Phylogenetics/Systematics
Uncovering the evolutionary relationships among species is one of the central tasks of evolutionary biology. These relationships not only trace evolutionary history, they also are essential for answering a variety of questions about ecology and evolution. For example, phylogenetic analysis illuminated the steps that led to the evolution of complex insect societies like those of ants and the origins of complex adaptations of organisms like placentas and plant-pollinator interactions. Methods developed in phylogenetic research are used to retrace the course of epidemics and identify the strains of influenza most likely to prevail in the next flu season. They have also been used to study the evolution of human language and trace the relationships among human populations. Technological innovation in molecular biology and advances in computational science have allowed modern phylogenetic analyses to be based on wide samplings of genomes, which has allowed us to trace the paths of evolution more deeply and precisely than ever before.
Faculty1
Emily Kopania
Our lab seeks to understand how selective pressures interact with developmental and functional constraints. We primarily do this by studying two different biological systems: (1) The evolution of the vertebrate retina and (2) The evolution of reproduction in rodents. Our work integrates cutting-edge genomics and transcriptomics techniques with phylogenetic comparative approaches to understand molecular and trait evolution.
Emily C. Lemmon
The goal of my research program is to understand how new species arise, from mating signals and the neural circuits that process them to the genomic changes that accompany speciation. I take an integrative approach that combines behavioral ecology, evolutionary neuroscience, phylogenetics, population genetics, and genomics, using amphibians—especially chorus frogs—as a model, while also applying phylogenomic methods across a wide range of animals and plants.
Austin R. Mast
My research program involves topics within the broadly defined area of biodiversity study. I am particularly interested in (1) the interplay of ecology and evolution that determines the form and function of plant life on Earth, (2) the use of biodiversity research specimens and digital information about them to bring that interplay into sharper focus, and (3) public engagement in the research to further science and STEM literacy goals.
Scott J. Steppan
I seek to understand the origin of biological diversity. The foundation for my research is estimating large phylogenies for highly diverse groups, especially rodents and bivalves, from population to ordinal levels, then using those phylogenies to answer many other questions about evolution.
Emeritus Faculty2
Associates2
Department of Scientific Computing Faculty2
Alan Lemmon
I study phylogenetic inference and genomics.
Coastal and Marine Lab Faculty1
1: Can mentor graduate students in the Department of Biological Science
2: Cannot mentor graduate students in the Department of Biological Science