A. Education
2011-2016 Ph.D. Molecular Biology Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
2009-2011 M.S. Biology Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
2004-2008 B.S. Biology Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
B. Professional Development
2018-present Instructor, Department of Biology, Eastern New Mexico University
2018 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Temple University, Dept. of Biology, Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine
2017-2018 Bioinformatician, RTL Genomics, Lubbock, TX
2016-2017 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Texas Tech University, Dept. of Biological Sciences
2011-2016 Graduate Research Assistant, Mississippi State University, Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
May 2012 Teaching Assistant, Mississippi State University, Rural Medical Scholars, Biology
2009-2011 Teaching Assistant, Texas State University, Department of Biology, Undergraduate Genetics
2008 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Texas Tech University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Field Herpetology
2007-2008 Undergraduate Research Assistant, Texas Tech University, Dept. of Biological Sciences
C. Classes Taught
BIOL2110 - Subcellular Biology
BIOL1110 - General Biology
BIOL304 - Genetics
BIOL435 - Bioinformatics
BIOL435 Spring 2021 Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYnXcxXAJRzScqIPNXaDs-QCQq4tlI_k_
D. Grant Monies Earned
2013 Graduate Student Bridge grant, Mississippi State University ($17,000)
2010 Travel Grant, Texas State University ($354)
2010 Travel Grant, Texas State University ($150)
2009 Research Grant, Crocodilian Specialist Group ($1000)
2008 Travel Grant, Texas Tech University Association of Biologists ($300)
E. Invited Presentations
Vandewege, M.W. 2016 Salivary glands and selection in mammals. Biology 2101 Seminal, Texas Tech University.
Vandewege M.W. 2015. Defending the genome against space invaders. Eastern New Mexico University. STEM seminar series.
Vandewege M.W. 2015. On the frontline of genome defense: PIWI proteins and piRNAs. Texas Tech University. Evolution, Ecology and Behavior seminar series.
Vandewege M.W., R.N. Platt II, D.A. Ray, F.G. Hoffmann. 2014. Interplay Between Transposable Elements and PIWI Interactitng RNAs Among Laurasiatherian Mammals. Plant and Animal Genomes.
F Student led Presentations and Posters
Gutierrez, J*, R.N. Platt, J.C. Opazo, D.A. Ray, F.G. Hoffmann, M.W. Vandewege. 2021. Evolutionary History of the Piwi gene family. Evolution
Bendzus, H* and M.W. Vandewege. 2021 Olfactory receptors in Testudines adapt to changes in habitat use. Evolution.
Gutierrez, J*, R.N. Platt, J.C. Opazo, D.A. Ray, F.G. Hoffmann, M.W. Vandewege. 2020. Evolutionary History of the Piwi gene family. New Mexico Academy of Sciences
F. Selected Presentations
Vandewege M.W., R.N. Platt, D.K. Merriman, D.A. Ray, F.G. Hoffmann. 2021 The piRNA ping-pong cycle is relaxed in the 13-lined ground squirrel. Evolution
Vandewege M.W. and C.D. Phillips. 2016. Adaptation of salivary glands in response to diet in Phyllostomid bats. North American Society for Bat Research.
Vandewege M.W., R.N. Platt II, D.A. Ray, F.G. Hoffmann. 2013. Evolutionary dynamics of piRNA/PIWI proteins and transposable elements in three Laurasiatherians. Society of Molecular Biology and Evolution.
Vandewege M.W., R.N. Platt II, D.A. Ray, F.G. Hoffmann. 2013. Variable targeting of transposable elements by piRNA/PIWI proteins in two Laurasiatherians. Evolution.
Vandewege, M.W., M.R.J. Forstner, P. Crump. 2012. The use of genetic markers to trace the fate of released Houston toads among a re-enforced wild population. World Congress of Herpetology.
Vandewege, M.W., F.G. Hoffmann, C.J. Phillips, J.K. Wickliffe. 2012. Evidence of positive selection in the androgen-binding protein alpha (ABPα) of Old and New World rodents. MidSouth Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Society.
Vandewege, M.W., D.J. McHenry and M.R.J. Forstner. 2010. Evidence of multiple paternity in Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis). Southwestern Association of Naturalists.
Vandewege, M.W., D. Rodriguez, J. Weaver, T.D. Hibbitts, M.R.J. Forstner, and L.D. Densmore III. 2010. The hybrid zone between the Texas rat snake and Baird’s rat snake inferred from microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA data. Texas Academy of Science
G. In the Media
Panda feces study provides insights into microbiome, reproductive troubles. 2016. Science Daily
Scientists reconstruct genome of common ancestor of crocodile, birds, dinosaurs. 2014. Science Daily
Secrets to 'extreme adaptation' found in Burmese python genome. 2013. Science Daily
H. Miscellaneous Computational Work
2011-2016 openSUSE 7 blade HPCC server. Architect and Administrator
Programming Languages: Python, Bash, R
I. Profession Affiliations
2020-present RNA Society
2016-present American Genetic Association
2013-present Society for the Study of Evolution
2013-present Society of Molecular Biology and Evolution
2011-2016 Ph.D. Molecular Biology Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
2009-2011 M.S. Biology Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
2004-2008 B.S. Biology Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
B. Professional Development
2018-present Instructor, Department of Biology, Eastern New Mexico University
2018 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Temple University, Dept. of Biology, Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine
2017-2018 Bioinformatician, RTL Genomics, Lubbock, TX
2016-2017 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Texas Tech University, Dept. of Biological Sciences
2011-2016 Graduate Research Assistant, Mississippi State University, Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
May 2012 Teaching Assistant, Mississippi State University, Rural Medical Scholars, Biology
2009-2011 Teaching Assistant, Texas State University, Department of Biology, Undergraduate Genetics
2008 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Texas Tech University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Field Herpetology
2007-2008 Undergraduate Research Assistant, Texas Tech University, Dept. of Biological Sciences
C. Classes Taught
BIOL2110 - Subcellular Biology
BIOL1110 - General Biology
BIOL304 - Genetics
BIOL435 - Bioinformatics
BIOL435 Spring 2021 Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYnXcxXAJRzScqIPNXaDs-QCQq4tlI_k_
D. Grant Monies Earned
2013 Graduate Student Bridge grant, Mississippi State University ($17,000)
2010 Travel Grant, Texas State University ($354)
2010 Travel Grant, Texas State University ($150)
2009 Research Grant, Crocodilian Specialist Group ($1000)
2008 Travel Grant, Texas Tech University Association of Biologists ($300)
E. Invited Presentations
Vandewege, M.W. 2016 Salivary glands and selection in mammals. Biology 2101 Seminal, Texas Tech University.
Vandewege M.W. 2015. Defending the genome against space invaders. Eastern New Mexico University. STEM seminar series.
Vandewege M.W. 2015. On the frontline of genome defense: PIWI proteins and piRNAs. Texas Tech University. Evolution, Ecology and Behavior seminar series.
Vandewege M.W., R.N. Platt II, D.A. Ray, F.G. Hoffmann. 2014. Interplay Between Transposable Elements and PIWI Interactitng RNAs Among Laurasiatherian Mammals. Plant and Animal Genomes.
F Student led Presentations and Posters
Gutierrez, J*, R.N. Platt, J.C. Opazo, D.A. Ray, F.G. Hoffmann, M.W. Vandewege. 2021. Evolutionary History of the Piwi gene family. Evolution
Bendzus, H* and M.W. Vandewege. 2021 Olfactory receptors in Testudines adapt to changes in habitat use. Evolution.
Gutierrez, J*, R.N. Platt, J.C. Opazo, D.A. Ray, F.G. Hoffmann, M.W. Vandewege. 2020. Evolutionary History of the Piwi gene family. New Mexico Academy of Sciences
F. Selected Presentations
Vandewege M.W., R.N. Platt, D.K. Merriman, D.A. Ray, F.G. Hoffmann. 2021 The piRNA ping-pong cycle is relaxed in the 13-lined ground squirrel. Evolution
Vandewege M.W. and C.D. Phillips. 2016. Adaptation of salivary glands in response to diet in Phyllostomid bats. North American Society for Bat Research.
Vandewege M.W., R.N. Platt II, D.A. Ray, F.G. Hoffmann. 2013. Evolutionary dynamics of piRNA/PIWI proteins and transposable elements in three Laurasiatherians. Society of Molecular Biology and Evolution.
Vandewege M.W., R.N. Platt II, D.A. Ray, F.G. Hoffmann. 2013. Variable targeting of transposable elements by piRNA/PIWI proteins in two Laurasiatherians. Evolution.
Vandewege, M.W., M.R.J. Forstner, P. Crump. 2012. The use of genetic markers to trace the fate of released Houston toads among a re-enforced wild population. World Congress of Herpetology.
Vandewege, M.W., F.G. Hoffmann, C.J. Phillips, J.K. Wickliffe. 2012. Evidence of positive selection in the androgen-binding protein alpha (ABPα) of Old and New World rodents. MidSouth Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Society.
Vandewege, M.W., D.J. McHenry and M.R.J. Forstner. 2010. Evidence of multiple paternity in Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis). Southwestern Association of Naturalists.
Vandewege, M.W., D. Rodriguez, J. Weaver, T.D. Hibbitts, M.R.J. Forstner, and L.D. Densmore III. 2010. The hybrid zone between the Texas rat snake and Baird’s rat snake inferred from microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA data. Texas Academy of Science
G. In the Media
Panda feces study provides insights into microbiome, reproductive troubles. 2016. Science Daily
Scientists reconstruct genome of common ancestor of crocodile, birds, dinosaurs. 2014. Science Daily
Secrets to 'extreme adaptation' found in Burmese python genome. 2013. Science Daily
H. Miscellaneous Computational Work
2011-2016 openSUSE 7 blade HPCC server. Architect and Administrator
Programming Languages: Python, Bash, R
I. Profession Affiliations
2020-present RNA Society
2016-present American Genetic Association
2013-present Society for the Study of Evolution
2013-present Society of Molecular Biology and Evolution