Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Biology
University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA
ed.james@bio.miami.edu
About Me
My current work looks at the molecular mechanisms of integration, mediation, and conflict in endosymbiosis, using the aphid/Buchnera system as a model. In particular I’m interested in how an organism’s existing genetic repertoire can be coopted and repurposed in symbiotic contexts. I enjoy using both laboratory and computational techniques to answer research questions, and look to work at the intersection of these two approaches to generate insightful datasets. I enjoy spreading my own research in scientific and non-scientific communities, and also work with students from elementary and high school age through to undergraduate level to share my passion for science as a way of asking answerable questions, and promoting the possibility of a career in STEM subjects for people who are currently underrepresented.
I enjoy designing and producing tools to streamline education and research within the field of genetics (my 3d printable models can be found here), and outside of the lab I enjoy cooking, brewing beer, woodwork, and powerlifting.
Education
2016-present Ph.D. Biology. University of Miami
2014-2015 MSc in Science, Technology, and Society. University College London
2011-2014 BSc(hons) in Biology. University of Sheffield
Grants Fellowships and Academic Awards
Max and Peggy Kriloff Student Travel Scholarship, University of Miami. 2018
University of Miami Evoy Award, 2017, 2018
Second place poster award – University Miami Biology Department Symposium, 2017
Publications
James, E. B., Feng, H. & Wilson, A. C. C. 2018. G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics. mTOR Complex 1 Implicated in Aphid/Buchnera Host/Symbiont Integration. https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.118.200398
Talks and Posters
Interrogating mTORC1 signaling in endosymbiosis. Talk at University Miami Biology Department Symposium, 11 January 2019. Miami FL
The role of mTOR at a symbiotic interface. Talk at Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting. 3-7 January 2019. Tampa, FL
Annotation and differential expression of the mTOR pathway in aphids. Poster at South-Eastern Evolution and Ecology Conference, 5-7 October 2018. Coral Gables, FL.
Annotation and differential expression of the mTOR pathway in aphids. Poster at ‘Microbial Symbioses with Invertebrate hosts’, American Society for Microbiology: Microbe, 7-11 June 2018. Atlanta, GA
Annotation and expression analysis of the mTOR pathway in two species of aphid. Poster at University Miami Biology Department Symposium, 12 January 2018. Miami, FL
Theses
2015. How does Crowdfunding change Science?
Outreach
University of Miami BioReach Program station leader. 2018 Nov 9th, Nov 16th
University of Miami BioReach Program student coordinator. 2016, Feb 17th, Feb 24th, and March 1st
2014-2018 Social Media Officer for Twinkle Space Mission
2013-2016 Nine months training volunteers and performing conservation-centric community outreach.
Field Experience
12/28/2016 – 1/24/2017 Field Ecology: Skills for Science and Beyond. Organization for Tropical Studies, Costa Rica.
2013-2016 Wildtracks Belize. Nine months rehabilitating primates and manatees. Post-release tracking to assist with masters projects.
2013 Tropical Biology Field Course: Borneo. Gap dynamics and insect behavior at Danum Valley