Ana Caicedo

Ana Caicedo is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she also serves as the Graduate Program Director for the Plant Biology Interdisciplinary Graduate Program. She conducts research in plant molecular evolution and evolutionary genomics, with a focus on adaptation in agricultural environments and crop wild relatives.

Education:

• B.S., Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
• Ph.D., Washington University, St. Louis
• Postdoctoral, North Carolina State University

Her research integrates population genetics, molecular evolution, evolutionary ecology, and comparative genomics to investigate the genetic basis of adaptive traits in plants such as rice (Oryza sativa) and wild tomatoes (Solanum cheesmaniae). She studies the molecular evolution of weedy rice, crop domestication, and diversification under selection. Her lab emphasizes both empirical and genomic approaches to understand evolutionary processes.

The most recent publications highlight long-term research on nucleotide diversity, gene regulation, and selection in domesticated and weedy rice, as well as flowering time evolution and disease resistance genes. These works reflect a consistent focus on evolutionary genomics, adaptive divergence, and the molecular signatures of natural and artificial selection.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Lotta Crabtree Fellowship
• Bigelow Fellowship
• Gilgut Fellowship
• Root & Shoot Research Coordination Network Award
• Best Undergraduate Poster Award at NDiSTEM Conference

Ana actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students, including PhD candidates and REU participants. Her lab has received multiple fellowships and research grants supporting student research. She is also engaged in professional service, including organizing sessions on disability inclusion in STEM and serving on national panels. The Caicedo Lab fosters a collaborative environment with visiting scholars and international collaborations.

Laboratory and Team: The Caicedo Lab at UMass Amherst investigates plant evolutionary genetics, with current projects on Vavilovian mimicry, rice microbiome, and stress tolerance in wild tomatoes. The team includes PhD students, undergraduates, postdoctoral visitors, and international collaborators, contributing to a dynamic and inclusive research environment.