M. Elise Lauterbur

M. Elise Lauterbur is an Assistant Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the Department of Biology, University of Vermont. Her research integrates ecology, evolutionary biology, and computational methods to study how organisms adapt to threats such as pathogens, toxins, and climate change.

• Alma Mater: Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from Stony Brook University (2019), B.A. in Biology and B.M. in Music from Oberlin College/Conservatory (2008)
• Affiliation: Lauterbur EvoEco Lab, Bat1K Consortium, GBatNet, PopSim Consortium

Research focuses on:

• Bayesian models of pathogen exposure in climate change contexts
• Ecological drivers of species invasions (enemy release vs. novel weapons hypotheses)
• Gene duplication dynamics in adaptive evolution
• Concerted genomic convergence in metabolic pathways
• Development of computational tools for reproducibility in simulations

Her lab combines fieldwork, comparative genomics, and machine learning to analyze host-pathogen interactions and evolutionary responses. Recent studies examine bat immunity (Bat1K/GBatNet), cyanide adaptation in bamboo-specialized mammals, and high-altitude genomic convergence in bats.

• Conservation initiatives: Effective population size benchmarking, lemur malaria exposure, collaboration with Peruvian NGO Yunkawasi
• Outreach programs: Promoting diversity in science through student-led educational initiatives

The lab actively recruits researchers for integrative projects spanning evolutionary theory, genomics, and ecological systems.