Monthly Archives: March 2012

The Black Queen Hypothesis

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Danielle Whittaker

A new evolutionary theory proposes that microorganisms may be selected to lose costly functions if another organism can perform them instead. BEACON postdoc Jeffrey Morris, along with professor Richard Lenski and University of Tennessee collaborator Erik Zenser, proposes this explanation … Continue reading →

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Introducing BEACON Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow Joshua Nahum

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Danielle Whittaker

We are pleased to announce that Joshua Nahum is the first recipient of the BEACON Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship. He will be co-sponsored by Rich Lenski and Charles Ofria. First, a little about Josh’s unusual background. Since early grade school, Josh … Continue reading →

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BEACON Researchers at Work: Mathematical modeling of evolution

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Danielle Whittaker

This week’s BEACON Researchers at Work post is by MSU graduate student Masoud Mirmomeni. I bet that the very first time you saw this kind of picture, an unconscious “ahh!” came out. Well, it worked on me. But now, I … Continue reading →

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BEACON Researchers at Work: The social lives of bacteria

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Danielle Whittaker

This week’s BEACON Researchers at Work post is by MSU graduate student Eric Bruger. Why play well with others when you can get away with just looking out for your own self-interest? This is a sentiment not only left to … Continue reading →

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BEACON co-sponsors math and science day for middle school girls at MSU

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Danielle Whittaker

MSU graduate student Michelle Vogel, writer of this post, was one of several BEACONites who participated in this event. While the undergrads were vacant from MSU last week, local middle schoolers descended on campus to learn about science. The Graduate … Continue reading →

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