Program
Recruitment Processes Program

Location
Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, Washington.

Project Description
Forensic fisheries science? This project involves using techniques to conduct DNA sequencing to establish species identity of select marine fishes and invertebrates. DNA sequencing will be done using fish eggs and larvae, digested fish prey remains, and cryptic crustaceans that have been difficult or impossible to identify by conventional morphometric and meristic approaches. This effort supports the NOAA Fisheries mission by improving the accuracy of species identification in ichthyoplankton surveys, food habits studies and invertebrate surveys in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Aleutian Islands. In addition, the generation of mitochondrial DNA sequences in related species (e.g. sculpins) presents the opportunity for investigating systematic relationships within these groups, as well as the potential for new species discovery.

As part of the internship, the intern will maintain a laboratory notebook and will participate in the editing and submission of DNA sequences to public databases (e.g. GenBank, FISH-BOL). Intern will be trained in basic molecular genetics techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis and sequencing. In addition, the intern will learn the software required to edit and manipulate DNA sequence data for submission to public databases and for phylogenetic analyses. If we are successful in developing diagnostic restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) protocols for selected species, the intern will share co-authorship on any associated publications.

Field Work Description
none.

Qualifications Required
Capable of working independently, good organizational skills, capable of paying close attention to details of laboratory work. Proficiency in Excel desired but not required.