bgould@msu.edu
Dr. Billie A. Gould, PhD
Dr. Billie A. Gould
Michigan State University, Dept. Plant Biology
612 Wilson Ave, East Lansing, MI 48824
http://billiegould.wordpress.com
Education
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Doctor of Philosophy, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
focus: The Evolution of Plant Genetic Adaptation to Soil Aluminum Toxicity
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Bachelor of Science, Biology, minor in Environmental Studies
Cum laude
February 2013
May 2002
Summary of Qualifications
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Experienced plant research scientist trained in both quantitative and molecular genetics, as well as
genomics and bioinformatics.
Proven track record of independent design, implementation, completion, and communication of
research results to understand the genetic basis of beneficial traits in multiple plant species.
Research and Professional Experience
Postdoctoral Associate Dept. of Plant Biology, Michigan State University
Feb 2015-present
 Field planting and QTL analysis of 800 member switchgrass mapping population for improving biofuel
traits
 Conducted bioinformatic analysis of large population genomic re-sequencing data sets to identify
adaptive genetic polymorphisms
 Designed and mentored a cell-wall biology project to foster undergraduate scientific experience
Postdoctoral Associate Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto
Jan 2013-Feb 2015
 Conducted and wrote up a detailed bioinformatic analysis of genomic data to identify genes and
mutations underlying flowering time adaptation across 32 populations
Graduate Teaching Assistant Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University
intermit. 2007-2012
 Independently taught ~25 to 60 students per semester, designed exams and assignments for a variety of
courses in Evolution and Ecology
Research Assistant Dept. of Organismal and Evol. Biology, Harvard University
2004-2007
 Successfully developed a virus-induced gene silencing system to aid study of gene function in
columbines (Aquilegia)
 Cloned and sequenced approx. 5 full length genes to understand control of floral development
 Propagated and maintained cohorts of ~100 greenhouse plants to support continued research
Biological Laboratory Technician, Bayer Diagnostics; Walpole, MA
2003-2004
 Conducted quality inspections of biological materials using a large variety of laboratory techniques, to
insure accurate and high-quality manufacturing of medical products
 Trained new employees. Compiled inspection data for presentation.
US EPA Science Intern US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1 Laboratory
2002-2003
Skills
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molecular genetics (DNA/RNA extraction, Sanger sequencing, genotyping, cloning, next-generation
sequencing, PCR, qPCR, 5’-RACE, transient silencing (VIGS), stable transformation, flow cytometry)
bioinformatics (UNIX, Python, Bash, genome scans-various population genetic software)
greenhouse plant growth and care, hydroponics, natural pest control measures
data analysis and statistics (R, JMP, linear mixed modeling, multiple regression, PCA, categorical analysis)
communication - grant writing, scientific writing and publication, oral presentation
experimental design and implementation - research management and budgeting
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Dr. Billie A. Gould, PhD
Selected Publications
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Gould, Billie, S. McCouch, and M. Geber (2015). De novo transcriptome assembly and identification of gene
candidates for rapid evolution in response to soil aluminum toxicity in Anthoxanthum odoratum at the Park
Grass Experiment. PLOS One 10:7:e0124424
Gould, Billie, S. McCouch, and M. Geber (2014). Variation in soil aluminum tolerance genes is associated
with local adaptation to soils at the Park Grass Experiment. Molec. Ecology. 24:6058-72
Young Wha Lee*, Billie Gould*, and JR Stinchcombe (2014). Identifying the genes underlying quantitative
traits: A rationale for the QTN programme. *equal contributions. Annals of Botany Plants. 6:plu004
Gould, Billie, D.A. Moeller, V.M. Eckhart, P. Tiffin, E. Fabio, and M. Geber (2013) Local adaptation and range
boundary formation in response to complex environmental gradients across the geographical range of
Clarkia xantiana ssp. xantiana. Journal of Ecology. 1:95-107
Gould, Billie and Elena Kramer (2007) Virus-induced gene silencing as a tool for functional analysis in the
emerging model plant Aquilegia (columbine, Ranunculaceae). Plant Methods, 3:6
Gould, Billie, M. Geber (2015) Populations of sweet vernal grass in the introduced species range do not
exhibit local adaptation to soil Al despite the presence of adaptive alleles. (in review, Journal of Evolutionary
Biology)
Gould, Billie and J. Stinchcombe (2015). Genome-wide targets of locally adaptive selection along a flowering
time cline in the introduced range of Arabidopsis thaliana. (in review)
Service and Leadership
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Greater Lansing Food Bank, Garden Program regular volunteer, plant distribution
2015
Journal Reviewer. American Journal of Botany; Molecular Ecology; PLoS One; Journal of Vegetation Science;
BMC Biotechnology, Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
ongoing
Naturalist, Ontario BioBlitz. wild plant species inventories. Ontario, Canada
2013, 2014
Expanding Your Horizons, Cornell Univ. science workshop series for girls grades 7-9
2011, 2012
Planting Science Student Mentor, online mentor to middle and high school students
2011, 2012
Cornell Graduate and Professional Student Association (student government)
Biological Sciences Representative
2010-2011
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Field Representative
2008-2010
Biogeochemistry and Env. Biocomplexity Graduate Student Assoc. Secretary-Treasurer
2009-2010
Finger Lakes Native Plant Society, author of online plant feature articles
2008-2010
New England Wildflower Association, endangered plant species inventories
2006-2007
Grants and Awards
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Highlighted PPE Member of the Month, Ecological Society of America, Plant Population Ecology Sec.
2014
Kieckhefer Adirondack Research Fellowship
2011
Biogeochemistry and Environmental Biocomplexity Research Grant
2009, 2011
Cornell Center for Comparative and Population Genomics Priming Grant
2010
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
2009-2012
American Society of Plant Biologists Travel Grant Award
2009
Cornell Graduate Student Travel Grant
2009, 2010, 2011
Sigma Xi, Cornell Chapter, Research Grant
2009, 2011
Andrew W. Mellon Student Research Grant
2008
Student Research Grants, Dept. of EEB, Cornell University.
2008, 2009, 2010
Rachel Carson Award for Environmental Citizenship, Brandeis University
2002
Columbia University, Biosphere II Environmental Science program, invited participant
2000
Presidential Scholarship recipient, Brandeis University
1998-2002
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