Bradley's Laboratory

		Ryan R. Chambers Teaching Assistant M.S. student, Texas Tech University, Zoology B.S., Texas Tech University, Ecology and Environmental Biology ryan.r.chambers@ttu.edu I am interested in research involving studies of rapidly evolving DNA sequences and their cause and effect on chromosomal evolution. I am also interested in rodent-borne viruses, mainly the Hantavirus, and the species responsible for the transmission and evolution of the disease. Current research projects include an evaluation of the systematic relationships within pocket gophers of the genus Geomys and an examination of two potential hybrid zones in Nebraska involving members of Geomys.  I am also involved in the initial stages of a project in which the collection of small rodents thought to carry Hantavirus from localities in and around Lubbock County will facilitate the study of their natural history and effect of virus positive animals on the human population are studied. Past reasearch involved the study of the evolution of Oryzomyini rodents from Central America.
		John D. Hanson Teaching Assistant Ph.D. student, Zoology, Texas Tech University M.S., Biology, Angelo State University B.S., Biology, Abilene Christian University B.S., Environmental Science, Abilene Christian University My thesis research was foraging differences between the sexes in Ladder-backed woodpeckers. My current research deals with the co-divergence of Oryzomyini rodents and their associated Hantaviruses. Side projects involve exploration of a contact zone between two species of Neotoma, the molecular systematics of the Oryzomys palustris species group and a molecular delineation of the rodents called Oryzomys alfaroi. While most of my current research has been in the lab, I am an active participant in field projects and I have worked in natural history collections for the last ten years. I am also very active in student leadership both within the department of biology as well as the university proper.
		Dallas D. Henson Graduate Student M.S. student, Texas Tech University, Biology B.S., Texas Tech University, Biology dallas.d.henson@ttu.edu I am a new master’s student in Dr. Bradley’s lab. Currently I am working on developing my proficiency in molecular techniques, while working on research with John Hanson. My current research involves using molecular methodology to identify rodent specimens captured during the 2001 and 2004 Sowell expeditions to Ecuador.
		Neal Platt Teaching Student M.S. candidate, Texas Tech University, Zoology B.S., Abilene ChristianUniversity, Biology neal.platt@ttu.edu I am a new M.S. student in Dr. Bradley’s lab.  As of this time, I am spending most of my time learning the molecular techniques associated with phylogenetics, identifying different Peromyscus from the Sowell ’06 Expedition, and aiding John Hanson with his dissertation.
		Cody W. Thompson Research Assistant Ph.D. student, Zoology, Texas Tech University M.S. Biology, Fort Hays State University B.A. Biology, University of Northern Iowa cody.thompson@ttu.edu I am a new PhD student in Dr. Bradley’s lab. Prior to coming to Texas Tech, I attended the University of Northern Iowa and Fort Hays State University. My thesis research identified and characterized the contact zone between the northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda) and the Elliot’s short-tailed shrew (B. hylophaga) in southwestern Iowa and northwestern Missouri. The research involved intensive fieldwork, field karyotyping, and a collaborative effort with the lab of Dr. Russell S. Pfau to do an amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis. A continuation of this work is in the planning stage to evaluate possible hybridization between these two species at this contact zone. Collaborators on this project include Drs. Jerry R. Choate, Elmer J. Finck, Hugh H. Genoways, and Russell S. Pfau. Ongoing projects include the designation of the B. brevicauda neotype, range extensions of the hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) and the least weasel (Mustela nivalis), writing up the Mammalian Species account for B. hylophaga, and a molecular analysis of the woodrats (Neotoma) of El Salvador. Additional research projects in the fields of biogeography, conservation biology, evolution, systematics, taxonomy, and wildlife management are always of interest. Currently, all research at Texas Tech has focused on learning molecular techniques through assisting fellow lab members. However, potential dissertation projects will focus on the relationships and mechanisms of mammalian contact zones, which play a major role in the conceptual development of speciation and evolutionary concepts.

Former Laboratory Associates

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