Darren Irwin

Dr. Darren Irwin is a Professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with the Biodiversity Research Centre. His research focuses on understanding speciation mechanisms, hybrid zones, and the evolutionary processes shaping biodiversity. Central to his work is an integrative approach combining genomic analysis, field observations, and computational modeling. Key research systems include passerine birds (e.g., warblers, woodpeckers) and salamanders, with studies spanning Asia, Europe, North America, and the Pacific Northwest. His lab explores topics such as hybrid zone stability, genomic differentiation patterns, cytonuclear interactions, and migratory behavior evolution.

• Research Highlights:
• Analysis of hybrid zones in yellow-rumped warblers, flameback woodpeckers, and other avian species.
• Development of the Hybrid Zone with Assortative Mating (HZAM) simulation tool in Julia.
• Discovery of cryptic species, such as the Pacific wren, now recognized taxonomically.
• Investigation of migratory divide genetics in Swainson’s thrushes and Wilson’s warblers.

Publications emphasize genomic approaches to study speciation, with recent work on three-way hybrid zones in Sri Lankan flamebacks and Z-chromosome-driven plumage divergence in yellowhammers. His lab actively trains graduate students and postdocs, fostering interdisciplinary research in evolutionary biology.