Rich Adams

Rich Adams is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at the University of Arkansas. He also serves as Director of the Experiment Station (DREX) and holds roles in the Center for Agricultural Data Analytics (CADA). His research focuses on statistical genetics, phylogenomics, computational genomics, and AI-driven applications in genetics. He leads the Adams Analytics Group, which develops tools like TraitTrainR for trait evolution modeling and phylogenetic analysis. His work includes sequencing genomes of organisms like the red milkweed beetle and bed bugs, and he collaborates on projects involving fungal phylogenies and rattlesnake venom evolution.

Recent research highlights include robust phylogenetic regression methods, likelihood-based species tree hypothesis tests, and genomic studies on bed bug demography. His team advises students such as Jenniffer Roa Lozano (MS in Statistics) and Mataya Duncan (MS in CEMB). Key contributions include the TraitTrainR package and PhyloWGA for phylogenetic analysis, reflecting his expertise in bridging computational methods with biological questions.