Austin Kerker ’26, Molecular Biology

Austin Kerker ’26

Major

Molecular Biology

Project Title

Competition-induced Evolution in a Seasonal Environment

The goal of this project was to study competition-induced evolution between pairwise combinations of four species of fruit flies as the seasons changed from May to October and to study the subsequent effect of this evolution on competitive dynamics among the species. My main responsibilities throughout were making fly food, switching out the food in 170 cages, counting fly census pictures and vials and reading the literature on competition-induced evolution. From this experience, I acquired knowledge on previous studies regarding competition-induced evolution as well as many ecological and evolutionary processes that are essential for adaptation and coexistence. Ultimately, this internship has greatly helped me to refine my major choice and possible career paths. Although I am switching my major to molecular biology and no longer pursuing a career in ecological research, I will always have an interest in learning about ecology and evolutionary biology.

* This internship is connected to the HMEI Biodiversity Grand Challenges project, “The Maintenance of Species Diversity through the Rapid Evolution of Competitive Ability.”