Matthew McTernan will graduate this week with his Ph.D. in biological sciences. We asked him to reflect on his time here at Clemson in Chris Parkinson’s lab through a short Q & A.
Research?
My research focuses on climate adaptation in animals. I specifically wanted to understand what genes are associated with climate adaptation, and whether I could use identified patterns of adaptive genetics that allows us to understand how animals will evolve in the pressures imposed by future climates. Using the Eastern fence lizard, I found that genes associated with climate adaptation center around optimizing growth and developmental processes during early life stages. This is exciting, because it provides genomic support for a long-held belief that selection on life history traits (e.g. how big you get, how fast you grow, how long you live, etc.) is a major component of adaptation to climate across life on earth.
What’s next?
I have accepted a biology faculty position at St. Louis Community College. I am very excited to start my career after all these years of graduate school!
Best thing about Clemson?
I really enjoyed the people I met during my time at Clemson. From my faculty mentors to my fellow graduate students, I met a lot of outstanding people who have shaped the person I am today.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss the friends I have made here at Clemson. As with anywhere I have been in my life, it’s the people that you always miss the most.
Advice for students?
Just keep working and surviving, because one day all the hard work and stress will all pay off. You just have to believe in yourself.
Memorable people?
I would like to thank Dr. Parkinson, Dr. McNutt, Dr. South, and Dr. Espinoza for all their help and guidance. Dr. Parkinson became my research advisor once my previous advisor left, while Dr. McNutt, Dr. South, and Dr. Espinoza worked closely with me to hone my teaching skills. Under their mentorship, I have matured as a person, a scientist, and an educator.
Favorite activities?
I particularly enjoyed Kite Hill Brewery and Keowee Brewing. I like places where I can sit with friends in an enjoyable environment and talk while drinking good beer.
Lessons learned?
I learned a lot about managing my time and responsibilities. I also learned a lot about managing myself and my mental and physical health. It turns out that managing your time and responsibilities well also helps you manage your mental and physical health. Go figure!
Memorable moment?
I spent 5 years going into the field and collecting tissue samples from Eastern fence lizard populations across the entire eastern half of the United States. I then spent 6 months extracting DNA and preparing genomic libraries from those samples. The day that I took the pooled library that contained all of these samples down to the Clemson University Human Genetics Center to be sequenced stands out to me. I was extremely nervous that day, because over five years of my work was on the line. Thankfully, the sequencing run worked great, and I generated almost all of the data for my dissertation in that moment. I also proposed to my fiance, Melanie Key, in the Botanical Gardens here at Clemson. I probably should’ve said that first!
Accolades and Awards
I received a large amount of funding from various internal and external sources during my time at Clemson. I think the one I am most proud of, however, is the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Grant provided by the American Museum of Natural History. That was a relatively large and competitive grant, and I was very happy when I received it.
Proud moment?
I have published two papers during my time here at Clemson, and I think those are the achievements that I can point to that make me the most proud. I have several more publications to still get out as well!
You might be surprised to know…
I don’t think I ever advertised this, but I am a very good guitar player and have been playing guitar since I was 11 years old. I am 34 now.
