Mary Badger - Graduate Group in Ecology
Research Interests
I am interested in using novel genomic tools to further species conservation research.
Campbell, M. A., Badger, M. E., Buckmaster, N., Starostka, A. B., Hawks, T., & Finger, A. J. (2023). Molecular phylogenetic and
population genetic relationships of a putative species of sucker (Catostomus sp.) from Surprise Valley in the Great Basin, USA. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 152(3), 273-286.
Badger, M., Tucker, S. J., Grattepanche, J. D., & Katz, L. A. (2017). Rapid turnover of ciliate community members in New
England tide pools. Aquatic Microbial Ecology, 80(1), 43-54.
For the past two years, I have worked as a lab technician at the Genomic Variation Laboratory at UC Davis on the conservation of endangered native fish species, such as the Delta smelt and the Paiute Cutthroat trout, using genomic techniques.
For my Master’s research, I will have the opportunity to lead my first study investigating the diet of American Kestrels using genomic techniques.
Other research experience I have includes using genomic techniques to track the invasion of the non-native European green crab in Maine, monitoring Piping Plovers and Least Terns with Maine Audubon, and authoring a paper on the spatial distribution of marine ciliates in tide pools. I am thrilled to be able to continue using molecular techniques to provide rapid and noninvasive monitoring of wild populations at UC Davis as a Master’s student.