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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.

Unraveling the Phylogenetics and Biogeography of Balsaminaceae in Sri Lanka: Linkages to South and Southeast Asian Diversity

Project summary:

This research integrates molecular phylogenetics, biogeographic modeling, and morphometric analyses to investigate the evolutionary history, diversification, and niche dynamics of Balsaminaceae across Sri Lanka (An underexplored biodiversity hotspot and dark spot). By leveraging DNA sequencing, ecological niche modeling, and floral trait evolution, it aims to resolve taxonomic ambiguities and inform conservation strategies for endemic and threatened species.

First Name:

Malith viduranga Weerapperuma achchi athukoralage don

malith19950819@tamu.edu

Highest degree:

Undergraduate

Year obtained:

2022

Applicant Status:

Current student

United States

Flowering plants

Relevant publications (minimum 1, maximum 4):

Yuan, Y. M., Song, Y. I., Geuten, K., Rahelivololona, E., Wohlhauser, S., Fischer, E., ... & Küpfer, P. (2004). Phylogeny and biogeography of Balsaminaceae inferred from ITS sequences. Taxon, 53(2), 391-404.

Ruchisansakun, S., Mertens, A., Janssens, S. B., Smets, E. F., & Van Der Niet, T. (2021). Evolution of pollination syndromes and corolla symmetry in Balsaminaceae reconstructed using phylogenetic comparative analyses. Annals of Botany, 127(2), 267-280.

Yu, S. X., Janssens, S. B., Zhu, X. Y., Lidén, M., Gao, T. G., & Wang, W. (2016). Phylogeny of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae): integrating molecular and morphological evidence into a new classification. Cladistics, 32(2), 179-197.

Amarasinghe, Prabha, Narayani Barve, Hashendra Kathriarachchi, Bette Loiselle, and Nico Cellinese. "Niche dynamics of Memecylon in Sri Lanka: Distribution patterns, climate change effects, and conservation priorities." Ecology and Evolution 11, no. 24 (2021): 18196-18215

Applicant Details

email:

Country:

Target organism/s:

Previous publications

Budget (USD):

2000

Texas A & M university, College Station, Texas, USA

Affiliation:

Grant Assessment

Last Name:

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Has the applicant applied for an IAPT Research Grant previously?

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Year of previous application:

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

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