Tyler R Kartzinel

Tyler R Kartzinel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Brown University and a member of the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society. He leads the Genomic Opportunities Lab (GenOps), an interdisciplinary research group that combines molecular ecology, fieldwork, ecological theory, and data science to understand biodiversity, species interactions, and environmental change. His work spans multiple continents including Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania), South America (Costa Rica, Chile), and North America (Yellowstone National Park, New England), focusing on conservation-relevant questions at the interface of genomics and ecology.

Dr. Kartzinel's research interests center on conservation biology and molecular ecology, with particular emphasis on dietary DNA metabarcoding, gut microbiome analysis, and biodiversity monitoring. His work bridges fundamental ecological questions about species interactions and community dynamics with practical conservation applications. He has developed innovative genomic approaches to study food webs, dietary niche partitioning, and the impacts of large herbivores on ecosystem structure and function. His research integrates field experiments with laboratory molecular techniques to address pressing conservation challenges in a changing world.

The 15 most recent publications reveal a strong focus on dietary ecology, microbiome science, and conservation genomics. His work consistently applies DNA-based techniques to understand wildlife diets, host-microbe interactions, and ecosystem dynamics across diverse systems from African savannas to Yellowstone National Park. Key trends include the development of CRISPR-based genomic tools for biodiversity science, investigation of diet-microbiome relationships across multiple taxa, and the application of molecular techniques to address conservation-relevant questions about endangered species and ecosystem management.

• 2018-2022 Ecological Society of America Early Career Fellow

Dr. Kartzinel leads multiple research projects funded by the National Science Foundation and other agencies, including long-term studies in African savannas and Yellowstone National Park. His UHURU experiment in Kenya has generated over 12 years of data on large herbivore exclusion effects. He actively collaborates with conservation organizations worldwide to translate research findings into practical conservation solutions. His lab trains undergraduate and graduate students in molecular ecology techniques and conservation applications.

The Genomic Opportunities Lab maintains state-of-the-art molecular facilities at Brown University for pre- and post-PCR work. The lab collaborates extensively with researchers across Brown's departments and with international conservation organizations. They develop and share field-tested protocols and open-source software to advance ecological research globally, with particular focus on making genomic tools accessible for conservation practitioners in diverse settings.