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Research Grants

This page is used to provide your assessment scores for each application. Please use the rubric below the application details to enter your name, your scores, and any notes on the application.

Investigating the taxonomic diversity of cyanobacteria associated with Chinese endemic Cycas debaoensis and their potential implication on Chinese Cycad conservation practices

Project summary:

We focus on investigating the communities of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria associated with the coralloid roots of C. debaoensis from botanical garden, and compare these to those from natural habitats and reintroduction sites. We will also look at the potential implications of these cyanobacterial communities for the conservation practices of C. debaoensis hosts and other Cycas species in China.

First Name:

Melissa H. Pecundo

melissa.pecundo@gmail.com

Highest degree:

Doctor of Philosophy

Year obtained:

2022

Applicant Status:

Early-career researcher (PhD obtained within last three years)

P.R. China

Gymnosperms, Other (please provide details)

Relevant publications (minimum 1, maximum 4):

Pecundo MH, Chen T, dela Cruz TEE, Griffith P, Hu Z, Chen H & Li N. 2023. Discovery of cyanobacteria associated with cycads and description of three novel species in Desmonostoc (Nostocaceae). Diversity 15, 1132.

Pecundo MH, Cai F, Chang ACG, Ren H, Li N, Li R, Chen T. 2021. Polyphasic approach identifies two new species of Desmonostoc (Nostocales, Cyanobacteria) in the coralloid roots of Cycas fairylakea (Cycadales). Phycologia 60, 653–668.

Pecundo MH, Chang ACG, Chen T, dela Cruz TEE, Ren H & Li N. 2021. Full-length 16S rRNA and ITS gene sequencing revealed rich microbial flora in roots of Cycas spp. in China. Evol. Bioinform. 17, 1–16.

Chang ACG, Pecundo MH, Duan J, Ren H, Chen T, Li N. 2020. Geochip 5.0 microarray: a descriptive overview of genes present in coralloid root microbiomes of Cycas debaoensis and Cycas fairylakea. ELBA Bioflux 12(1): 5–20.

Scoring Rubric

Your name:

c1. Scientific Merit

 

  • Scientific impact of the study in the proposed taxonomic group or the flora and funga of a geographic region – up to 10 points

  • Contribution to the generation of novel systematic/taxonomic/floristic data – up to 5 points

  • Quality and significance of questions being addressed – up to 10 points

  • Adequacy of methods for testing the research question (data collection/analysis/use of different tools) – up to 10 points

This proposal scores:

/35

C2. Community Building

 

  • Applicant’s potential for completing goals of the proposal within the time frame, and of professional success (based on CV, considering career stage) – up to 10 points

  • Explicit inclusion of (a) the use and generation of collections, and (b) conferring with taxonomic/nomenclatural experts – up to 10 points

  • Perceived need where more points are given for applicants from low- or middle-income countries – up to 5 points

This proposal scores:

/25

C3. Broader Impacts

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  • The proposal will yield durable benefits and be disseminated through publications (e.g., taxonomic revisions, checklists, new data provided for existing databases, websites) – up to 20 points

  • The proposal involves taxonomic training, fieldwork, and herbarium visits  – up to 10 points

  • The proposal involves outreach, mentoring, and mobility exchange  – up to 10 points

This proposal scores:

/40

Applicant Details

email:

Country:

Target organism/s:

Previous publications

Budget (USD):

2000

Shenzhen University

Affiliation:

Grant Assessment

Last Name:

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Has the applicant applied for an IAPT Research Grant previously?

Year of previous application:

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