Trisha Wittkopp

Trisha Wittkopp serves as the Associate Dean at the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science and the Arts, where she combines academic leadership with cutting-edge research in gene expression and evolutionary biology. Her work focuses on the molecular and evolutionary mechanisms underlying regulatory variation, particularly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Drosophila species. A leader in transcriptional regulation and chromatin dynamics, she has contributed to studies on pleiotropy, enhancer redundancy, and the impact of cis- and trans-regulatory mutations on phenotypic diversity.

Her research spans interdisciplinary approaches, integrating computational modeling and experimental genetics to unravel how mutations and selection shape regulatory networks. Collaborations with institutions like the Barkai Lab and involvement in journals such as Cell Systems and Science highlight her influence in the field. She has mentored students like Petra Vande Zande, whose work on trans-regulatory mutations and fitness impacts has gained recognition.

While no specific scientific awards are listed in the provided text, her lab's publications in high-impact journals like Nature Reviews Genetics and Molecular Biology and Evolution underscore her expertise. Her team explores topics ranging from transcription factor binding evolution to the genetic basis of pigmentation divergence, all while fostering a collaborative research environment focused on innovation and psychological safety.