Victoria L. Sork

Victoria L. Sork is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Director of the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden. Her research focuses on evolutionary conservation science, particularly the conservation of tree populations, with an emphasis on California oaks. She integrates ecological and evolutionary insights into practical conservation strategies, such as reserve design and assisted gene flow, to address climate change impacts. Her work spans temperate and tropical regions, including studies on oak species in California, Central/South America, and Africa.

Dr. Sork leads major initiatives like the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP), funded by the State of California, which applies genomic tools to protect California’s biodiversity. She has been elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, recognizing her contributions to conservation biology and evolutionary science.

Her research emphasizes the role of historical and contemporary gene flow, using genetic and genomic approaches to understand adaptation. Recent studies explore how oak populations respond to climate change, focusing on genetic diversity, epigenetic regulation, and phenotypic plasticity. She collaborates across disciplines, linking genomic data with ecological observations to inform policy and conservation actions.

Dr. Sork’s publications highlight themes such as seed dispersal dynamics, climate adaptation in oaks, and the genomic basis of local adaptation. Her work bridges theory and application, aiming to translate scientific findings into actionable conservation strategies for ecosystems under threat.