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==Contact Info==
<div style="padding: 10px; color: #ffffff; background-color: #000; width: 760px">
[[Image:LeviLCOR.jpg|thumb|right|this is me ]]
<center>


*Levi T. Morran


*lmorran@indiana.edu
<font size = 7> Morran Lab </font>


Indiana University
Jordan Hall room 117
1001 E. 3rd St.
Bloomington, IN, USA


<font size = 6> [http://www.biology.emory.edu/ Coming to Emory University January 2014] </font>


I am currently a postdoc in the [http://sites.bio.indiana.edu/~livelylab/ Lively lab] at Indiana University.


Email me if you would like a full version of my CV.
[[Morranlab | <font size = 3.2> <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> '''Home''' </font>]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
[[Morranlab:Contact | <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> '''Contact''' </font>]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
[[Morranlab:Lab Members | <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> '''People''' </font>]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
[[Morranlab:Publications | <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> '''Publications''' </font>]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
[[Morranlab:Research | <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> '''Research''' </font>]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
[[Morranlab:Media Coverage| <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> '''Media''' </font>]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
[[Morranlab:Blog Posts | <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> '''Blogging''' </font>]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;


==Education==
[[Image:serratia.jpg|500px]]
<!--Include info about your educational background-->
* 2009, PhD, University of Oregon


* 2004, BS, Indiana University


==Research interests==
<font size = 4> Evolutionary Genetics/Ecology
I am broadly interested in the factors that either facilitate or constrain '''adaptive evolution'''. More specifically, I explore the role that '''genetic partitioning''', within or between lineages, populations, or species, plays in adaptive evolution. I primarily study two components of biology, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mating_system '''mating systems'''] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coevolution '''coevolution'''], that result in genetic partitioning and consequently can shape the evolutionary trajectory of populations.
of Host-Microbe Interactions and The Evolution of Sex </font>


I utilize [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experimental_evolution '''experimental evolution'''] to directly test hypotheses relating to these topics and determine the manner in which evolution proceeds by characterizing both the phenotypic and genetic changes that occur in evolving populations.


* '''Mating System Evolution'''
Reproduction is a basic requirement in biology. Despite this ubiquitous importance, there are many ways in which organisms reproduce. Even within the category of sexual reproduction, some organisms utilize outcrossing while others are capable of self-fertilization. Although both forms of reproduction may result in the production of genetically variable offspring, each mating system partitions genetic variation differently within and between lineages. I am interested in the selective pressures that favor specific mating systems, the genetic consequences of each mating system, and their overall role in shaping a population or lineage's evolutionary trajectory over time.


* '''Coevolutionary Dynamics'''
http://openwetware.org/images/3/35/04_ISupportOWW.png
Coevolution, reciprocal genetic change between interacting species driven by natural selection, accounts for a significant proportion of the evolutionary change that occurs in nature. This is quite reasonable because most, if not all, species live as members of communities composed of many species. As a result of interactions between species in a community, many species utilize not only their own genome, but also the genome of at least one other species to facilitate both survival and reproduction. Although genes are (usually) naturally partitioned by the species barrier, these inter-species genomic interactions exert selective pressure which can alter the composition of the interacting genomes, and therefore profoundly influence the evolutionary trajectories of the interacting species.
 
The most extreme forms of coevolutionary relationships are parasitism and mutualism. I am currently testing the effects of these extreme relationships on rates of adaptation and determining their role in shaping the genetic architecture of interacting species.
 
* '''Coevolutionary Dynamics that Drive Mating System Evolution'''
The Red Queen Hypothesis predicts that selective pressure from coevolving parasites can select for increased sexual reproduction (or outcrossing) in host populations because sex (or outcrossing) can produce offspring with rare genotypes that may avoid infection. Thus the Red Queen Hypothesis combines my interests (mating systems and coevolution) quite well, and it also happens to be a central component of the research program in the Lively Lab. I am currently using the ''C. elegans'' system to experimentally test Red Queen Hypothesis predictions via experimental evolution.
 
==Collaborators==
*[http://www.uoregon.edu/~pphil/ Jennifer Anderson, University of Oregon, Phillips Lab]
*[http://www.indiana.edu/~bioweb/faculty/directory/profile.php?person=fbasheyv Farrah Bashey-Visser, Indiana University]
*[http://www.bact.wisc.edu/faculty.php?init=HGB Heidi Goodrich-Blair, University of Wisconsin-Madison]
*[http://www.indiana.edu/~curtweb/ Curt Lively, Indiana University]
*[http://www.uoregon.edu/~pphil/ Michelle Parmenter, University of Oregon, Phillips Lab]
*[http://www.uoregon.edu/~pphil/ Patrick Phillips, University of Oregon]
 
==Publications==
<biblio>
#Paper1 Bashey, F., L.T. Morran, and C.M. Lively.  2007.  Coinfection, kin selection, and the rate of host exploitation by a parasitic nematode.  Evolutionary Ecology Research 9: 947-958.
#Paper2 pmid=19210536
#Paper3 pmid=19847164
#Paper4 pmid=20212008
</biblio>
 
==Research in News and Media Coverage==
 
'''Mutation load and rapid adaptation favour outcrossing over self-fertilization:'''
 
[http://f1000biology.com/article/id/1221956 Faculty of 1000 review]
 
[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19924202 News and Views, Agrawal, AF. 2009 Evolutionary biology: Why reproduction often takes two.]
 
[http://comm.uoregon.edu/archive/news-release/2009/10/why-sex-partner-better University of Oregon news release]
 
[http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/10/the_laboratory_worm_turns_fina.html The Oregonian]
 
[http://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2009/10/why_have_sex_with_someone_else_when_you_could_do_it_with_you.php?utm_source=sbhomepage&utm_medium=link&utm_content=channellink Not Exactly Rocket Science]
 
[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2009/10/the-arcs-of-evolutionary-genetics-always-cross-back/ Discover]
 
[http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.aspx?docid=632209 healthfinder.gov]
 
[http://blog.taragana.com/n/why-sex-with-partner-is-always-a-good-idea-203046/ Asian News International]
 
[http://news.cnet.com/8301-27083_3-10380276-247.html CNET News]
 
The following two links include sexual content that may not be suitable for all individuals:
 
[http://www.fark.com/cgi/comments.pl?IDLink=4716118 Fark]
 
[http://www.esarcasm.com/6756/scientists-please-have-sex-with-others/ Esarcasm]
 
==Interests==
These are some organizations that I support:
*[http://www.teamzachary.com/ Team Zachary] raises funds for cancer research in memory of my best friend Zach May.
*[http://adopt.smokymountaingreatdanerescue.org/ Smoky Mountain Great Dane Rescue], run by my brother and his wife, fosters, adopts, and advocates for Great Danes in the Southeastern US.
*[http://ncse.com/ National Center for Science Education] is an organization that advocates for the inclusion of evolution and exclusion of nonscientific "origins" theories in public school science curricula.
*[http://mamatina.org/ Mama Tina Resource Center] is a Kenyan Christian organization that provides care and education for AIDS orphans in Kenya.
*[http://www.heifer.org/ Heifer International] combats poverty and social inequity worldwide by providing communities and families with environmentally sound and sustainable resources, and training them to use those resources responsibly.
 
==Lifetime Collaborators==
 
 
[[Image:Em.jpg|left|thumb|Research Partner]]
 
 
[[Image:wormmag.jpg|left|thumb|Research Assistant #1]]
 
[[Image:Beast.jpg|left|thumb|Research Assistant #2]]
 
==Fun Stuff==
'''Sports'''
 
*[http://www.colts.com/ Indianapolis Colts] I love football!
*[http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=oak Oakland Athletics] I like baseball.
*[http://www.wccs.k12.in.us/cchs/athletics/boys/football/CC%20EAGLES%20FB/index.html Columbia City High School Football] My good friend is the varsity coach, this team is steadily improving and fun to follow.
*[http://www.eugenemarathon.com/ Eugene Marathon] I'm not a runner, but I enjoy running (I've run the half, not the full).
 
'''Music'''
 
*[http://wttsfm.com/ WTTS Fm 92.3] From Dylan to Marley to Dave, they play great music.
*[http://www.carbonleaf.com/ Carbon Leaf] Great band everyone should check out!
*[http://www.matkearney.com/ Mat Kearney] Excellent musician and great performer!
*I've been known to listen to some [http://www.georgestrait.com/ George Strait] every now and then too.
 
'''Movies'''
 
*[http://www.starwarsuncut.com/ Star Wars Uncut] I'm a Star Wars nerd.
 
'''Food'''
 
I like cheeseburgers, burritos, and pizza more than anyone really should. Here are a few of my favorites:
*[http://www.eugenecatering.com/ Cornucopia] Best burgers in Eugene, OR!
*[http://www.opietaylors.com/welcome.html Opie Taylor's] Best burgers in Bloomington, IN!
* Laughing Planet Cafe - Great burritos in [http://www.laughingplanetcafe.com/ Eugene] and [http://thelaughingplanetcafe.com/ Bloomington]!
* The best pizza I've ever eaten was from Humble Pie Pizzeria in Lincoln City OR, they don't have a website, nor does Cafe Pizzeria, a great place for pizza in Bloomington.

Revision as of 06:57, 5 June 2013


Morran Lab


Coming to Emory University January 2014


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Evolutionary Genetics/Ecology of Host-Microbe Interactions and The Evolution of Sex


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