Daniel Wegmann

Professor Daniel Wegmann is affiliated with the Department of Biology at the University of Fribourg, within the Faculty of Science and Medicine. His research focuses on statistical and computational methods in evolutionary biology, particularly in analyzing genomic data from ancient DNA, population genetics, and conservation biology. His work bridges disciplines such as bioinformatics, ecology, and archaeology, addressing questions about human prehistory, species adaptation, and biodiversity conservation. Notable contributions include studies on Neolithic population dynamics, admixture patterns in ancient populations, and the application of Bayesian models to infer evolutionary processes. His group develops tools like ATLAS for low-depth sequencing analysis and contributes to open-source software in population genetics.

Research interests emphasize the integration of genomic data with ecological and historical contexts, including projects on climate-driven range shifts, predator-prey dynamics in conservation, and the genomic origins of agricultural practices. Wegmann collaborates internationally, publishing in top journals like Science, Cell, and Nature Communications. His work often addresses applied challenges, such as quantifying ecological impacts and improving methods for analyzing sparse or degraded genetic samples.

Key projects include investigating demographic shifts in post-Roman Europe through historic genomes, analyzing wolf-livestock conflicts in Europe, and exploring the genetic basis of ecotype formation in marine species. His lab’s activities highlight the interplay between theoretical modeling and empirical data, aiming to advance both fundamental and applied biological research.