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Christian HofView profile

Professor

• Global Change Ecology
• Biodiversity
• Climate Change Impacts
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Christian Hof is a Chair Holder in the Department of Global Change Ecology at the University of Würzburg. His research focuses on biodiversity responses to climate change, species distribution modeling, and macroecological patterns. He holds a PhD from the University of Copenhagen (2010) and has held roles including Junior Research Group Leader at the Technical University of Munich (2018–2023) and Guest Scientist at Senckenberg BiK-F. Key affiliations include the Ecological Society of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and the German Young Academy. **Education**: PhD, University of Copenhagen (2010): Dissertation on species distributions and climate change M.Sc. in Biology, University of Marburg (2006): Thesis on freshwater fauna macroecology Civilian Service at Jordsand Society (1998–1999) **Research Interests**: Climate change impacts on biodiversity Physiological and dispersal constraints on species ranges Macroecological patterns in freshwater and terrestrial systems Protected area effectiveness and conservation strategies **Awards**: Horst-Wiehe Award (2019) Membership in German Young Academy (2015–2020) Supervisory Award (2021) **Grants & Funding**: Bavarian Network for Climate Research (BayKLiF) funding for junior research group e-fellows.net Scholarship (2004–2010) **Labs/Teams**: Leads the Hof Research Associates Team at the University of Würzburg, focusing on global change ecology and biodiversity conservation.

Nathan MorehouseView profile

Associate Professor

• Visual Ecology
• Sexual Selection
• Coevolutionary Dynamics
• +5 more

Nathan Morehouse is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cincinnati and Director of the Institute for Research in Sensing (IRiS). He holds a Ph.D. from Arizona State University (2009) and a B.S. from Cornell University (2000). His research focuses on the evolutionary biology of visual and behavioral traits in insects and spiders, particularly jumping spiders and butterflies. He investigates co-evolutionary dynamics of reproductive traits, sexual selection, and nutritional ecology, with an emphasis on how visual systems influence signal evolution. Education: Ph.D., Biology, Arizona State University, 2009 B.S., Biological Sciences, Cornell University, 2000 Key Research Interests: Visual ecology and color vision in jumping spiders Coevolution of male displays and female sensory systems Post-copulatory reproductive interactions in butterflies Art-science collaborations to enhance public engagement Grants and Funding: $1,028,734 (NSF) for research on jumping spider color vision $580,896 (NSF) for studies on female gaze and male courtship displays IRiS partnerships with industry (Kroger, Procter & Gamble) and federal agencies (NIOSH) Labs and Teams: Directs IRiS and leads the Morehouse Lab, which emphasizes interdisciplinary research and outreach. Collaborates with institutions globally, including the University of Tours (France) and UC’s engineering and arts colleges.

• Insect Physiology
• Behavioral Ecology
• Thermal Biology
• +7 more

Goggy Davidowitz is a Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Arizona. His research focuses on insect physiology, behavioral ecology, and evolutionary adaptations, particularly in pollinators and their interactions with environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and resource availability. His work explores topics like thermal tolerance, melanin pigmentation plasticity, nectarivory strategies, and the impacts of habitat fragmentation on insect physiology. Davidowitz's research spans diverse areas including the physiological costs of melanin production, the role of nectar resources in flight performance and oxidative stress mitigation, and the ecological implications of insect body size. His studies often integrate field observations with controlled laboratory experiments to understand how insects adapt to environmental challenges, particularly in arid and warming climates. Notably, he has investigated how insects prioritize resource allocation between growth, reproduction, and survival under varying conditions, including the trade-offs between flight energy expenditure and fecundity. His work also addresses applied topics such as using insect physiology to improve pest management strategies and exploring the viability of insects as sustainable protein sources. Davidowitz has received grants for collaborative projects, including studies on thermal limits in aquatic insects and the effects of landscape fragmentation on physiological trade-offs. His research has been published in leading journals and has contributed to broader discussions on climate change impacts on ecological mutualisms.

Mika ZagrobelnyView profile

Associate Professor

• Chemical Ecology
• Entomology
• Molecular Evolution
• +5 more

Mika Zagrobelny is an Associate Professor at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. Based at Blegdamsvej 3 in Copenhagen, they lead research in the Molecular Aging Program with a focus on chemical ecology and molecular evolution. Research interests center on chemical defense mechanisms in insects, particularly cyanogenesis in Lepidoptera. Key areas include the biosynthesis and sequestration of $$\text{cyanogenic glucosides}$$, plant-insect coevolution, aposematism, and the ecological significance of chemical defenses across insect life cycles. Their work bridges molecular biology, ecology, and evolutionary theory. Analysis of recent publications reveals consistent focus on cyanogenic compounds in butterflies and moths, with particular attention to Zygaenidae and Heliconiinae. The research integrates biochemical, ecological, and evolutionary approaches to understand how chemical defenses shape insect behavior, physiology, and speciation. Recent work has expanded to include pollinator-plant chemical interactions. Zagrobelny has organized numerous educational activities including high school workshops on PCR technology and plant biotechnology, demonstrating commitment to science outreach. Their research output shows strong international collaboration, particularly with researchers studying $$\text{cyanide}$$-based defense systems. Based on the Molecular Aging Program affiliation and cellular/molecular medicine department context, their work likely connects chemical ecology to broader biomedical questions regarding aging and cellular defense mechanisms, though explicit connections are not detailed in the available publications.

Kanchon DasmahapatraView profile

Lecturer

• Evolutionary Biology
• Genomics
• Population Genetics
• +3 more

Professor Kanchon Dasmahapatra is a Lecturer in Evolutionary Biology at the University of York and a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama. He holds an Associate Editor role at Animal Conservation . His research focuses on speciation, gene flow, and adaptation, using systems such as Heliconius butterflies, cichlid fish, and pinnipeds. He has a PhD in Genetic Analysis from the University of Cambridge (2004–2007) and prior postdoctoral work with Jim Mallet at UCL. His research interests include speciation with gene flow, adaptive introgression, and the genetic basis of extreme adaptations in organisms like Alcolapia cichlids. He collaborates globally with institutions such as the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and the University of Melbourne. Current projects involve genomic studies of hybridization, climate-driven range shifts in butterflies, and genetic consequences of extreme environments in fish. His lab includes postdocs, PhD students (e.g., Alex Page on invasive plants, Edd Page on Heliconius flight dynamics), and undergraduate researchers. Notable past students include Dr. Lucie Queste. He teaches modules on population genetics and ecological genetics, emphasizing interactive learning and critical analysis of primary literature. His work spans Heliconius mimicry evolution, soda lake cichlid adaptation, and heterozygosity-fitness correlations in pinnipeds. He leads NERC-funded projects and collaborates on grants like ‘The genetic basis of convergence across evolutionary time.’

James FordyceView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Ecology
• Plant-Insect Interactions
• Ecology
• +3 more

James Fordyce is a Professor and Head of Undergraduate Affairs in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research focuses on evolutionary ecology, particularly plant-insect interactions, aiming to understand microevolutionary processes and their macroevolutionary implications. He explores how factors like local adaptation, gene flow, and host plant fidelity drive diversification in butterflies and other insects. Education: Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of California, Davis (2003). Research Interests: Evolutionary mechanisms shaping biodiversity Plant-herbivore co-evolution (with a focus on butterflies) Genetic and phylogenetic approaches to ecological questions Climate change impacts on insect communities Key Research Systems: Pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor) life-history adaptations Lycaenid butterfly diversification (Lycaeides species complex) Host plant shifts in Melissa blue butterflies Labs/Teams: His research group uses integrative methods combining field experiments, phylogenetics, and chemical ecology. The lab is located in 569 Dabney Hall, Knoxville, TN.

Robert D. ReedView profile

Professor

• Developmental plasticity
• Evolution and development
• Gene regulation
• +5 more

Robert D. Reed is a Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Curator of Lepidoptera at Cornell University's Insect Collection. His research focuses on the developmental and evolutionary genetics of butterfly wing patterns, particularly exploring how color patterns arise and diversify under natural selection. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona (2004) and an A.B. from UC Berkeley (1997). His work integrates molecular genetics, ecology, and evolutionary biology to understand the genetic basis of adaptive traits like mimicry and seasonal plasticity. Notably, he identified key genes such as optix and WntA that regulate pattern formation. Reed's lab has produced over 50 publications, including landmark studies on cis-regulatory evolution and the genomic architecture of mimicry. He advises graduate students and postdocs, many of whom have become leading researchers in evolutionary biology. Education: Ph.D., Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona (2004) A.B., Integrative Biology, UC Berkeley (1997) Research Interests: Evolutionary genetics of butterfly wing patterns Regulatory evolution of developmental genes Seasonal plasticity and polyphenism Adaptive significance of color patterns in mimicry and camouflage Labs/Teams: Reed Lab at Cornell University Collaborations with institutions like Duke University and Penn State University

• Insect evolution
• biodiversity
• Lepidoptera
• +3 more

Akito Kawahara is a researcher at the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, specializing in insect evolution and biodiversity. His work focuses on Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), integrating genomic, ecological, and biogeographic approaches. He earned his B.S. from Cornell University (2002), M.S. from the University of Maryland (2007), and Ph.D. from the same university (2010). Education: Bachelor of Science, Cornell University (1999-2002) Master of Science, University of Maryland (2003-2007) Doctor of Philosophy, University of Maryland (2007-2010) His research interests include phylogenomics, behavioral ecology, and conservation biology. Notable projects involve genomic sequencing of moth species (e.g., Thalpophila matura , Eilema depressum ) to understand evolutionary adaptations. He also explores predator-prey dynamics, such as moth defenses against bats, and the impact of climate change on butterfly distributions. Recent work includes studies on dietary adaptations in Lepidoptera and the biogeography of grass-yellow butterflies. His publications highlight collaborations with institutions like the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the Darwin Tree of Life Consortium, funded by grants such as Wellcome Trust projects (206194, 218328). Kawahara leads the Kawahara Lab, focusing on integrative entomology. His interdisciplinary approach bridges genomics, ecology, and conservation, with contributions to citizen science initiatives like iNaturalist butterfly monitoring.

Anyi Mazo-VargasView profile

Assistant Professor

• Evolutionary Developmental Biology
• Entomology
• Morphology Genomics
• +5 more

Anyi Mazo-Vargas is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Duke University, affiliated with the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Cornell University (2020) and previously served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at George Washington University (2020–2023). Her research focuses on evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), particularly in butterflies and moths, investigating genetic mechanisms driving morphological diversity and adaptive traits like color patterns. Key areas include long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), Wnt signaling pathways, and cis-regulatory elements in wing pattern evolution. Her work has been supported by grants such as the NIH-funded 'Training Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology.' She leads the Mazo-Vargas Lab, dedicated to uncovering how genetic changes shape developmental processes and contribute to evolutionary adaptations. Notable contributions include studies on the role of lncRNAs in seasonal coloration and Wnt signaling in wing pattern formation. Publications span high-impact journals like Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and eLife , reflecting her expertise in genomic, developmental, and evolutionary biology. Her lab integrates functional genomics, comparative genomics, and experimental embryology to address fundamental questions in biodiversity and adaptation.

• Evolutionary Genomics
• Molecular Evolution
• Adaptation Mechanisms
• +2 more

James Lewis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry at Clemson University's College of Science. He leads the Evolutionary Genomics of Adaptation and Diversification Lab, where he investigates molecular mechanisms of adaptive evolution using lepidopteran models. His research integrates functional genomics, CRISPR, and computational approaches to study genotype-phenotype mapping. Education: Ph.D., Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University (2017) M.A., Philosophy, Virginia Tech (2010) Research Focus: Dr. Lewis investigates how complex traits evolve through regulatory changes, with emphasis on butterfly wing pattern mimicry. His work bridges population genetics, molecular evolution, and developmental biology to uncover mechanisms of adaptation and diversification in hybrid zones. Publication Trends: Recent articles (2019-2023) focus on evolutionary genomics of adaptive traits, regulatory architecture, sex chromosome evolution, and butterfly mimicry systems, with frequent publications in high-impact journals like Science , Nature Genetics , and PNAS . Awards & Fellowships: NSF CAREER Grant (2024-2029) NIH Postdoctoral Training Fellowships (T32 programs) Kieckhefer Adirondack Fellowship Cornell Comparative Population Genomics Fellowship Advising & Grants: Currently mentors 2 PhD and 1 MS students. Secured $1.3M NSF CAREER grant for butterfly mimicry research and $50K NIH grant for stress-response genomics. Previously mentored postdocs and undergraduates in genomics projects. Lab: Leads an active research group recruiting PhD students and postdocs, with recent work on heliconiine butterfly evolution and CRISPR-based trait mapping.

• Genetics
• Evolutionary Biology
• Developmental Biology
• +4 more

Joseph Hanly is a Postdoctoral Scientist in the Department of Biological Sciences at George Washington University, affiliated with the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on the genetic and developmental mechanisms underlying adaptive coloration and wing pattern evolution in butterflies, particularly Heliconius spp. and related taxa. He employs genomic, transcriptomic, and experimental approaches to study gene regulation, convergent evolution, and the evolution of novel traits. Research interests include the role of noncoding RNAs, cis-regulatory elements, and signaling pathways (e.g., Wnt) in patterning butterfly wings, as well as the evolutionary dynamics of genome structure and gene networks. His work bridges developmental biology, genetics, and evolutionary biology, with applications to understanding biodiversity and adaptation. Key contributions include studies on the cortex locus controlling scale cell identity, the genetic basis of iridescence, and the molecular mechanisms of wing pattern diversification. Hanly collaborates with Dr. Arnaud Martin’s lab and has published extensively on topics such as single-cell transcriptomics, CRISPR-based gene editing, and the evolutionary origins of mimicry. His articles reflect a focus on integrative approaches to unraveling the genetic architecture of complex traits, with implications for understanding how new traits arise and are maintained in nature.

• Developmental Biology
• Evolutionary Genetics
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Luca Livraghi is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Martin Lab at the Department of Biological Sciences, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, George Washington University. His research focuses on understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying butterfly wing pattern evolution, with a particular emphasis on the roles of non-coding RNAs, gene regulatory networks, and developmental processes. He employs cutting-edge techniques such as single-nucleus transcriptomics, CRISPR/Cas9, and genomic analyses to investigate how genetic changes lead to adaptive traits like coloration and morphological diversity. His work bridges developmental biology and evolutionary genetics, exploring topics such as cis-regulatory evolution, the function of lncRNAs in seasonal coloration, and the interplay between developmental flexibility and evolutionary determinism. Livraghi’s research contributes to broader questions about the origins of biodiversity and the genetic basis of convergent evolution in insects. Recent studies highlight his exploration of structural genomic variation, Wnt signaling pathways, and the role of gene deletions in disrupting wing patterning. His findings have implications for understanding how genetic innovations drive adaptive phenotypes in natural populations. Livraghi is affiliated with the Martin Lab, a research group dedicated to uncovering the molecular and developmental bases of morphological diversity in butterflies. His work has been published in leading journals, contributing to advancements in evolutionary developmental biology and genomics.

Arnaud MartinView profile

Associate Professor

• Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)
• Genetics
• Biodiversity
• +3 more

Arnaud Martin is an Associate Professor of Biology at the Department of Biological Sciences, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, George Washington University. His research focuses on evolutionary and developmental genetics of butterflies and moths, particularly exploring the genetic mechanisms underlying wing pattern diversification and coloration. He leads the Martin Lab, which investigates topics such as Wnt signaling pathways, cis-regulatory evolution, and CRISPR-based genetic tools. His work integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and experimental approaches to understand phenotypic evolution. Key research interests include the genetic basis of adaptive traits like iridescence, the role of noncoding RNAs in color pattern formation, and the evolutionary dynamics of genome content in Heliconiini butterflies. The lab also develops transgenic systems in Plodia moths and collaborates on projects like GepheBase , a database cataloging genotype-phenotype relationships in eukaryotes. Dr. Martin’s contributions span from fundamental evolutionary biology to educational initiatives involving CRISPR in undergraduate labs. His recent work highlights the importance of conserved signaling pathways (e.g., WntA, Ultrabithorax) in shaping butterfly wing patterns, as well as the molecular mechanisms driving sexual dimorphism and mimicry. Social media presence includes @evolvwing and @gephebase on Twitter, alongside an Instagram lab page.

R. Alexander PyronView profile

Associate Professor

• Systematics
• Evolutionary Biology
• Ecology
• +3 more

R. Alexander Pyron is the Robert F. Griggs Associate Professor of Biology at The George Washington University . His research integrates systematics, evolutionary biology, ecology, and phylogenetics to study reptiles, amphibians, and their macroecological patterns. Education: B.S., Piedmont College (2004); Ph.D., M.S., M.Phil., City University of New York (2009). His work addresses speciation mechanisms at local scales, evolutionary drivers of global diversity, and statistical methodologies for phylogenetic inference using multi-locus datasets. Key themes include divergence time estimation , evolutionary isolation , and conservation genetics . Pyron's publications span phylogenomic analyses of squamates , biogeographic modeling , and taxonomic revisions of snakes, salamanders, and geckos. He critiques methodological approaches in taxonomy and advocates for integrative species delimitation . Notable collaborative research includes genome-scale phylogeographic studies on Desmognathus salamanders (2017) and analyses of amphibian extinction risk . Dr. Pyron teaches graduate courses in biogeography and phylogenetic comparative biology . His work bridges computational phylogenetics with field-based taxonomic discovery , emphasizing the interplay between historical diversification and contemporary conservation challenges.

Duane LohView profile

Associate Professor

• Nanotechnology
• Biophysics
• Materials Science
• +3 more

Duane Loh is an Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS), affiliated with the Centre for BioImaging Sciences. His research focuses on developing computational methods to analyze microscopy data, combining machine learning with physical priors. He earned his PhD from Cornell University in 2010 and has pioneered techniques in X-ray and electron microscopy, particularly in single-particle imaging and nanocrystal dynamics. Education: PhD in Physics, Cornell University (2010) Research interests include structural dynamics of biomolecules, nucleation processes in nanocrystals, and improving imaging techniques through algorithmic innovations. His group, the Computational Lens Group, has developed methods like 'Dragonfly' for X-ray laser data analysis and 'Pop-out Metrology' for high-throughput TEM imaging. Recent work emphasizes machine learning applications in microscopy, such as classifying structural motifs in nanoparticles and studying ice nucleation in supercooled water. His team's advancements in data-driven analysis have enabled insights into biological systems and materials at nanometer scales. Key achievements include the NUS Early Career Research Award and recognition as a Lee Kuan Yew Postdoctoral Fellow. He leads interdisciplinary projects involving collaborators from physics, chemistry, and computational science. Current projects explore correlative imaging techniques for butterfly wing structures and developing AI-driven microscopy tools for real-time analysis. His group's GitHub repository hosts open-source software like 'Dragonfly' for single-particle reconstruction.