UCE/LCG Workshop

June 7 - 13, 2026. Come to Pullman, Washington for a weeklong workshop to learn about low coverage genomes (LCGs) and ultraconserved elements (UCEs). Hands on molecular lab work for LCG library prep, with lectures and bioinformatics tutorials on UCE extraction and data processing. A majority of your expenses while here will be covered by the "Bees of the World" NSF grant to the PI instructors Elizabeth Murray, Silas Bossert, and Michael Branstetter. We conducted a similar workshop in Logan, UT in 2023.

Join us at Washington State University on the beautiful Palouse Prairie for a one-week UCE/LCG Workshop focused on generating high-quality phylogenomic data from start to finish. This intensive program will blend short lectures and guided tutorials with molecular lab bench work, so you’ll leave with a clear understanding of the UCE workflow, from experimental design and sample considerations to data generation and downstream analysis.
 
The workshop will be instructed by WSU Entomology and Logan Bee Lab / USU researchers. We’ll have hands-on molecular training with an emphasis on low coverage genome library preparation (including quality control and troubleshooting), plus sessions in bioinformatics covering core processing steps for extracting UCEs.

Anticipated schedule for the week.

Instructors:
Dr. Silas Bossert (WSU)
Dr. Michael Branstetter (USDA, Logan)
Tatiana Bush (WSU)
Hannah Cook (WSU)

​Kayun Lim (USU)
Colleen Meidt (USU)
Dr. Elizabeth Murray (WSU)
Dr. Katherine Odanaka (Cornell)

Targeted Participants: Grad students and postdocs. However other applicants will be considered (such as post-baccalaureates, faculty, etc.). We encourage applicants who have a research focus on bees and also expect that we will be able to accept hymenopterists outside of that scope. Broader insect taxa will be considered if there is space. Some previous molecular lab experience and/or bioinformatics competency is preferred. For example, we will not cover DNA extraction protocols, but expect that this is something that would be familiar to most participants. 

Logistics:
Expenses will be minimal while you are at the workshop. Lodging and most meals will be covered. 
LODGING: We will pay for participants to stay in shared dorm rooms nearby our building. You can choose to stay somewhere else on your own & make it into campus each day.
FOOD: We will have grab and go or easy-make breakfast food items (for in the dorms or when you arrive on campus). We'll also have self-assembly style lunches. Think sandwiches and chips (we'll take suggestions!). We will cover 1-2 dinners, and others will be paid for on your own.
TRAVEL: We ask that you cover travel expenses to get here. Nearest airports are in Pullman, WA (~5 minutes from campus), Lewiston, ID (~50 minutes from campus), and Spokane, WA (~1 hour 30 min from campus). Spokane will have the most (and best) flights. There is a Greyhound from Spokane airport, though we're hoping we could manage a van pickup. We'll try to coordinate rides and pickups from the airports after learning participants' arrival times.

​Contact Elizabeth Murray with any questions you need answered as you consider applying ([email protected]).

click here to apply (via google forms) - submit by March 16