Jessica E. Garb

Jessica E. Garb is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, College of Sciences. Her research focuses on molecular evolution, systematic biology, genomics, and ecology, primarily using spiders as model organisms to study evolutionary processes.

• Education:
  • BS in Natural Resources, Cornell University
  • MS in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Hawaii Manoa
  • PhD in Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California Berkeley

Garb’s lab investigates the evolution of venom proteins and spider silk genes, exploring how genomic changes underpin ecological adaptations like prey capture and silk production. Recent research trends include chromosome-level genome assembly, transcriptomic analyses, and biomechanical characterization of spider silks.

Key collaborative projects involve multi-tissue transcriptomics, phylogenetic studies, and biomaterial engineering, with applications in biomedical research and material science. The lab’s work spans functional genomics, protein evolution, and taxonomic diversification of arachnids.

The Garb Lab maintains affiliations with institutions and researchers worldwide, focusing on spider systematics, venom complexity, and silk gland evolution. Current activities include investigating cryptic diversity in Caerostris spiders and mechanical properties of dragline silk.