Yaniv Brandvain

Yaniv Brandvain is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Biology within the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. He leads the "higgledy piggledy lab" which focuses on plant evolutionary genomics, with research spanning speciation, hybridization, adaptation, mating system evolution, and genomic conflict.

His research interests include:

• Plant speciation mechanisms and the role of hybridization
• Mating system evolution in plants
• Genomic approaches to understanding evolutionary processes
• Plant domestication and de novo domestication efforts
• Reproductive isolation and genomic conflict
• Evolutionary consequences of selfing versus outcrossing

Dr. Brandvain's research integrates population and quantitative genomic theory with empirical data analysis to address fundamental evolutionary questions. His work combines molecular genetics, comparative analyses, and theoretical modeling to understand the origin and maintenance of species diversity. A key aspect of his research program involves studying plant speciation using diverse model systems including Mimulus, Capsella, Helianthus, and Silphium.

Scientific recognition:

• McKnight Land Grant Professor

Dr. Brandvain actively mentors postdoctoral researchers and has collaborated extensively with colleagues across the University of Minnesota including Suzanne McGaugh, David Moeller, Emma Goldberg, James Pease, Kevin Smith, Candice Hirsch, and Peter Tiffin. He co-founded evolTWIN, a cross-departmental evolutionary biology group that facilitates collaboration among evolutionary biologists in the Twin Cities area. His lab has been instrumental in advancing the domestication of Silphium as a potential new perennial crop.

The Brandvain lab maintains a strong presence in the evolutionary biology community, regularly presenting at major conferences and advocating for open science practices including the use of preprint servers for rapid dissemination of research findings.