Dr Kane's research uses population genomics and bioinformatics to address ecological and evolutionary questions related to domestication, adaptation and speciation. In sunflower, hemp, mustard and chocolate species, he examines how hybridization shapes evolution, via origin of new hybrid species, the breeding of domesticated plants, and the spread of invasive species. He is also embarking on projects to use genomics and marker-assisted selection develop more disease resistant sunflower cultivars, and additional projects studying wild sunflowers that have adapted to the shifting sands on the highest dunes in North America, at Great Sand Dunes National Park. He is sequencing hundreds of Cannabis genomes to understand the genetic differences between hemp, medical, and wild varieties, and their evolutionary history. Collaborating with Erin Tripp, he has used metagenomics to study lichen evolution and diversity, and the co-evolution of fungi and their photosynthetic symbionts. Collaborating with Brent Hulke, a sunflower breeder at the USDA, he is sequencing thousands of sunflower genomes, as well as hundreds of genomes of flax, Silphium and other species, to improve agriclutural sustainability
EBIO 3080 - Evolutionary Biology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2024
Lect. and lab. Emphasizes the fundamental evolutionary concepts that provide explanations for the diversification of life on Earth. Specific topics include the evidence for evolution, adaptation by natural selection, speciation, systematics, molecular and genome evolution, and macroevolutionary patterns and processes. Recitations allow students to explore specific topics in more depth and smaller groups. Recommended prerequisites: EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1220 (minimum grade C-). Degree credit not granted for this course and EBIO 3680.
EBIO 4460 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024
Familiarizes students with specialized areas of biology. May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours. Recommended prerequisites: EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1220 and EBIO 1230 and EBIO 1240 (minimum grade C-). Same as EBIO 5460.
EBIO 4990 - EBIO Honors Thesis Research
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023
To be taken during the final academic year prior to graduation. Consists of the final phase of honors research and thesis preparation under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Recommended prerequisites: minimum 3.3 GPA and a declared EBIO major and approval by departmental Honors program.
EBIO 5460 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Familiarizes students with specialized areas of biology. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Same as EBIO 4460.
EBIO 6100 - Seminar in Environmental Biology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2024
May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as EBIO 6120.
