We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our 2020 early career scientist advocates.

an early career scientist on the career subcommittee

Michelle Jonika

Career Development Subcommittee

Department of Biology, Texas A&M University

PhD Candidate

Research Interest

Sex chromosomes, which are chromosomes that segregate differently among the sexes, have evolved independently across many lineages of plants and animals. The classic model of XY sex chromosome evolution begins with a pair of identical sex chromosomes, the X and the Y. Through a series of genetic processes there is a loss of functional gene content and eventual degradation of the Y chromosome over time. Despite an interplay of degradation and retention of the Y chromosome, a small region of homology—the pseudoautosomal region (PAR)—persists in most species. This region maintains recombination and is essential to facilitate proper pairing and segregation of the sex chromosomes during meiosis. When this pairing process fails, the result is offspring with either the loss or gain of a sex chromosome. 

What happens to sex chromosomes once this region of homology becomes very small? Current technologies limit determination of the PAR to very expensive and time-consuming strategies that are not feasible to scale across the tree of life. My research focus is on finding bioinformatics methods that will allow us to identify the size of the PAR region across the mammalian tree of life. I plan to first develop bioinformatics methods that are better able to determine this feature of sex chromosomes in mammals, and then work to answer the question above applying my newly developed methodology across the mammalian tree of life. Ultimately, I hope to test outcomes that we do not currently have the data to investigate, which have been previously predicted for highly diverged sex chromosomes.

As a PhD-trained scientist, you have many career options. What career paths interest you the most?

My time in research thus far has allowed me to see the aspects of science I really enjoy and determine which skills and strengths from academia I can apply  toward crafting a successful career in industry. I have realized that though I enjoy having a fluid schedule and the ability to impact students through teaching and outreach, I most enjoy having structure to my day and the ability to focus my time on only a handful of technical problems. Academia has given me a toolkit that I will use to set up good habits for my transition into industry, including time management skills, the ability to learn quickly, the ability to communicate and collaborate with others, and taking personal initiative to put my best work forward. I would enjoy a position in my future career where I can apply these skills and be in a fast-paced environment learning new and exciting things every day.

Something I also find important is a career that fosters a good support system. Ideally this would include both the ability to mentor and teach, as well as the opportunity to be mentored by others. I have enjoyed my mentoring impact while performing research, and I find that the ability to learn and teach others from diverse backgrounds allows both my mentee and myself to grow as people and produce great work. Overall, I hope to find a career where I can be a leader and engage with a collaborative team to accomplish goals and develop ourselves as scientists. 

In addition to your research, how else do you want to advance the scientific enterprise?

As an early career scientist, I have seen how important science communication is to the progress of science. The more effort scientists take to share our research and knowledge with the public and scientific community at large, the more we can advance the progress of science in society as a whole. When scientists are able to effectively communicate their knowledge and research beyond their labs and universities and even to a broader non-scientific audience, it allows for knowledgeable dissemination of information and can influence legislation and regulation. As a science communicator, I hope to clearly and concisely facilitate discussion around the science and technology that impacts each of us every day so that we all can make informed, science-backed decisions about our health and environment, among other things. Building a multi-directional connection between scientists and our communities is important so both parties learn from each other to create a more scientifically literate future.

Connections and trust are built within each of our communities, and we as scientists can better tackle life-threatening events such as COVID-19 by ensuring that the general public has access to accurate and scientifically-backed resources. As the number of vaccine-hesitant and scientifically skeptical Americans increases, I believe it is our job as scientists to ensure we are properly educating those around us so each person has the proper resources in hand to make well-informed decisions. Through these dialogues and connections, we can continue to build greater trust between the public and the scientific community and help the public make more educated medical decisions.

 As a leader within the Genetics Society of America, what do you hope to accomplish?

As a member of the Career Development Subcommittee, I am excited to work with other early career researchers to navigate career options and curate resources. I want to explore options in industry for my future career, and this committee has given me the opportunity to not only navigate these options for myself but also to bring this knowledge to other ECRs. In addition, the Career Development Subcommittee contributes blog pieces to the Decoding Life series, highlighting multiple career paths after a genetics PhD. As I contribute to this series, I hope to engage with professionals in diverse fields to add to an already excellent range of career paths. I also personally hope to accomplish learning how to conduct informational interviews and network with other scientists outside of my direct field. This will ultimately benefit not only the blog series but also my future career advancements as well. 

Previous Leadership Experience

Connect with Michelle Jonika on Twitter and LinkedIn.

,

Graduate student and postdoctoral leaders from the Early Career Scientist Committees of the GSA.

View all posts by Early Career Scientist Committees »

Read more in

  • Collage of 2021 Rosalind Franklin Award recipients

    Where are they now? Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award recipients share updates on their research

    Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award applications are open–make sure you submit your application or nomination of a colleague by September 30, 2024.

  • University of Minnesota researchers map genome of the last living wild horse species

    The study, published in G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, is part of larger conservation efforts to save Przewalski’s horse.

  • Congratulations to the Spring 2024 DeLill Nasser Awardees!

    GSA is pleased to announce the recipients of the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics for Spring 2024! Given twice a year to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, DeLill Nasser Awards support attendance at meetings and laboratory courses. The award is named in honor of DeLill Nasser, a long-time GSA supporter and National Science Foundation…

  • Carolyn Damilola headshot

    Carolyn Damilola: an NFS Rising Scientist on a lifelong quest to learn more

    Carolyn Damilola is an NFS Rising Scientist from Nigeria doing respiratory system research and paving the way for scientists from underrepresented communities through mentorship.

  • Text over a blue background image: Apply for up to $2,000 for your project from the Starter Culture Microgrant Program.

    What does a good microgrant proposal look like?

    Members of the Microgrant Review Committee share their tips for a successful proposal.

  • A blurred image of a human face is shown against a dark background.

    The first piece of the facial recognition puzzle

    New research in GENETICS gives a first peek at the molecular pathway involved in recognizing faces.

  • New Senior Editor Amy MacQueen joins GENETICS

    A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Genome Integrity and Transmission section. We’re excited to welcome Amy MacQueen to the editorial team.

  • Close up of an adult zebrafish with blue and white stripes in an aquarium with red lighting.

    Block party on the zebrafish sex chromosome

    Research in G3 identifies a gene regulatory block of the zebrafish genome responsible for overseeing the maternal-to-zygotic-transition.

  • Lemna Minor, the common duckweed

    Unraveling the mysteries of duckweed: epigenetic insights from Spirodela polyrhiza

    Research published in G3 offers insight into the impact of DNA methylation on clonal propagation in asexually reproducing plants.

  • Luciano Marraffini headshot

    A microbiologist’s quest to understand CRISPR in bacterial self-defense

    2024 Genetics Society of America Medal recipient Luciano Marraffini determined how CRISPR-Cas systems destroy genetic targets with precision, paving the way for gene editing technology development.

  • Elaine Ostrander headshot

    Unlocking mysteries of trait and disease heritability in dogs

    2024 Edward Novitski Prize recipient Elaine Ostrander, a pioneer of the domestic dog model, discovered numerous genes affecting dog size, morphology, behavior, and disease susceptibility—many of which have relevance in humans.

  • NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS Grant to Support Culture Change in Genetics

    GSA and collaborators Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue and Reclaiming STEM Institute launch NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS project to support culture change in genetics 

    We are thrilled to announce that the Genetics Society of America (GSA) is collaborating with the Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue (PGED) based in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, and the Reclaiming STEM Institute (RSI) on a Leading Culture Change Through Professional Societies of Biology (BIO-LEAPS) grant from the U.S. National Science…

  • Daman Saluja: Navigating Science and Policy in India

    In the Paths to Science Policy series, we talk to individuals who have a passion for science policy and are active in advocacy through their various roles and careers. The series aims to inform and guide early career scientists interested in science policy. This series is brought to you by the GSA Early Care­er Scientist…

  • Deborah Andrew headshot

    A fly geneticist’s journey into discovering rules of organ development

    2024 George W. Beadle Award recipient Deborah Andrew discovered new genes and pathways in Drosophila salivary gland organogenesis. Now, her work can help optimize cell secretion in therapeutic applications and fight malaria.

  • Małgorzata Gazda's headshot

    Małgorzata Gazda: How receiving the DeLill Nasser Award helped her land her dream job

    Have you ever experienced an event that changes the course of your life, or in this case, your career? Małgorzata (Gosia) Gazda is Assistant Professor at the University of Montreal and in 2022, she received the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics, which she used to attend and present at the 2022 Population,…

  • Hongyu Zhao joins GENETICS as new Senior Editor

    A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Statistical Genetics and Genomics section. We’re excited to welcome Hongyu Zhao to the editorial team.

  • Julio Molina Pineda at TAGC 2024

    GSA Member Julio Molina Pineda Receives DeLill Nasser Award, Shines at TAGC 2024 

    “At any career stage, the GSA membership is an amazing investment for any genetics professional!” Julio Molina Pineda is a PhD Candidate in Cell and Molecular Biology and a Research Assistant at the University of Arkansas, and a Doctoral Academy Fellow at the Lewis Lab. In 2023, Julio was awarded the DeLill Nasser Award for…

  • Ed Grell at his dissecting microscope using ether to anesthetize his flies.

    In Memoriam: Ellsworth Herman Grell (1932–2023), a pioneer of Drosophila genome engineering and annotation

    Ellsworth (Ed) Grell blessed the Drosophila community through three enduring legacies: as a pioneer of chromosome mechanics, as a primary organizer and synthesizer of genetic knowledge in Drosophila, and as a graceful mentor to those fortunate to have known him personally. Ed grew up in rural Nebraska, completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State, and…

  • Congratulations to the #Fungal24 Poster Award winners!

    We are pleased to announce the recipients of the GSA Poster Awards for posters presented at the 32nd Fungal Genetics Conference! Undergraduate and graduate student members of GSA were eligible for the awards, and a hard-working team of judges made the determinations. Congratulations to all! Felicia Ebot Ojong, The University of Georgia My research is focused…

  • Poster presentation tips for TAGC 2024

    You’ve been selected to present a poster at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March—you’ve celebrated, made plans to attend, now what? This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your research and engage with fellow members of the genetics community, so you want to make sure you’re prepared. We wanted to offer you some tips…

  • Maximize your TAGC 2024 experience 

    A guide to all that National Harbor & DC have to offer Are you joining us for The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March? Make the most of your #TAGC24 experience in National Harbor! We know the science will keep you busy, but you deserve to unwind and have some fun, so we’ve curated a…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Petrosky

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah PetroskyMultimedia SubcommitteeUniversity of Pittsburgh Research Interest I am interested in understanding adaptation that has been happening recently in populations by dissecting the ways that genes underlying an adaptation…

  • TAGC 2024 Early Career Award Winners

    GSA is pleased to announce the winners of the early career awards presented at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024. These awards are specific to particular TAGC communities and recognize early career scientists’ outstanding work on their respective research organisms. The awardees will present their talks in keynote sessions at TAGC 2024.  Don’t miss the opportunity…

  • Preeminent geneticists recognized with revamped GSA Awards

    In 2022, GSA’s Board of Directors launched an audit to review the five major awards conferred by the Society. Today, we are thrilled to announce the recipients of the reimagined GSA Awards, including the new Genetics Society of America Early Career Medal. The scientists honored this year are recognized by their peers for their outstanding…

  • Fly Board funds outreach programs to spread the word about Drosophila research

    In 2020, the Fly Board voted to use part of its reserve fund to support efforts to increase trainee participation as well as equity and diversity in the Drosophila community. An awards committee decides how the money will be spent each year, and from 2020–2022, the committee posted a very broad call for applications from…

  • New members of the GSA Board of Directors: 2024–2026

    We are pleased to announce the election of four new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors: 2024 Vice President/2025 President Brenda Andrews Professor, University of Toronto It’s an honor to continue my association with the Society by serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors. I have broad knowledge of the ongoing activities…

  • The Fly Meeting is one-of-a-kind! Dros 2025 organizers share their excitement

    The 66th Annual Drosophila Research Conference promises to be a meeting rich with the latest in Drosophila research as well as opportunities to advance your career and connect with a global community of 1,400+ scientists. The organizers Todd Nystul, Michelle Bland, Leila Rieder, Amanda Crocker, and Justin Crocker are hard at work, planning a conference…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Olufemi Osonowo

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Olufemi Adekunle OsonowoCareer Development SubcommitteeDalhousie University Research Interest Metabolomics and genomics are two distinct but complimentary approaches that offer valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of complex traits, such…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Hector Mendoza

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Hector MendozaCommunication and Outreach SubcommitteeUniversity of Michigan Research Interest My research goals converge around the evolution of sexual reproduction. During my doctoral program, I investigated mitochondrial inheritance, a mechanism…