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.
Beyond the Tropics: Rethinking Niche Conservatism in the Fern Order Cyatheales
Project summary:
This proposal explores the ecological and evolutionary patterns of *Cyatheales*, a fern order primarily associated with tropical environments. It examines the concepts of Tropical Niche Conservatism (TNC) and Phylogenetic Niche Conservatism (PNC) to understand species' ecological preferences and adaptations. By integrating phylogenetic, ecological, and biogeographical data, the study seeks to uncover drivers of niche evolution, highlight exceptions to TNC, and inform conservation strategies.
First Name:
Mwihaki John
Highest degree:
MASTERS
Year obtained:
2020
Applicant Status:
Current student
United States
Ferns and fern allies
Relevant publications (minimum 1, maximum 4):
MJ. Karichu, Boniface. K. Ngarega, J.M Jefwa, Bette A Loiselle, Emily B. Sessa (2024). Tracing the range shifts of African tree ferns: Insights from the last glacial maximum and beyond. Ecological Informatics, 102896. (Published)
MJ. Karichu, Boniface. K. Ngarega, Eric Onjalalaina, PW Kamau, Emily B. Sessa (2022). The potential distributions of African Azolla species and their implications for African wetland ecosystems in the future. Ecology and Evolution 12(8): e9210 (Published)
Boniface K. Ngarega, MJ. Karichu et al., (2022). Threatened Fabaceae taxa in Coastal East
Africa: Current and future modelled distributions and conservation priorities. South African Journal of Botany, 150, 779-788. (Published)
Scoring Rubric
Your name:
c1. Scientific Merit
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Scientific impact of the study in the proposed taxonomic group or the flora and funga of a geographic region – up to 10 points
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Contribution to the generation of novel systematic/taxonomic/floristic data – up to 5 points
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Quality and significance of questions being addressed – up to 10 points
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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
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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
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Explicit inclusion of (a) the use and generation of collections, and (b) conferring with taxonomic/nomenclatural experts – up to 10 points
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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
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The proposal involves taxonomic training, fieldwork, and herbarium visits – up to 10 points
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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
New York Botanical Garden and City University of New York
Affiliation:
Grant Assessment
Last Name:
Has the applicant applied for an IAPT Research Grant previously?
Year of previous application:
2022