Find Academic Supervisors

Silu WangView profile

Assistant Professor

• Speciation
• Adaptation
• Forest Evolutionary Genomics
• +3 more

Dr. Silu Wang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Buffalo. Her research focuses on speciation, adaptation, and forest evolutionary genomics, particularly in avian species. She leads the Forest Speciation Lab, studying the genomic and ecological mechanisms underlying species divergence in North American and global forest ecosystems. Her work integrates field studies, genomic analyses, and computational modeling to address biodiversity conservation challenges under climate change. Education: BS in Behavior Genetics and Neurobiology, University of Toronto MA in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Texas, Austin PhD in Zoology, University of British Columbia Postdoctoral Research at University of California Berkeley and UC Davis Research Interests: Dr. Wang investigates how hybridization, climate adaptation, and reproductive isolation shape avian biodiversity. Her lab uses old-growth forest bird species as models to study early-stage speciation processes, including mate choice, genetic incompatibilities, and mitochondrial-nuclear interactions. Key themes include understanding organismal responses to environmental changes and developing genomic tools for conservation prioritization. Lab and Teams: The Forest Speciation Lab collaborates with institutions globally, focusing on fieldwork in temperate and tropical forests. Current projects include studies on warbler hybrid zones, tinamou speciation, and the genomic architecture of mitonuclear coevolution. Teaching: Dr. Wang teaches courses on Speciation, Tropical Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology, emphasizing hands-on research training for students.

Julie Lee-YawView profile

Assistant Professor

• Evolutionary Ecology
• Global Change Biology
• Conservation Biology
• +5 more

Julie Lee-Yaw is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on evolutionary ecology, global change biology, and conservation, particularly examining eco-evolutionary dynamics of species ranges. She leads the Lee-Yaw Lab, which integrates field surveys, GIS modeling, population genomics, and synthesis methods to study species' adaptability in marginal environments. The lab emphasizes amphibians as key study organisms due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. Her work addresses critical questions about how species respond to climate change, habitat fragmentation, and human-induced pressures. Recent studies have explored species distribution models' reliability, translocation strategies for conservation, and latitudinal gradients in ecological interactions. Lee-Yaw collaborates across disciplines to bridge theoretical and applied conservation science, with a focus on informing policy and management decisions. Key research themes include understanding the genetic and ecological mechanisms underlying range limits, predicting species' responses to global change, and developing tools for conservation translocations. Her lab also investigates hybrid fitness in migratory divides and mitonuclear coevolution in avian species complexes, highlighting evolutionary processes shaping biodiversity. Education: Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology (not specified), postdoctoral training in conservation ecology. Labs/Teams: Lee-Yaw Lab at University of Ottawa, affiliated with conservation networks and ecological modeling initiatives. Grants/Support: Not explicitly listed in provided texts, but implied through active research output.

Bastiaan StarView profile

Professor

• Ancient DNA
• Population Genomics
• Evolutionary Ecology
• +7 more

Bastiaan Star is a Professor at the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES) at the University of Oslo, where he leads research integrating ancient DNA, genomics, and evolutionary ecology to study historical environmental changes and human impacts on marine organisms. His work spans Atlantic walrus, cod, herring, and New Zealand snapper, examining genetic variation, population structure, and responses to human exploitation over centuries to millennia. Star's research focuses on ancient DNA analysis of archaeological material (hundreds to thousands of years old), collaborating closely with archaeologists and zooarchaeologists. Key interests include population genomics , local adaptation , thermal physiology , and bioinformatics development for degraded samples. His group investigates how long-distance trade networks, climate change, and fisheries exploitation have shaped marine biodiversity through time. His recent publications reveal trends in marine historical ecology , demonstrating how ancient DNA exposes millennial-scale population dynamics in exploited species. Work spans walrus ivory trade chronology, Atlantic bluefin tuna demographic collapse, puffin hybridization due to climate shifts, and medieval cod trade routes. This research combines high-throughput sequencing, computational biology, and interdisciplinary archaeological approaches. Star actively collaborates on major projects including: BEEDIVERSE: Wild bee conservation through functional ecology and genomics SeaChanges: Human exploitation thresholds in marine vertebrates The Impact of Art: Ancient DNA tracing historic walrus trade EvoCave: Population genomics of Atlantic puffins He leads the Archaeogenomics group at CEES, developing methodologies for ancient DNA extraction from challenging substrates like fish bones and degraded archaeological specimens. His work bridges molecular biology, ecology, and archaeology to reconstruct past ecosystems and inform conservation strategies.

Theodore SchurrView profile

Professor

• Population Genetics
• Anthropological Genetics
• Bioarchaeology
• +5 more

Theodore Schurr is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts and Sciences, specializing in the biological history and complex diseases of African populations through genomic analysis. His work bridges anthropology, genetics, and archaeology to explore human migration patterns, population continuity, and disease susceptibility across global communities. Schurr's research spans population genetics, bioarchaeology, and ancient DNA analysis with emphases on African diaspora populations, indigenous communities in the Americas, and Caucasus region ethnogenesis. He investigates mitochondrial and Y-chromosome diversity, mitonuclear interactions in metabolic disorders, and community-engaged approaches to ethical genetic research. His methodology integrates genomic data with historical records and archaeological contexts to reconstruct population histories. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in ancient DNA studies of Charleston burial grounds, Western Georgian population continuity, and Polynesian metabolic adaptation. His work consistently examines how colonialism, migration, and admixture shape genetic diversity, with growing emphasis on community collaboration as seen in the Anson Street African Burial Ground Project's immersive educational initiatives. Schurr has supervised doctoral research on physiological stress in healthcare workers, genetic history of island populations, and inequity in neonatal care. His projects frequently involve multi-institutional teams focused on ethical frameworks for genetic research in indigenous and diaspora communities, particularly in the Caucasus and Caribbean regions.

Meghann B. HumphriesView profile

Assistant Professor

• Wildlife biology
• Evolution
• Ecology
• +4 more

Meghann B. Humphries is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Her research integrates genetic data, morphometrics, and vocal variation to explore historical demography, species limits, and mitonuclear discordance in West Indian avian populations, particularly focusing on host-malaria parasite interactions. Research Focus: Wildlife biology, evolutionary ecology, and population genetics. Key Topics: Avian phylogeography, host-parasite dynamics, Caribbean ornithology, and conservation genetics. Publications (2019) highlight her work on species delimitation in Myiarchus flycatchers, demographic cycling in Coereba flaveola, and genetic structure of avian malaria parasites across the West Indies. Her methodologies span genomics and ecological modeling. Lab Affiliation: She contributes to the Ricklefs Lab , which investigates evolutionary ecology, island biogeography, and host-parasite interactions.

Yaniv BrandvainView profile

Associate Professor

• Plant Evolutionary Genomics
• Speciation
• Hybridization
• +5 more

Yaniv Brandvain is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Biology within the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. He leads the "higgledy piggledy lab" which focuses on plant evolutionary genomics, with research spanning speciation, hybridization, adaptation, mating system evolution, and genomic conflict. His research interests include: Plant speciation mechanisms and the role of hybridization Mating system evolution in plants Genomic approaches to understanding evolutionary processes Plant domestication and de novo domestication efforts Reproductive isolation and genomic conflict Evolutionary consequences of selfing versus outcrossing Dr. Brandvain's research integrates population and quantitative genomic theory with empirical data analysis to address fundamental evolutionary questions. His work combines molecular genetics, comparative analyses, and theoretical modeling to understand the origin and maintenance of species diversity. A key aspect of his research program involves studying plant speciation using diverse model systems including Mimulus, Capsella, Helianthus, and Silphium. Scientific recognition: McKnight Land Grant Professor Dr. Brandvain actively mentors postdoctoral researchers and has collaborated extensively with colleagues across the University of Minnesota including Suzanne McGaugh, David Moeller, Emma Goldberg, James Pease, Kevin Smith, Candice Hirsch, and Peter Tiffin. He co-founded evolTWIN, a cross-departmental evolutionary biology group that facilitates collaboration among evolutionary biologists in the Twin Cities area. His lab has been instrumental in advancing the domestication of Silphium as a potential new perennial crop. The Brandvain lab maintains a strong presence in the evolutionary biology community, regularly presenting at major conferences and advocating for open science practices including the use of preprint servers for rapid dissemination of research findings.

• Plant Adaptation
• Population Genomics
• Comparative Genomics
• +3 more

Ed McAssey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut. His research focuses on plant adaptation to environmental variability, particularly using genomic approaches in sunflowers and Yucca species. Collaborating with Karolina Heyduk, he explores hybridization impacts on speciation through molecular evolution and genome analysis. His work integrates plant physiology and comparative genomics to understand adaptive mechanisms in plants. Research interests include population genomics, CAM photosynthesis evolution in Agavoideae, and the ecological genetics of coastal shrubs. His studies bridge field observations with lab-based genomic techniques, emphasizing functional genomics in ecological contexts. Recent work emphasizes genomic methodologies in understudied plant systems, including the development of tools for crop improvement (e.g., mPing-based mutagenesis) and analysis of herbarium specimens for genomic studies. His teaching focuses on ecology and evolutionary biology, reflecting his research expertise. No scientific awards have been explicitly mentioned, though his research has addressed topics ranging from transposable element dynamics to CAM photosynthesis evolution. Collaboration networks include studies on Yucca speciation and sunflower seed oil composition. No advising or grant details are provided in the text. Affiliation addresses include the 75 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3043, Storrs, CT 06269.

Nathan E. RankView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Ecology
• Population Genetics
• Coevolution
• +3 more

Nathan E. Rank is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Sonoma State University, affiliated with the College of Science, Technology, and Business. His research focuses on evolutionary ecology, population genetics, and coevolutionary dynamics between plants and their herbivores/pathogens. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis (1990), with postdoctoral training at institutions in Belgium and Switzerland. Education: Ph.D., University of California, Davis (1990) Postdoctoral: Free University of Brussels, University of Basel, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology His research program centers on montane leaf beetle (Chrysomela aeneicollis) population dynamics, thermal adaptation, and invasive species impacts like Phytophthora ramorum. Key themes include genetic variation in natural populations, plant-herbivore-pathogen interactions, and climate change effects on ectotherms. Recent publications (2017–2023) explore genomic adaptations, transcriptomic responses to dormancy, snow-mediated energy use, and invasive pathogen genetics. His work bridges evolutionary genetics, ecology, and applied conservation biology. Teaching includes courses in Evolution & Ecology, Entomology, and Advanced Evolutionary Biology.

• Evolutionary biology
• Mitochondrial genomes
• Oxidative stress
• +3 more

Professor Damian Dowling is a faculty member at Monash University's School of Biological Sciences, holding roles as an ARC Australian Research Fellow and Monash Fellow. His research focuses on evolutionary biology, particularly mitochondrial genome evolution, oxidative stress impacts on life history, and sexually antagonistic coevolution. Key projects include investigating endosymbiont-host fitness interactions (2025–2028), mitochondrial adaptation via heteroplasmy (2021–2026), and climate adaptation in Australo-Papuan songbirds (2020–2021). His work addresses themes like mitochondrial genetic variation's role in behavior, sex-specific responses to environmental changes, and nuclear-mitochondrial interactions. Over 99 research outputs span articles, reviews, and grants, with recent highlights including behavioral diversity linked to mitochondrial variation (2024) and diet's transgenerational effects (2023–2024). Projects involve collaborations on aquatic tetrapod evolution, mosquito tracking systems, and neo-sex chromosome studies. His research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to environmental protection and biodiversity. Grants and funding include ARC and NHMRC support.

Geoffrey E. HillView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Ornithology
• Mitonuclear Interactions
• +7 more

Geoffrey E. Hill is the William P. Molette Professor and Curator of Birds in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University. He is a leading researcher in evolutionary biology, focusing on mitonuclear interactions, sexual selection, and avian coloration. His lab integrates molecular genetics, physiology, and ecology to understand the evolution of ornamentation and speciation. Education: Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1991 M.S., University of New Mexico, 1986 B.S., Indiana University, 1983 Dr. Hill's research centers on how mitochondrial and nuclear gene interactions influence eukaryotic evolution. He investigates how mitonuclear compatibility affects female mate choice, carotenoid metabolism, and cellular respiration. His lab has been instrumental in uncovering the genetic basis of bird coloration, including the role of the SCARB1 and BCO2 genes. After a period focusing on speciation and copepods, the lab has returned to studying the environmental and genetic controls of carotenoid coloration in birds. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in integrating molecular genetics with evolutionary theory, particularly in linking mitochondrial function to honest signaling in sexual selection. Work published in Nature Communications , Science , and PNAS highlights his lab's impact on understanding the mechanistic basis of ornamental traits and speciation. Scientific Awards: Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GFRP) – awarded to advisee Emma Rhodes, reflecting lab excellence Dr. Hill advises graduate students and has mentored several who have secured postdoctoral positions, such as Matt Powers (Barreto Lab, Oregon State) and Nick Justyn (Allen Lab, Swansea University). His lab receives research funding enabling integrative studies across genetics, physiology, and evolution. He teaches Ornithology (BIOL5750) and co-teaches a graduate seminar on Mitonuclear Ecology and Sexual Selection (BIOL6750). The Hill Lab is an active research group focused on the evolution of animal ornamentation from a mitonuclear perspective. Current work aims to unify theories of sex, sexual selection, and speciation under the umbrella of mitonuclear coadaptation. The lab recently refocused on bird coloration, promising new insights into the genetic and environmental regulation of carotenoid-based plumage.

Suzanne EdmandsView profile

Professor

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

Suzanne Edmands is a Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC), affiliated with the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. She is also associated with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies. Her research focuses on conservation, population, and evolutionary genetics, using model organisms like the tidepool copepod Tigriopus californicus and the Channel Island fox to study genetic basis of reproductive isolation, stress tolerance, and aging. Her work bridges field studies, molecular genetics, and controlled breeding experiments. Edmands holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz (1994), followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Oregon (1996–1998) and Scripps Institution of Oceanography (1994–1996). She joined USC as a tenure-track faculty member in 2005. Her research has produced significant contributions to understanding genomic recovery in bottlenecked populations, mitochondrial effects on longevity, and environmental stress responses in marine organisms. Her publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to ecological and evolutionary questions, with a focus on conservation applications. Recent work explores sex-specific genetic responses to environmental stressors and the evolutionary implications of mitochondrial-nuclear interactions. Edmands' lab also investigates the genetic diversity of species critical to conservation efforts, such as the Channel Island fox. Advising and grants are central to her academic contributions, though specific grant details are not provided. She maintains active collaborations in marine and evolutionary biology, with a lab dedicated to advancing genetic and ecological research. Her work underscores the importance of integrating genetic data with ecological contexts to address real-world conservation challenges.

Ryan WeaverView profile

Assistant Professor

• Mitochondrial Physiology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Bioenergetics
• +3 more

Ryan Weaver is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Iowa State University, leading the Evolutionary Bioenergetics Lab. His research investigates how organisms meet bioenergetic demands under environmental and physiological stressors, focusing on mitochondrial physiology, mitonuclear coevolution, and carotenoid metabolism. Study systems include fungal pathogens, copepods, snails, and bumblebees. Education includes a B.S. in Environmental Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University (2013) and a Ph.D. in Biology from Auburn University (2018). His work integrates experimental and bioinformatic methods to explore evolutionary dynamics of energy production systems and signal honesty in animal coloration. Research themes emphasize mitochondrial alternative oxidase evolution, genomic signatures of mitonuclear interactions, and the role of carotenoids in honest signaling. His 2023 publications highlight critiques of condition-dependent trait theories and methodological approaches in ecological data analysis. Notable work includes studies on hybrid dysfunction in carotenoid production and lifespan predictions from early-life reproductive events. Grants include a 2019 NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship investigating mitochondrial respiratory chain roles in sexual reproduction. The lab’s interdisciplinary focus bridges evolutionary physiology, genetics, and ecology, with implications for understanding organismal adaptation to challenging environments.

David M RandView profile

Professor

• Molecular Evolution
• Population Genetics
• Ecological Genetics
• +7 more

David M. Rand is the Stephen T. Olney Professor of Natural History and Vice Chair of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Brown University. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Yale University (1987) and a B.A. in Biology from Harvard University (1980). His research focuses on mitochondrial genetics, evolutionary genomics, and the interplay between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes in Drosophila. Rand has led major initiatives, including directing the Center for Computational Molecular Biology and the NSF-funded Reverse Ecology IGERT program. His work spans evolutionary genetics, population biology, and the molecular basis of aging, with over 100 peer-reviewed publications. Awards include the Stephen T. Olney Chair and Dean's Award for Teaching. Research interests include mitochondrial-nuclear coevolution, thermal stress adaptation, and the genetic architecture of complex traits. He has pioneered studies on mitonuclear interactions, demonstrating their roles in fitness, aging, and disease. Collaborations involve computational biology, microbial ecology, and systems biology. Rand's lab also investigates environmental impacts on genetic variation, such as in barnacles and killifish populations. Grants include NIH funding for mitochondrial genetics of aging and nuclear-mitochondrial fitness interactions. His lab trains graduate students in interdisciplinary approaches, with notable advisees like Joaquin Nunez and Adam Spierer. He serves on editorial boards of Genetics and Biological Sciences , and has reviewed for multiple journals including Science and Nature .

David ClancyView profile

Lecturer

• Biogerontology
• Ageing Biology
• Predictive Biomarkers
• +5 more

Dr. David Clancy is a Lecturer in Biogerontology at Lancaster University's Faculty of Health and Medicine, within the Biomedical and Life Sciences Department. His research focuses on delaying aging-related changes through molecular and behavioral biomarker discovery, using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism to test anti-aging interventions. Key areas include mitochondrial genetics, mitonuclear interactions, and lifespan determinants. He has contributed to international collaborations like the International Consensus Statement on Aging Pathologies and leads projects exploring drug targets for human aging. His work spans molecular mechanisms, environmental interactions, and evolutionary biology. Notable research includes studies on mitochondrial DNA deletions, sex-specific aging effects, and maternal inheritance impacts. Clancy has published extensively since the 1990s, with recent work emphasizing translational applications of model organisms and biomarker validation. He collaborates with the Centre for Ageing Research and Ageing and Neuroscience groups. His lab investigates topics ranging from mitochondrial dysfunction to leadership survey methodologies, reflecting interdisciplinary interests.

• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics
• Mitochondrial-Nuclear Coevolution
• +3 more

Suzanne Estes is an Associate Dean, Professor, and Interim Chair in the Department of Biology at Portland State University (PSU). She holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Oregon and a B.S. in Biology from East Central University, Oklahoma. Her research focuses on evolutionary genetics, mitochondrial-nuclear coevolution, and supporting Indigenous STEM students. She led PSU’s Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program and co-designed the Vernier Science Center and Indigenous Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge (ITECK) Center. Education: Ph.D. Biology, University of Oregon (Year unspecified) B.S. Biology, East Central University (Year unspecified) NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship at Oregon State University (Year unspecified) Dr. Estes’ research bridges evolutionary biology and applied education. Her work on mitochondrial-nuclear interactions explores how genetic mutations influence evolutionary outcomes. She champions Indigenous knowledge systems, advocating for their integration with Western sciences. Her LSAMP initiatives provide academic and career support for Native and BIPOC STEM students, emphasizing community engagement and culturally responsive practices. Her publications span evolutionary mechanisms, mitochondrial dynamics, and STEM equity. Notable themes include mitonuclear coevolution under stress, selfish mitochondrial DNA propagation, and the impact of intervention programs on student retention. Awards: National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship As an administrator, Dr. Estes oversees grants and initiatives fostering diversity in STEM. She collaborates on capital projects merging scientific infrastructure with Indigenous ecological principles, exemplifying her commitment to inclusive academic environments.