Clay Small

Clay Small serves as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Data Science within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oregon. His interdisciplinary work bridges evolutionary genomics, computational biology, and host-microbe interactions, with a primary focus on bony fishes. Dr. Small leverages advanced genomic techniques to investigate evolutionary adaptations, particularly in syngnathid fishes (seahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons) and threespine sticklebacks, while maintaining active collaborations with the Institute of Ecology and Evolution.

Education

• Ph.D., Zoology - Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
• B.S., Zoology, cum laude - University of Idaho, Moscow, ID

Research Interests

Dr. Small investigates the genomic rules governing evolutionary repeatability, specializing in phenotypic novelties and host-microbe coevolution. His research integrates computational biology, evo-devo, and microbial ecology to understand how genetic variation drives biodiversity across molecular, phenotypic, and community levels. Key methodologies include next-generation sequencing, QTL mapping, and microbiome analysis.

His three primary study systems reveal deep evolutionary questions: (1) Genomic basis of male pregnancy in syngnathids; (2) Host genetic control of microbiome assembly in sticklebacks; (3) Developmental genetics of novel bone tissues in sculpins. This work has produced foundational genomic resources for syngnathid fishes and advanced models for human disease research.

Publication Trends

Dr. Small's recent publications (2019-2025) demonstrate a trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated genomic analyses of evolutionary adaptations. His 2022-2025 work focuses on chromosome-scale assemblies for syngnathiform fishes and single-cell sequencing to dissect developmental genetic mechanisms. Concurrently, his stickleback microbiome research reveals how host genotypes shape microbial communities, with implications for inflammatory diseases. A unifying theme is the application of computational genomics to decode evolutionary innovations.

Scientific Awards

No scientific awards or fellowships are documented in the available information.

Advising and Grants

Dr. Small teaches graduate courses in genomics, R programming, statistical inference, and data visualization through the Knight Campus Bioinformatics and Genomics Master's Program. While specific grant details aren't provided, his research has been supported by institutional resources at the University of Oregon and collaborative projects with the Cresko Lab. His work involves training students in genomic analysis techniques and mentoring on interdisciplinary research projects.

Labs and Teams

Dr. Small operates within the Institute of Ecology and Evolution and collaborates extensively with Bill Cresko's research group. His work involves interdisciplinary teams spanning computational biology, evolutionary genetics, and microbial ecology, often leveraging resources from the Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. Current projects include multi-institutional genome sequencing initiatives and experimental evolution studies of host-microbe dynamics.