Allison Fuiten Awarded Prestigious NSF DDIG
Outstanding news! Allison Fuiten has been awarded a Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant (DDIG) from the National Science Foundation!
This highly competitive award recognizes Allison’s innovative research examining the functional basis of genetic changes underlying the derived vertebrate characters present in pipefish. The DDIG will provide crucial support for her groundbreaking work at the intersection of evolutionary developmental biology and genomics.
About the NSF DDIG
The Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant: - Recognizes exceptional doctoral research nationwide - Has an acceptance rate typically below 10% - Provides funding for advanced research activities - Marks recipients as rising stars in their field - Enables expansion of dissertation scope and impact
Allison’s Research Project
The funded research investigates: - Genetic basis of unique pipefish morphology - Evolution of novel vertebrate characters - Functional genomics of craniofacial development - Mechanisms underlying morphological innovation - Syngnathid fish as models for evolutionary development
Evolutionary Innovation
Pipefish exhibit remarkable derived features including: - Elongated tubular snouts - Loss of pelvic fins - Unique body armor plating - Modified tail structures - Novel feeding mechanisms
Research Approach
Allison’s DDIG-supported work employs: - Comparative genomics across syngnathid species - Functional validation of candidate genes - Developmental time-series analyses - CRISPR genome editing techniques - Advanced imaging methodologies
Scientific Impact
This research advances understanding of: - How novel morphologies evolve - Genetic mechanisms of evolutionary change - Developmental constraints and possibilities - Vertebrate body plan evolution - Adaptation and innovation in marine environments
Career Development
The DDIG provides Allison with: - Independent grant writing experience - Recognition from the scientific community - Enhanced competitiveness for postdoctoral positions - Networking opportunities at NSF events - Track record of funding success
Lab Excellence
This is the second DDIG awarded to a Cresko Lab student in recent years, demonstrating: - Quality of graduate training - Innovation in research programs - Strong mentorship environment - Competitive research proposals
Congratulations Allison on this exceptional achievement!