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IRENE AI-YIN LIU
Department of Biology
Duke University, Box 90338
Durham, NC 27708
irene.liu at duke.edu
919-660-0927
http://people.duke.edu/~ial3
Academic Appointments
2014 – pres.
Postdoctoral associate, Department of Biology, Duke University
Advisor: Steve Nowicki
Education
2007 – 2014
2002 – 2006
Ph.D., Department of Biology, Duke University
Dissertation: “Molecular causes and consequences of sperm competition in Agelaius
blackbirds”
Advisor: Steve Nowicki
B.S. and B.A., summa cum laude, University of Maryland, College Park
Zoology (High Honors) and Spanish Language and Literature
Senior thesis: “Macrogeographic vocal variation in subspecies of swamp sparrow”
Advisors: Russ Greenberg and Bernie Lohr
Research Grants
2013
2013
2013
2013
2012
2011 – 2013
2011
2010
2010
2010
2010
2008 – 2009
2008
2008
2008
2005
2005
Biology Grant-in-Aid, Department of Biology, Duke University
Student Research Grant, Animal Behavior Society
Mellon Research Travel Grant, Duke Center for Latin-American and Caribbean Studies
Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund, American Museum of Natural History
Graduate Dissertation Research Travel Award, Duke University
Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant, National Science Foundation
Louis Agassiz Fuertes Award, Wilson Ornithological Society
Graduate Dissertation Research Travel Award, Duke University
Grant-in-Aid of Research, Sigma Xi
Graduate Student Field Research Grant, Duke Center for Latin-American and Caribbean
Studies
Graduate Mini-Grant, Duke Sigma Xi
McKinley Research Award, Pymatuning Lab of Ecology, University of Pittsburgh
Graduate Research Award, American Ornithologists’ Union
Grant-in-Aid of Research, Sigma Xi
Paul A. Stewart Award, Wilson Ornithological Society
Senior Summer Scholars Grant, Maryland Center for Undergraduate Research
Honors Research Grant, University of Maryland Honors Program
Fellowships and Awards
2014
2013 – 2014
2011
2008 – 2013
2008 – 2011
2007 – 2011
2007 – 2008
Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring, Duke University
Katherine Goodman Stern Fellowship, Duke University
Sigma Delta Epsilon Fellowship, Graduate Women in Science
Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation
Graduate Mentor Fellowship, University Scholars Program, Duke University
James B. Duke Fellowship, Duke University
University Scholars Program Fellowship, Duke University
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2006
2006
2005 – 2006
Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society
Travel Award, IV North American Ornithological Conference
Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Publications
PEER-REVIEWED (* = undergraduate)
Liu, I.A. In press. Conservation genetics and genetic mating system of the yellow-shouldered blackbird
(Agelaius xanthomus), an endangered island endemic. Conservation Genetics.
Liu, I.A., J.E. Johndrow, J. Abe*, S. Lüpold, K. Yasukawa, D.F. Westneat, and S. Nowicki. 2015.
Genetic diversity does not explain extra-pair paternity in multiple populations of a songbird.
Journal of Evolutionary Biology 28:1156-1169.
Olsen, B.J., R. Greenberg, I.A. Liu, J.M. Felch, and J.R. Walters. 2010. Interactions between sexual and
natural selection on the evolution of a plumage badge. Evolutionary Ecology 24:731-748.
Liu, I.A., B. Lohr, B. Olsen, and R. Greenberg. 2008. Macrogeographic vocal variation in subspecies of
swamp sparrow. Condor 110:102-109.
NON-PEER-REVIEWED
Medina-Miranda, R., López-Ortiz, R., Ramos-Álvarez, K., Cruz-Burgos, J., McKenzie, P., Swinnerton, K.,
Ortega, C., Cruz, A., Liu, I., Lacy, R., Miller, P., Díaz-Soltero, H. and Traylor-Holzer, K. (eds.).
2013. Yellow-shouldered blackbird/shiny cowbird population and habitat viability assessment
workshop final report. IUCN SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Apple Valley, MN.
Teaching Experience
TA EXPERIENCE
Fall 2012
Teaching assistant, BIO 202L, Genetics and Evolution
Fall 2010
Teaching assistant, BIO 108L, Vertebrate Anatomy
MENTORING
Summer 2013 Undergraduate research mentor, C. Terry, volunteer
2010 – 2012
Undergraduate research mentor, J. Abe, independent study
Selected Presentations
Liu, I.A. Mar. 2015. Sperm competition, infidelity, and the hunt for reproductive proteins in birds.
Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, FL.
Liu, I.A. Jun. 2014. Molecular consequences of sperm competition in Agelaius blackbirds. Evolution,
Raleigh, NC.
Liu, I.A. Mar. 2013. Mating systems, sperm competition and protein evolution in Agelaius blackbirds. East
Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
Liu, I.A. Aug. 2012. Extra-pair mating and genetic diversity in the endangered yellow-shouldered blackbird.
Yellow-Shouldered Blackbird Population and Habitat Viability Assessment Workshop, USDA/
USFWS/PRDNR, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
Liu, I.A. Aug. 2012. Mating systems, sperm competition and protein evolution in Agelaius blackbirds.
North American Ornithological Conference V, Vancouver, Canada.
Liu, I.A. Jun. 2012. Genetics and behavior of mating in Agelaius blackbirds. USFWS, Boquerón, Puerto
Rico.
Liu, I.A. Feb. 2012. The evolution of mating behavior in Agelaius blackbirds. University of Pennsylvania.
Liu, I.A. Sep. 2010. Mating behavior, sperm competition and reproductive protein evolution in Agelaius
blackbirds. New Directions in Sexual Selection Research Conference, University of Bath, UK.
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(poster)
Liu, I.A. Jun. 2010. Effect of genetic diversity on mating behavior in populations of a songbird. Bahamas
National Trust, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas.
Selected Guest Lectures and Public Talks
May 2015
Mar. 2015
Sept. 2014
Mar. 2014
Apr. 2013
Mar. 2013
Nov. 2010
“Sperm competition and its evolutionary consequences,” Evolution guest lecture, NC
School of Science and Math
“All about birds,” Invite A Scientist, Githens Middle School, NC Science Festival
“Infidelity, sperm competition and the hunt for reproductive proteins in birds,” Nerd Nite
Triangle
“Postcopulatory sexual selection: a scientific update to Darwin,” University Scholars
Program, Duke University
“Field ornithology,” Terrestrial Field Skills guest lecture and lab, Meredith College
“All about birds,” Girls in Science, NC Museum of Natural History
“Guts and digestion,” Vertebrate Anatomy guest lecture, Duke University
Service Activities
2011 – 2014
2011 – 2013
2011 – 2013
2010 – 2012
2009 – pres.
2009
2008 – 2011
2008 – 2011
2008 – pres.
Basketball committee, Duke Graduate and Professional Student Council
Program co-coordinator, Duke Women in Science and Engineering
Advisory committee, Personal Finance@Duke
Organizer, Behavioral, Population and Community Ecology seminar series
Program committee, Duke Women in Science and Engineering
Karate instructor, El Kilombo community organization, Durham, NC
Graduate mentor, University Scholars Program, Duke University
Mentor, Women in Math Mentoring Program, Durham and Wake County, NC
ESL instructor, El Kilombo community organization, Durham, NC
Professional Affiliations
Reviewer for Auk, Journal of Avian Biology
Languages
Proficiency in Unix and R; beginner in Python
Fluency in English and Spanish; proficiency in Mandarin Chinese
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