Love Dalén

Love Dalén is an Associate Professor in Evolutionary Genomics at the Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, and a researcher at the Centre for Palaeogenetics. He also holds a research position at the Swedish Museum of Natural History. His academic career includes a postdoctoral position at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III in Madrid (2006-2007), and continuous affiliation with Stockholm University since 2009.

Dalén's educational background includes a PhD and postdoctoral training leading to his current position. His academic progression demonstrates consistent expertise in evolutionary biology and genomics.

His primary research interests focus on using DNA technology to investigate ecology and evolution throughout the Pleistocene epoch. Specifically, he examines how past environmental changes have shaped species distribution and abundance. His current work investigates mammalian demographic change, adaptive evolution, and hybridization during the last 2.5 million years, with special attention to Pleistocene climate fluctuations. His research group conducts extensive studies on mammoths, lemmings, bears, bison, and other Arctic species.

His recent publication record reveals strong emphasis on paleogenomics methodology development, Arctic species adaptation, population dynamics during climate change, and genomic erosion in endangered/extinct species. The work frequently combines ancient DNA analysis with modern genomic techniques to address evolutionary questions across geological timescales.

• ERC Advanced Grant (PrimiGenomes)
• Swedish Research Council Rådsprofessor Grant (2021-00625)

Dalén leads a research group at the Centre for Palaeogenetics that has developed specialized protocols for ancient DNA extraction and analysis, including high-throughput methods for large-scale screening. His team maintains active international collaborations and contributes significantly to understanding evolutionary processes through genomic analysis of both extinct and endangered species. The laboratory's work bridges evolutionary biology, genomics, paleontology, and conservation science, with important implications for understanding species' responses to climate change.