Effects of toxin exposure on poison frogs
Rebecca Tarvin, Professor
Integrative Biology, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
Applications for Spring 2026 are closed for this project.
The Tarvin Lab studies how and why poison frogs don’t poison themselves. We aim to measure the effect of toxin consumption on frog health and chemical defenses through toxin feeding experiments paired with phenotypic assays (health monitoring, jumping challenges), chemical quantification (GCMS), and genomic assessment (RNA and DNA sequencing).
Role: We are currently recruiting students who can help us phenotype frogs throughout the experiment. We have approximately 250 frogs of two species and nearly 200 tadpoles at various developmental stages. Tasks will include helping with phenotypic assays and collecting samples for chemical and genomic analyses (e.g., toxin extraction from different tissues, RNA extraction, RNA sequencing, and quantification of toxins using GC–MS). This opportunity will provide students with training in evolutionary biology and genetics, experimental design, frog husbandry, toxin quantification, and running physiological assays. Students will also have access to professional development opportunities, including attending weekly lab meetings with the Tarvin lab and Museum of Vertebrate Zoology community events (e.g. seminars, weekly coffee hour, Herp Group, etc.). The overall expected outcome is the development of scientific skills to prepare for a career in science. Highly responsible and inquisitive students may have the option of developing independent thesis projects within the context of this research.
Given that we conduct experiments with live animals, applicants should be comfortable with euthanasia and dissection.
Qualifications: Competitive applicants will have several or all of the following qualities: excellent organization and communication skills, aptitude for creative-problem solving, detail-oriented, ability to work independently, comfortable handling live animals (insects and frogs), a positive attitude, interest in evolutionary biology and/or genetics, and interest in staying for 2+ semesters. Experience working with live animals is helpful but not necessary. Given that the position involves work with live animals, a highly mature and responsible approach to work (showing up consistently, on time, and letting lab know when absent) is absolutely required. Final applicants may be selected based on overlap with the supervisor's schedule, which will be discussed during and/or following interviews.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Ziting Chen, Graduate Student
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Biological & Health Sciences