About Me
I am a programmer, teacher, field biologist, and NSF research fellow at the University of Connecticut. I create, process, and analyze genomic data to rigorously answer novel questions. I have experience in researching and communicating primary scientific literature, experimental design, statistical analyses, and programming associated with next generation DNA sequencing. I believe teaching is fundamental obligation of modern science, and integrate this philosophy into my work with peers and students.
Education
Graduate Student, University of Connecticut, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 2013-present
Major Advisor: Elizabeth Jockusch, Ph.D.
Bachelor of Science, American University, Department of Biology 2007-2011
Thesis Advisor: David Carlini, Ph.D.
Senior Thesis: “Isolating Microsatellite Sequences for Development of Microsatellite Primers for Cave and Surface Amphipod Gammarus minus.”
Research Projects
Reconstructing the complex evolutionary history of Western North American skinks
- Testing a variety of methods to detect parallel speciation in western North American Plestiodon skiltonianus complex skinks
- Examining contemporary reproductive barriers acting in the Plestiodon skiltonianus complex, as related to body size and juvenile tail color
- Determining the adaptive role of pink juvenile tails in select clades of Plestiodon gilberti and Plestiodon lagunensis skinks
Reconstructing the evolutionary history of squamates
- Testing support for root placements in the squamate molecular data set of Wiens et al. 2012 to resolve differences between morphological and molecular phylogenies of Squamata
Research Awards
- 2016: University of Connecticut Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship – $2000
- 2015: University of Connecticut Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Zoology Award – $1100
- 2015: ASIH Frederick (Dick) and Helen Gaige Award – $500
- 2015: Herpetologists’ League EE Williams Research Grant Award – 2nd place; honorable mention
- 2014: SSAR Grants in Herpetology, Laboratory category – $500
- 2014: Society for the Study of Evolution Rosemary Grant Award – $2461
- 2014: University of Connecticut Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and CT Museum of Natural History, Ralph M. Wetzel Vertebrate Research Award – $400
- 2014: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow
- 2011: University Honors in Biology, magna cum laude
- 2010: Best natural science poster by a junior/senior, American University Mathias Student Research Conference
- 2008: Stephen J. Grebe Award for undergraduate summer research
Presentations
Frank, A., Jonathan Richmond, Alan Lemmon, Emily Lemmon, and Elizabeth Jockusch. Testing the parallel speciation hypothesis using phylogenomic data in Californian skinks (Plestiodon). Evolution 2016. Austin, TX. June 2016. PDF
Frank, A. Detecting Parallel Speciation of Western North American Skinks (Plestiodon): A Coalescent Approach. Oral presentation. University of Connecticut Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Tuesday Evening Seminar Series. Storrs, CT. October, 2014.
Frank, A. Parallel Speciation of Two Western North American Skinks (Plestiodon). Oral Presentation. University of Connecticut Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Student Symposium. Storrs, CT. March, 2014.
Frank, A., and Carlini, D. Isolating Microsatellite Sequences for Development of Microsatellite Primers for Cave and Surface Amphipod Gammarus minus. Oral presentation. American University Mathias Student Research Conference. Washington, DC. May, 2011 PDF
Frank, A., and Norenburg, J. Species delimitation of two nemertean worms: effective application of DNA barcoding. Poster presentation. American University Mathias Student Research Conference. Washington, DC. May, 2010 PDF
Courses I Teach
Fall 2017: Teaching Assistant, Principles of Biology – University of Connecticut
Summer 2015 & 2016: Instructor, Field Herpetology – University of Connecticut
Spring 2015 & 2016: Instructor, MCAT/DAT Test Preparation Course Topics Diversity of Life and Ecology – University of Connecticut Enrichment Programs
Fall 2014: Guest Lecture in Bioinformatics and Genomic Applications: “R applications for phylogenetics”
Fall 2013 – Spring 2014: Teaching Assistant, Foundations of Biology – University of Connecticut
Fall 2011 – Spring 2013: Secondary Science Teacher – Hartford Public High School, Hartford, CT
Software
Press
- Three Graduate Students Earn NSF Research Fellowships
- Biology Students Shed New Light on Obscure Species
Contact Information
Email: andrew.frank@uconn.edu
Phone: (845) 728-6551
Office: BPB 322
Mailing Address: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Connecticut
75 N. Eagleville Road Unit 3043
Storrs, CT 06269
