Craig T. Miller

Craig T. Miller is a Professor and GGED Division Head at the University of California, Berkeley, in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. He holds the Judy Chandler Webb Endowed Chair in the Biological Sciences. His research focuses on understanding the genetic basis of developmental and evolutionary changes in vertebrate head skeletons, particularly using the threespine stickleback fish as a model system. Miller’s lab investigates how genetic changes lead to morphological adaptations in response to environmental pressures, with a focus on craniofacial and dental patterns.

Miller earned his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon (2001), studying zebrafish craniofacial development under Dr. Charles Kimmel. He completed postdoctoral work at Stanford University with Dr. David Kingsley, focusing on stickleback evolution. He established his independent lab at UC Berkeley in 2009. His lab has pioneered studies on the genetic mechanisms underlying parallel evolution in sticklebacks, including gill raker reduction and tooth gain.

Key research areas include the molecular genetic basis of skeletal evolution, developmental timing of morphological changes, and the role of cis-regulatory elements in evolutionary adaptation. Miller has contributed to major findings, such as identifying Bmp6 enhancers driving tooth development and linking stickleback pigmentation genetics to human parallels. His work bridges evolutionary and developmental biology, with implications for understanding human skeletal disorders.

The Miller Lab collaborates extensively, with members including postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates. Notable alumni include Dr. Tyler Square (Postdoc) and Dr. Sophie Archambeault (Ph.D., focusing on tooth number evolution). The lab is located in 555 Weill Hall and actively seeks motivated researchers. Current projects explore tooth regeneration, genomic resources for sticklebacks, and evolutionary constraints on gene usage.