The goal of this project is to develop genetic resources for Franklin’s ground squirrels. Franklin’s ground squirrels are a native species in Alberta. While not currently listed under the Species At Risk Act (SARA) observational evidence from naturalists indicates that this species has experienced recent declines in abundance. Working collaboration with Dr. Jessica Haines who will be leading field work to assess the current distribution of the species in the province, we will be developing a new set of genetic markers that can help estimate current genetic diversity as well as past population sizes.

The student will develop and screen a microsatellite enriched genetic library to find genetic markers for Franklin’s ground squirrels. Specifically, they will extract genomic DNA, create the library, transform it into E. coli, and then screen colonies for microsatellite markers.

The student will have dedicated space in the Biological Sciences Research Lab. All necessary laboratory supplies, chemical reagents, and computer programs will be supplied to the student. Mentorship and training in laboratory techniques will be provided by myself as well as Dr. David McFadyen. We will have scheduled weekly meetings to discuss progress and troubleshoot any issues which arise, we will also comminate via email or in person between scheduled meetings as needed.