David Rogers

David Rogers is a Scientist and Chief Wizard at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology. His career spans interdisciplinary research at the intersection of molecular genetics, evolutionary biology, and reproductive behavior, with affiliations at McGill University, University College London, Imperial College London, and the Max Planck Institute.

Education:

• MSc in Biology from McGill University under Prof. Ronald Chase
• PhD in Evolutionary Biology from University College London under Prof. Andrew Pomiankowski

Research interests focus on molecular genetics, particularly developing tools for genetic manipulation of Pseudomonas fluorescens. He previously explored evolutionary questions in reproductive biology, including sexual ornamentation in stalk-eyed flies and love darts in helicid snails, before pivoting to genetic analyses of yeast mating pheromones and microbial physiology.

Publications highlight his work on genetic mechanisms in microbial systems, such as ribosome provisioning and bistable switches in stationary phase exit. His methodological contributions to analytical genetics bridge evolutionary theory and experimental genetics.