Tracy A Heath

Dr. Tracy A. Heath is an Associate Professor at Iowa State University, specializing in evolutionary biology and computational phylogenetics. Her research focuses on developing Bayesian statistical methods and software tools like RevBayes to analyze molecular, morphological, and fossil data. She leads the Heath Lab, advancing phylogenetic inference and integrating paleontological evidence into evolutionary studies. Tracy holds a B.A. in Biology from Boston University (2000) and a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Texas at Austin (2008). She actively contributes to open-source initiatives such as the Taming the BEAST educational platform and GitHub repositories for phylogenetic software development. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with applied computational methods, emphasizing the importance of fossil data and model-based approaches in understanding biodiversity patterns and evolutionary processes.

• Key Contributions:
• RevBayes: Bayesian phylogenetic inference software
• Taming the BEAST: Community-driven BEAST 2 tutorial resource
• Fossil integration methodologies
• Phylogenetic network simulation (SiPhyNetwork)

Her research spans topics including adaptive evolution in waterfowl, genomic studies of penguin adaptation, and resolving phylogenetic relationships in diverse taxonomic groups. Tracy advocates for inclusive educational practices, integrating museum collections and computational training to enhance biodiversity science accessibility.