Jordyn Chace is a huge fan of classic murder mysteries. As a geneticist and wildlife biologist, she considers herself an investigator.

But instead of solving human crimes, she uncovers clues that may help contribute to the recovery of a once-common North American mammal: the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus, a species now on the brink of extinction.

“There are clues hidden in their DNA that show the little brown bats are in trouble. We can use genomics to benchmark it and check these clues to see how the species is doing, and ideally prescribe bespoke conservation action best suited to their needs,” says Chace, a doctoral student in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. 

Read more from the Prairie Research Institute.