James Sikes

Advisor: Dr. Alexa Bely

Previous Education:
B.S. Biology Furman University, Greenville, SC

Research Interests:
I am broadly interested in the evolution of asexual reproduction, regeneration, and symbiosis in marine invertebrates. My research focuses on a group of closely related acoel worms in the genus Convolutriloba, which possess remarkably different modes of asexual division, amazing abilities of regeneration, and an obligate symbiosis with unicellular algae. By tracing phylogenetic relationships within this genus, I hope to elucidate the evolutionary pathways that have led to the development of these variable asexual reproductive strategies as well as the evolution of the symbiotic association with algal cells. I also plan to determine potential differences in development and gene expression that occur at different stages of asexual reproduction and regeneration in this group of acoels. This species demonstrates a remarkable form of asexual reproduction by producing posterior buds that have a reversed anterior/posterior polarity relative to the parent.

Publications/Presentations:
Sikes, J.M. & Bely, A.E. 2005. Regeneration and asexual reproduction in acoels of the
genus Convolutriloba. Poster presentation at Society of Integrative and Comparative
Biology annual conference, San Diego, CA.

Sikes, J.M. & Bely, A.E. 2006. Development and evolution of diverse asexual
reproductive strategies in Convolutriloba acoels. Poster presentation at Integrating
Evolution, Development, and Genomics conference, Berkeley, CA.

Awards:
2007 BEES Best Student Presentation Award
2005 University of Maryland Graduate Teaching Award, Dept. of Biology
2004-05 University of Maryland Distinguished Teaching Assistant
2004 University of Maryland Janie Pritchard Award for Graduate Teaching
Assistants