معرفی
Douglas R. Cavener is the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Distinguished Chair in Evolutionary Genetics and a Professor of Biology at The Pennsylvania State University. He is affiliated with the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, a multidisciplinary research unit within the university. His work bridges molecular genetics, developmental biology, and evolutionary studies, focusing on vertebrate adaptations and conservation genetics.
Dr. Cavener holds a B.A. from Pasadena College (1973), an M.S. from Brown University (1977), and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia (1980). He completed postdoctoral training at Cornell University (1980–1982). His research has explored the molecular mechanisms underlying developmental processes and evolutionary innovations, particularly in the context of giraffe morphology and physiology, and the role of the PERK protein kinase in cellular stress responses.
Central to his current research are two major themes: 1) Genetic basis of giraffe adaptations, including comparative genomics of giraffes and okapi to identify genes responsible for long necks, cardiovascular systems, and coat patterns. 2) Conservation genetics, studying Masai giraffe populations in Tanzania to assess threats like habitat fragmentation and climate change. He also investigates PERK’s role in insulin processing, neurodegenerative diseases, and myelination disorders, contributing to medical genetics advancements.
His scientific achievements include the Theodosius Dobzhansky Prize and AAAS Fellowship. Collaborations with Derek Lee and Monica Bond highlight his interdisciplinary approach to wildlife conservation. Cavener’s lab integrates genomic tools, ecological fieldwork, and cellular biology to address evolutionary questions and human health applications.
Advising and grants: No formal advisee names are listed in the provided text. His research has been supported by grants focusing on genomic sequencing, conservation biology, and cellular stress pathways, though specific grant details are not disclosed. His lab team emphasizes collaborative projects with field ecologists and geneticists to translate biological insights into actionable conservation strategies.
Labs/Teams: Cavener leads a research group within the Huck Institutes, specializing in evolutionary genomics and PERK signaling. His work involves partnerships with wildlife organizations and employs cutting-edge technologies like CRISPR/Cas9 and genomic sequencing to study giraffe and okapi adaptations, as well as PERK’s role in diseases such as diabetes and Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy.
