Kunal Arekar

Kunal Arekar is a Lecturer at the University of Arizona's College of Information Science. He holds a PhD in Wildlife Science from Saurashtra University, an MS in Biodiversity from Pune University, and a BS in Biotechnology from Mumbai University. His research focuses on evolutionary biology, phylogenetics, bioinformatics, and climatic niche modeling, with a specialization in primate speciation and adaptation to climate change. He integrates genomic data and paleoclimatic models to explore evolutionary processes.

Prior to his current role, Arekar was a postdoctoral scientist at the Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore, India) and a visiting assistant project scientist at UCLA's Lynch Lab. He has received the National Postdoctoral Fellowship (NPDF) from India's Department of Science and Technology. His teaching includes courses on data mining (INFO 523) and Bayesian modeling (INFO 410/510), emphasizing inclusive pedagogy and mentorship.

• Research Highlights: Speciation mechanisms, hybridization in primates, climate change impacts, and statistical methodologies in evolutionary biology.
• Key Skills: Bioinformatic tools, phylogenetic analysis, machine learning, and interdisciplinary data integration.

His work bridges ecology and genomics, addressing questions about biodiversity origins and conservation. Collaborations include projects on Himalayan langurs and primate genetic diversity, with outputs spanning phylogenetics, population genetics, and ecological niche modeling.