Stephen Ficklin, Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture, Pullman, WA

Ficklin’s research program has two primary foci: (i) development of cyberinfrastructure for management, analysis and publication of large-scale genomic, genetic and breeding data, and (ii) development of system genetic models for discovery of genes underlying traits of agricultural importance by developing novel approaches to reduce noise in gene co-expression networks through creation of new software tools and approaches.  Integration of high-throughput phenomics data occurs within both foci. His lab is currently collaborating with Jill Wegrzyn, Ph.D. of the University of Connecticut to expand the NSF-funded Tripal software to support management of large-scale phenomic data, another potential project for students.

Program Description:

Ficklin lab is developing software to perform gene co-expression networks, that has the potential to integrate high-throughput genomics, systems genetics, and phenomics data. In an ongoing systems genetics project, models are being developed for data involving nine accessions of lentils with variable susceptibility to Aphanomyces root rot. This work uses RNA-seq transcriptomic measurements to construct co-expression networks integrated with RGB and hyper-spectral imaging phenomics data. Students will learn the function and operation of available tools, and may assist with development of the gene co-expression network.

Location: Pullman, WA