John Taylor

Dr. John Taylor is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Victoria, specializing in molecular evolution and visual systems. His research focuses on opsin gene diversity and expression patterns in aquatic species, particularly fish adaptations to different light environments. Using techniques like qPCR and immunostaining, his lab investigates retinal photoreceptors in species ranging from Amazonian catfish to British Columbia flounder.

Research interests center on evolutionary mechanisms governing sensory systems, with emphasis on:

• Molecular adaptations in subterranean species
• Photoreceptor plasticity in marine environments
• Comparative genomics of visual pigments

His publications show consistent focus on visual system evolution across taxonomic groups, with recent work exploring gene duplication events and spectral tuning mechanisms in aquatic species.