A Computational Approach to Species Complexes

Speakers: Dr. Jim Nastos and Clara Elliott
Computer Science Department
Okanagan College, Kelowna, BC

Time & Date: 06:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Thursday, October 8th, 2026
Location: Room E309, Computer Science Department, Okanagan College
Registration is open now:

Abstract:

Data clustering and classification are fundamental problems in data science, with applications in almost every field of study. In this talk, we present prototype software that applies a data science approach to identifying groups of closely related species and possible species complexes.

We will present our prototype software, which implements a pipeline that queries the GenBank and BOLD databases for genetic data, uses sequence alignment to generate measures of genetic similarity, and augments these measures with morphological data. Similarity relationships are visualized as network graphs, allowing users to identify and propose potential species groupings for further investigation.

This ongoing project has been jointly funded by Okanagan College’s Grants-in-Aid Fund and the College’s Department of Applied Science.

Speaker’s Bio:

Dr. Jim Nastos:

Jim Nastos is a College Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Okanagan College in Kelowna, Canada. He earned degrees from the University of Waterloo, the University of Alberta, and the University of British Columbia, and he has co-authored ten papers in refereed journals. His research interests include algorithmic graph theory, complex networks, complexity theory, social network analysis and their applications.

Join us for an exciting COSC student and professor research presentation!
Support and learn from students as they share their work.
Snacks and lunch will be provided, so bring your curiosity (and your appetite)!
We’d love to see you there!

For further information, please contact Youry Khmelevsky (email: Youry at IEEE.org)
Refreshments will be provided