefs. Science 337(6090): 81-84

2011

Combosch D.J. & S. Vollmer 2011 Population Genetics of an Ecosystem-Defining Reef Coral Pocillopora damicornis in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. PLoS ONE 6(8): e21200

2008

Combosch D.J., H. Guzmán, H. Schuhmacher & S. Vollmer 2008 Interspecific Hybridization and Restricted Gene Flow in Tropical Eastern Pacific Pocillopora. Molecular Ecology 17: 1304-1312

Presentations

2019

Asia Pacific Academy of Science, Education and Environmental Management (APASEEM), Garapan, Saipan (CNMI)
- Combosch D.J.: Population genomics of reef-building corals in the CNMI and Guam.
Gordon Research Conference: Marine Molecular Ecology, Hong Kong
- Combosch D.J.: Population genomics of reef corals in Guam.
5^th Guam Coral Reef Symposium, Tumon (Guam)
- Rios D.* & D.J. Combosch: Population Genomics of Acropora pulchra in Guam.
- Rios K.**, D. Rios, K. Primov, J. Fernandez, A. Fuentes, D. Burdick & D.J. Combosch: Barcoding and phylogenetic analyses of reef-building Porites corals.
- Primov K.* & D.J. Combosch: The Population Genetic Structure of the reef-building coral Porites lobata on Guam.
CISX – 10^th Conference for Island Sustainability, Tumon (Guam)
- Rios D.* & D.J. Combosch: The Population Genetic Structure of Acropora pulchra in Guam.
- Primov K.* & D.J. Combosch: Population Genetic Structure of the reef-building coral Porites lobata on Guam.

2018

University of Guam (Guam), POETS Seminar Series
- Combosch D.J.: Genomic signatures of evolution in Nautilus – an endangered living fossil.
SACNAS - The National Diversity in STEM Conference, San Antonio, TX (USA)
- Fuentes A.** & D.J. Combosch: Resolving the Species Boundaries in the Porites Corals of Guam.
Willi Henning Congress, Barcelona (Spain)
- Enguidanos A.*, D.J. Combosch, V. Tonzo, G. Giribet & M. Arnedo: Knocking on the trap-door: Unraveling the species boundaries and evolutionary history of western Mediterranean ctenizid trap-door spiders.
Asia-Pacific Coral Reef Symposium, Cebu (Philippines)
- Combosch D.J., S. Lemer, R. Bieler & G. Giribet: A genome and transcriptome-based phylogeny of reef corals.
4^th Guam Coral Reef Symposium, Tumon (Guam)
- Combosch D.J., S. Lemer, R. Bieler & G. Giribet: A phylogenomic study of Scleractinian corals based on genome and transcriptome data.
CISX – 9^th Conference for Island Sustainability, Tumon (Guam)
- Primov K.* & D.J. Combosch: The Population Genetic Structure of Porites lobata on Guam.
Connections, Collaborations and Innovations in the Pacific, UOG Annual Research Conference, Mangilao (Guam)
- Combosch D.J.: Connections, Collaborations and Innovations and the EPSCoR Guam Ecosystem Collaboratorium.

2017

Hong Kong University (Hong Kong), Ecology and Biodiversity Seminar
- Combosch D.J. & S. Lemer: Evolutionary Genomics and the EPSCoR Guam Ecosystem Collaborative.
University of Guam (Guam), SECORE Coral Reproduction workshop
- Combosch D.J.: Population Genetics and Restoration.
International Society for Reef Studies European Meeting, Oxford (UK)
- Combosch D.J., S. Lemer, R. Bieler & G. Giribet: A genome and transcriptome based phylogenomic study of Scleractinian corals.
- Lemer S., D.J. Combosch & B. Lemos: Epigenetic modification and differential gene expression in Acropora digitifera during heat acclimation.
10th World Sponge Conference, Galway (Ireland)
- Leiva C.*, S. Taboada, D.J. Combosch, G. Giribet & A. Riesgo: Genomic approach to the evolutionary history and population structure of Dendrilla antarctica Topsent, 1905 (Porifera, Demospongiae) from the shallow-water Southern Ocean.
XIIth Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, Leuven (Belgium)
- Taboada S., C. Leiva, G. Giribet, D.J. Combosch, J. Junoy, J. Avila & A. Riesgo: Molecular connectivity in two congeneric Antarctic shallow-water hoplonemertean species with direct development using a traditional marker and SNPs
- Leiva C.*, S. Taboada, D.J. Combosch, G. Giribet & A. Riesgo: Population connectivity of Dendrilla antarctica Topsent, 1905 (Porifera, Demospongiae) from West Antarctica shallow bottoms using genome-wide SNPS obtained from RADSeq techniques.

2016

12^th International Coral Reef Symposium, Honolulu, HI (USA)
- Combosch D.J., S. Lemer & G. Giribet: A phylogenomic backbone for Scleractinia.
Harvard University OEB Thesis Symposium, Cambridge, MA (USA)
- Walker N.*, G. Giribet & D.J. Combosch: Characterizing Differential Gene Expression in Probing Larvae of the Caribbean Coral Species Porites astreoides Lamarck, 1816.

2015

Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology (USA), MCZ Seminar Series
- Combosch D.J.: Population genomics of nautilids.
Gordon Research Conference: Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics, Biddeford, ME (USA);
- Combosch D.J., S. Lemer & G. Giribet: Population genomics of nautilids.

2012

12^th International Coral Reef Symposium, Cairns (Australia)
- Combosch D.J. & S.V. Vollmer: Transpacific phylogenomic analysis of Pocillopora damicornis populations.

2010

International Society for Reef Studies European Meeting, Wageningen (Netherlands)
- Combosch D.J. & S.V. Vollmer: Population genetics of an ecosystem-engineer - Pocillopora damicornis (Cnidaria, Scleractinia) in the Eastern Pacific.

2009

Ruhr-University Bochum (Germany), Biodiversity Colloquium
- Combosch D.J.: Molecular Ecology of Tropical Eastern Pacific Corals.
Western Society of Naturalists, Monterey, CA (USA)
- Combosch D.J. & S.V. Vollmer: Population genetics of an ecosystem-defining reef builder - Pocillopora damicornis in the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

2008

11^th International Coral Reef Symposium, Fort Lauderdale, FL (USA)
- Combosch D.J., H. Schuhmacher, H. Guzman & S.V. Vollmer: Local Interspecific Hybridization and Restricted Transpacific Gene Flow in Tropical Eastern Pacific Pocillopora.
37^th Benthic Ecology Meeting, Providence, RI (USA)
- Combosch D.J., H. Schuhmacher, H. Guzman & S.V. Vollmer: Interspecific Hybridization in Eastern Pacific Pocillopora (Scleractinia).

2006

International Society for Reef Studies European Meeting, Bremen (Germany)
- Combosch D.J., H. Schuhmacher & S.V. Vollmer: Unexpected variation in the Calmodulin gene of corals.

*Student presenter; **Undergraduate presenter

Teaching:

Evolutionary Biology (BI/EV525)
Population Genetics Seminar (BI/EV691)
Evolution in Changing Seas Guam
Phenotypic Plasticity Seminar (BI/EV691)

Pop Gen seminar 2017

Outreach examples:

CIS

outreach1

field dareon

You are here

Marine Laboratory