Lab Members : Brendan Hodkinson

Department of Biology
Box 90338
Duke University
Durham, NC 27708

Cell: 443-340-0917
Work: 919-660-7285
Fax: 919-660-7293

Research Interests
As a member of the Lutzoni lab, I am researching the role that non-photobiont bacteria play in lichen biology. Though little work has been done in this area of research, these bacteria may turn out to be an extremely important part of the ecology of the lichen thallus. As a result of this research, the lichen symbiosis may prove to be much more complex than previously suspected.

I am also continuing work on the lichen flora of Virginia. I have assembled the first checklist of Virginia lichens, containing over 500 taxa. This ongoing project is exciting and dynamic, involving lichenologists and casual collectors from all across eastern North America. Taxonomic issues associated with this project are investigated using molecular phylogenetics along with more traditional analytical methods.

Education
BS Biology with Honors, College of William and Mary, 2005
Thesis: The lichen flora of the Williamsburg, Virginia, area

Fellowships & Grants
James B. Duke Fellowship for Graduate Study, 2005-2009 ($4,000/year)
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, 2005-2008 ($30,000/year)
Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research, 2008 ($1,500)
Keever Endowment Grant-In-Aid, 2008 ($1,000)
Christiane and Christopher Tyson OTS Research Fellowship, 2008 ($1,256)
Sally Hughes-Schrader Travel Grant, 2008 ($1,250)
Sigma Xi Grant-In-Aid of Research, 2007 ($855)
American Society for Microbiology Student Travel Grant, 2007 ($500)
Keever Endowment Grant-in-Aid, 2006 ($1,000)
William and Mary Student Research Grant, 2004-2005 ($300)
James Monroe Research Scholarship, 2004 ($3,000)
Community of Scholars Fellowship, 2004 ($1,000)
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Student Research Grant, 2003-2004 ($325)
William and Mary Minor Grant, 2003-2004 ($300)

Honors, Prizes, & Awards
Student Presentation Award, 2008 (MSA best student conference paper, $200)
C. J. Alexopoulos Mentor Student Travel Award, 2008 ($500)
Diversa Award, Explorers Club Exploration Fund, 2008 ($1,200)
ABLS / IAL Student Travel Award, 2008 ($800)
BLS Member Travel Award, 2008 ($600)
A. J. Sharp Award, 2007 (ABLS best student conference paper, $500)
Diversa Award, Explorers Club Exploration Fund, 2007 ($1,200) [Final Report]
Duke Graduate International Research Travel Award, 2007 ($2,200)
American Bryological & Lichenological Society Travel Award, 2007 ($500)
Adkins Arboretum Botanical Research Award, 2006 ($1,500)
Berkeley Fellowship for Graduate Study, 2005 (declined)
Charlotte P. Mangum Prize, 2005 (best undergraduate Honors research)
Baldwin-Speece Plant Conservation Award, 2005 ($1,000)

Publications
Hodkinson, B. P., and F. Lutzoni. 2009. A new lineage of bacteria from the Rhizobiales associated with lichens. Symbiosis 46: (in revision).

Schoch, C. L., G.-H. Sung, F. López-Giráldez, J. P. Townsend, J. Miadlikowska, V. Hofstetter, B. Robbertse, P. B. Matheny, F. Kauff, Z. Wang, C. Gueidan, R. M. Andrie, K. Trippe, L. M. Ciufetti, A. Wynns, E. Fraker, B. P. Hodkinson, G. Bonito, R. Yahr, J. Z. Groenewald, M. Arzanlou, G. S. de Hoog, P. W. Crous, D. Hewitt, D. H. Pfister, K. Peterson, M. Gryzenhout, M. J. Wingfield, A. Aptroot, S.-O. Suh, M. Blackwell, D. M. Hillis, G. W. Griffith, L. A. Castlebury, A. Y. Rossman, H. T. Lumbsch, R. Lücking, B. Büdel, A. Rauhut, P. Diederich, D. Ertz, D. M. Geiser, K. Hosaka, P. Inderbitzin, J. Kohlmeyer, B. Volkmann-Kohlmeyer, L. Mostert, K. O’Donnell, H. Sipman, J. D. Rogers, R. A. Shoemaker, J. Sugiyama, R. C. Summerbell, W. Untereiner, P. Johnston, S. Stenroos, A. Zuccaro, P. Dyer, P. Crittenden, M. S. Cole, K. Hansen, J. M. Trappe, F. Lutzoni, and J. W. Spatafora. 2009. The Ascomycota Tree of Life: A Phylum Wide Phylogeny Clarifies the Origin and Evolution of Fundamental Reproductive and Ecological Traits. Systematic Biology 58: (in revision).

Hodkinson, B. P., R. C. Harris, and M. A. Case. 2009. A Checklist of Virginia Lichens. Evansia 26: (in press).

Hodkinson, B. P., and M. A. Case. 2008. A lichen survey of Williamsburg, Virginia. Banisteria 31: 24-30.
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Miadlikowska, J., F. Kauff, V. Hofstetter, E. Fraker, M. Grube, J. Hafellner, V. Reeb, B. P. Hodkinson, M. Kukwa, R. Lücking, G. Hestmark, M. Garcia Otalora, A. Rauhut, B. Büdel, C. Scheidegger, E. Timdal, S. Stenroos, I. Brodo, G. Perlmutter, D. Ertz, P. Diederich, J. C. Lendemer, P. May, C. L. Schoch, A. E. Arnold, C. Gueidan, E. Tripp, R. Yahr, C. Robertson, and F. Lutzoni. 2007 ["2006"]. New insights into classification and evolution of the Lecanoromycetes (Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota) from phylogenetic analyses of three ribosomal RNA- and two protein-coding genes. Mycologia 98: 1088-1103.
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McCormick, M. K., D. F. Whigham, D. Sloan, K. O'Malley, and B. Hodkinson. 2006. Orchid-fungus fidelity: a marriage meant to last? Ecology 87: 903-911.
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Swaddle, J. P., M. G. Cathey, M. Correll, and B. P. Hodkinson. 2005. Socially transmitted mate preferences in a monogamous bird: a non-genetic mechanism of sexual selection. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences 272: 1053-8.
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Conference Abstracts:

Hodkinson, B. P., T. M. Loveless, P. E. Bishop, and F. Lutzoni. 2008. Alternative nitrogen fixation and its role in nutrient cycling. Joint Meeting: Celebrating the International Year of Planet Earth, Houston, Texas.
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Hodkinson, B. P., and F. Lutzoni. 2008. Lichen-associated non-photobiont bacteria: the third symbiont? Mycological Society of America Annual Meeting, State College, Pennsylvania. (Student Presentation Award: best student conference paper)
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Hodkinson, B. P., T. M. Loveless, P. E. Bishop, and F. Lutzoni. 2008. Nitrogen-fixing non-photobiont bacteria and lichens: an alternative lifestyle? 6th International Association for Lichenology Symposium, Monterey, California.
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Hodkinson, B. P. 2008. A molecular survey of lichen-associated bacteria. Graduate Research Symposium, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.
Download abstract book (PDF file, page 30)

Hodkinson, B. P., and F. Lutzoni. 2007. Non-photosynthetic bacteria and the lichen symbiosis. American Bryological and Lichenological Society Annual Meeting, Xalapa, Mexico. (A. J. Sharp Award: best student conference paper)
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Hodkinson, B. P., and M. A. Case. 2007. Lichen ecology in coastal ravines. American Bryological and Lichenological Society Annual Meeting, Xalapa, Mexico.
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Hodkinson, B., and F. Lutzoni. 2007. A culture-independent, PCR-based approach for examining bacterial communities associated with photosynthetic organisms: a case study using lichen thalli. American Society for Microbiology 107th General Meeting, Toronto, ON.
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Hodkinson, B. P., F. M. Lutzoni, T. M. Loveless, and P. E. Bishop. 2006. Non-photosynthetic bacteria and the lichen symbiosis. 5th International Symbiosis Society Congress, Vienna, Austria.
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Hodkinson, B. P., and F. Lutzoni (adv.). 2006. The role of non-photosynthetic bacteria in the lichen symbiosis. Graduate Student Research Day, Duke University, Durham, NC.
Download abstract book (PDF file, page 15)

Hodkinson, B., and M. Case (adv.). 2005. Lichens of Williamsburg. Honors Colloquium, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA.
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