A workshop in collaboration with CUSO doctoral program in Ecology and Evolution

Organizers : Christian Lexer (University of Fribourg), Daniel Wegmann (University of Fribourg), Heinz Müller-Schärer (University of Fribourg), Alex Widmer, ETH Zurich

• Dr Nicolas Bierne , CNRS Montpellier, France
• Prof. Alex Buerkle , University of Wyoming, USA
• Dr Tanja Pyhäjärvi, Univesity of Oulu, FI
• Prof. Mikkel H. Schierup , Aarhus University, Danemark
• Prof. Ole Seehausen , EAWAG, Switzerland
• Prof. John Wiens , University of Arizona, USA

Rapid recent progress in ecological & evolutionary genomics is imparting fresh perspectives to the study of speciation, i.e. the origin and maintenance of biological diversity. The 2014 CUSO Fribourg Ecology & Evolution days will address current key issues concerning the genomics of the speciation continuum.

In this 2-day workshop, we will :

• (1) explore the use of so-called ‘next generation sequencing’ (NGS) approaches in research on the origin and breakdown of species barriers
• (2) discuss applications of the expanding ‘tool box’ available for these novel types of data, including scaling-up of population genomics to multi-species settings
• (3) translate available theory into hypotheses that are both relevant and testable, with the goal of identifying current research gaps and promising avenues for future work.

We have invited 6 experts with different perspectives on the topic, including theoreticians, developers of analytical and software tools, and empirical workers with experience in applying NGS to the genomics of speciation.

PhD students and PostDocs will have the chance to present their own research on the workshop theme and discuss with the experts in interactive small discussion groups.

Our goal will be an intensive exchange across sub-disciplines and taxa, and between experts and students.

Dates : 4-5 September 2014

Schedule : see workshop web site (to be announced)

Location: University of Fribourg, Plant Sciences builiding (Rue A. Gockel 3, lecture hall 0.110)

ECTS : 1.0 (full attendance) - 1.5 (with presentation poster/talk ) (category Scientific activities)

Information : Please contact directly the organizers

Registration fee : Conference attendance is free for PhD students of the DP-biol and DPEE.

Thursday evening dinner : 25.- for PhD students of the DP-biol in organismal biology and DPEE (50.- for all others)
IMPORTANT: This will have to be paid cash in Swiss Francs upon arrival at the registration desk and is non refundable.

Accommodation : no reimbursement

Travel expenses :  MAKE SURE you SIGN the ATTENDANCE LIST EACH and EVERY DAY

• For participants of the CUSO doctoral program in Ecology and Evolution (DPEE), see CUSO E&E web site.
• Participants of the doctoral program in organismal biology (DP-biol) who are NOT member of DPEE are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train (half-fare card, and 2nd class) from their home University to Fribourg (more information click here ).

 You are not a member of DP-biol? Why not register now? It's free!

Registration through the web site of the CUSO doctoral program Ecology and Evolution: closed

Deadline: 1st August 2014

Please note the cancellation policy (CHF 25).