Elizabeth Cash

Postdoctoral Scholar

Education

Ph.D. Biology, Arizona State University, 2016
B.Sc. Biology, The Ohio State University, 2009

Research Interests / Specializations:

Social Insects, Chemical Communication, Recognition Systems

Research Description:

I am broadly interested in the behavioral, chemical, and genetic features of communication in social insects. My research focuses on recognition systems, i.e. colony and caste identity, in ants. I use a combination of techniques including: comparative genomics, experimental genetics, and behavioral and chemical ecology to identify proximate and ultimate mechanisms that lead to the development and maintenance of recognition in insect societies. As a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Dr. Neil Tsutsui, I will be investigating evolutionary trade-offs that shape the recognition systems of the unicolonial Argentine ant (Linepithema humile).

Selected Publications

Helmkampf M†, Cash E†, Gadau J. 2014. Evolution of the insect desaturase genes with an emphasis on social Hymenoptera. Mol Biol Evol 32:456–471. †These authors contributed equally to this work.

Simola DF, Wissler L, Donahue G, Waterhouse RM, Helmkampf M, Roux J, Nygaard S, Glastad KM, Hagen DE, Viljakainen L, et al. 2013. Social insect genomes exhibit dramatic evolution in gene composition and regulation while preserving regulatory features linked to sociality. Genome Res 23:1235–1247.

Gibson JD, Niehuis O, Peirson BRE, Cash EI, Gadau J. 2013. Genetic and developmental basis of F2 hybrid breakdown in Nasonia. Evolution 67: 2124-2132.

Smith CR, Smith CD, Robertson HM, Helmkampf M, Zimin A, Yandell M, Holt C, Hu H, Abouheif E, Benton R, Cash E, et al. 2011. Draft genome of the red harvester ant Pogonomyrmex barbatus. P Natl Acad Sci USA 108:5667–5672.

Smith CD, Zimin A, Holt C, Abouheif E, Benton R, Cash E, Croset V, Currie CR, Elhaik E, Elsik CG, et al. 2011. Draft genome of the globally widespread and invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). P Natl Acad Sci USA 108:5673–5678.

Suen G, Teiling C, Li L, Holt C, Abouheif E, Bornberg-Bauer E, Bouffard P, Caldera EJ, Cash E, Cavanaugh A, et al. 2011. The genome sequence of the leaf-cutter ant Atta cephalotes reveals insights into its obligate symbiotic lifestyle. PLoS Genet 7:e1002007.