Judith Mank

Dr. Judith Mank is a Professor and Canada 150 Research Chair in Evolutionary Genomics at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Department of Zoology. She leads the Mank Lab, focusing on evolutionary genomics, sexual dimorphism, and sex chromosome evolution. Her work integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and ecological approaches to study how selection shapes phenotypic diversity.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Genetics, University of Georgia (2006)
• M.S. in Forest Resources, Pennsylvania State University (2001)
• B.A. in Anthropology, University of Florida (1997)

Research Interests:

Her lab investigates the genetic and genomic basis of sexual dimorphism, sex chromosome evolution, and dosage compensation. Key areas include:

• Genetic mechanisms underlying sexual conflict and adaptation
• Evolutionary dynamics of sex chromosomes (e.g., Y and W chromosomes)
• Role of transposable elements and epigenetics in genome evolution
• Behavioral genomics and social behavior in fish

Awards & Honors:

• 2020 Honorary Doctorate, Uppsala University
• 2016 Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship
• 2013 Zoological Society of London Scientific Medal

Labs & Collaborations:

The Mank Lab is part of UBC’s Biodiversity Research Centre and collaborates with global institutions. They maintain state-of-the-art facilities for molecular genetics, including single-cell RNA-Seq and fish behavior experiments. Current projects involve guppies, willows, and other model organisms to study sex chromosome evolution and sexual selection.