Jennifer R. Ellis

Dept. of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University
VU Station B, Box #35-1634
Nashville, TN 37235-1634
jennifer.ellis@vanderbilt.edu
615-343-5014 (lab), 615-343-6707 (fax) 

Education 

2003-2008          Ph. D., Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University                          

2000-2003          B. A. Biology, Minor Mathematics, Carson Newman College, magna cum laude

Grants and Awards 

2007                   U.S. Fish and Wildlife Endangered Species Grant

2006                   Student Botany Oral Presentation Award, Tenn. Acad. Sci.

2006                   Vanderbilt University Dissertation Enhancement Grant, $2000

2006                   U.S. Fish and Wildlife Endangered Species Grant, $3000

2003                   Outstanding Graduate in Biology, Carson Newman College 

Publications

Ellis, J. R., K. E. Bentley, D. E. McCauley. (2008) Detection of rare paternal leakage in controlled crosses of the endangered sunflower Helianthus verticillatus. Heredity, 100: 574-580.

McCauley, D. E., J. R. Ellis. (2008) Recombination and linkage disequilibrium among mitochondrial genes in structured populations of the gynodioecious plant Silene vulgaris. Evolution, 62(4): 823-832. 

Ellis, J.R., J. M. Burke (2007). EST-SSRs as a resource for population genetic analyses. Short Review: Heredity 99(2): 125-132.

Ellis, J. R., C. H. Pashley, J. M. Burke, D. E. McCauley (2006). High genetic diversity in a rare and endangered sunflower as compared to a common congener. Molecular Ecology 15(9): 2345-2355. 

Pashley C. H., J. R. Ellis, D. E. McCauley, J. M. Burke (2006). EST Databases as a source for molecular markers: lessons from Helianthus. Journal of Heredity 97(4): 381-388.

Research Experience 

2006-present      Research Assistant, Dept of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University

2002-2003          Undergraduate Researcher, Carson Newman College 

Teaching Experience and Education

2006                   Vanderbilt Center for Teaching Workshops

2003-2006          Teaching Assistant, General Biology Lab, Vanderbilt University

2002                   Teaching Assistant, Zoology for non-majors, Carson Newman College

Invited Seminars

2008                  The Center of Excellence for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University

2006                   Biology Department, Carson Newman College

2006-2008          Secretary, Biological Sciences Graduate Student Association

2002-2003          President, Carson Newman Outdoor Environmental Club  

Contributed Presentations 

Talks 

2007   Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin, Tennessee  

2007   Tennessee Entomological Society; Nashville, Tennessee             

2007   Southeastern Population Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics; GSMNP, Tennessee

2007   Society for the Study of Evolution; Christchurch, New Zealand

2007   Association of Southeastern Biologists; USC, Columbia, South Carolina

2007   Graduate Student Research Day, Vanderbilt University, Nashville

2006   Tennessee Academy of Science; Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee

2005   Society for the Study of Evolution; University of Alaska, Fairbanks

2003   East Tennessee Division Meeting, Tennessee Academy of Science; Knoxville, Tennessee

Poster

2006   Society for the Study of Evolution; SUNY, Stony Brook, New York

 External Courses

 2004   Population Genetics, Summer Institute of Statistical Genetics, NC State University, Weir & Holsinger

Professional Service 

Manuscript Referee: Molecular Ecology, Molecular Ecology Notes, Journal of Heredity, International Journal of Plant Science, Journal of Plant Physiology

Society Membership 

Tennessee Entomological Society

Tennessee Academy of Science

Society for the Study of Evolution

Association of Southeastern Biologists

Society for Conservation Biology

Mentorship Experience 

Kerin Bentley – Vanderbilt University undergraduate

Allyson Sundby - Vanderbilt University undergraduate 

Dissertation Committee

Terry Page, Vanderbilt University - chair

David McCauley, Vanderbilt University - advisor

Patrick Abbot, Vanderbilt University

Carol Baskauf, Austin Peay State University

John Burke, University of Georgia

Daniel Funk, Vanderbilt University