Jer Pin Chong, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Biological Sciences
Contact
Building & Room:
4285 SELE
Address:
950 S. Halsted St.
Office Phone:
Email:
About
I am a teaching faculty, and teaching has always been my passion. I am currently teaching BioS 230 Ecology and Evolution and coordinating BioS 310 Genetics Laboratory. BioS 230 offers students an overview of the evolutionary processes that drive biodiversity in nature, as well as how organisms interact with their environment. BioS 310 is a CURE (Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience) course, in which students have the opportunity to design and conduct authentic DNA barcoding projects. The course is designed to give students hands-on experience with molecular laboratory techniques such as DNA extraction and sequencing, PCR, bacterial culturing, transformation, and CRISPR. In addition, students will develop scientific communication skills and gain experience in writing research papers.
My research focuses on the conservation genetics of freshwater mussels and plants. I am particularly interested in applying principles of population genetics to wildlife conservation. Freshwater mussels are among the most endangered fauna in North America, and they have unique reproductive strategies, which include a parasitic life stage on host fish. Some species develop modified lures that mimic aquatic invertebrates to attract these host fish. I use molecular data to address taxonomic uncertainties and explore the genetic structure of freshwater mussel and plant populations.
I am committed to supporting international and underrepresented students in achieving academic success.
Selected Publications
(Complete list of publications on Google Scholar)
- Chong, J.P., J. Minnaert‐Grote, D.N. Zaya, M.V. Ashley, J. Coons, J.M. Ramp Neale, B. Molano‐Flores. 2024. Genetic diversity and structure of Physaria on the Kaibab Plateau: Implications for conservation. Ecology and Evolution, 14(11). https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70523.
- Ashley, M.V., J.P. Chong, J. Luers, J.R. Backs. 2022. The Lonely Life of a Champion Tree, Aesculus glabra. Forest, 13(10): 1537.
- Jinga, P., J. Palagi, J. P. Chong, and E. D. Bobo. 2020. Climate change reduces the natural range of African wild loquat (Uapaca kirkiana Müll. Arg., Phyllanthaceae) in south-central Africa. Regional Environmental Change 20: 108.
- Chong, J.P. and K.J. Roe. 2018. A comparison of genetic diversity and population structure of the endangered scaleshell mussel (Leptodea leptodon), the fragile papershell (Leptodea fragilis) and their host-fish the freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens). Conservation Genetics, 19: 425-437.
- Chong, J.P., J.L. Harris, and K.J. Roe. 2016. Incongruence between mtDNA and nuclear data in the freshwater mussel genus Cyprogenia (Bivalvia: Unionidae). Ecology and Evolution, 6: 2439-2452.
- Mock, K.E., J.C. Brim Box, J.P. Chong, J.K. Howard, D.A. Nez, D. Wolf, and R.S. Gardner. 2010. Genetic structuring in the freshwater mussel Anodonta corresponds with major hydrologic basins in the western United States. Molecular Ecology, 19: 569-591.
- Fernandes, É.K.K., C.A. Keyser, J.P. Chong, D.E.N. Rangel, M.P. Miller, and D.W. Roberts. 2010. Characterization of Metarhizium species and varieties based on molecular analysis, heat tolerance and cold activity. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 108: 115-128.
- Mock, K.E., B.J. Bentz, E.M. O’Neill, J.P. Chong, J. Orwin, and M.E. Pfrender. 2007. Landscape-scale genetic variation in a forest outbreak species, the Mountain Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae). Molecular Ecology, 16: 553-568.
Education
PhD, Iowa State University
MS, Utah State University
BS, Utah State University