Zachary Szpiech

Zachary Szpiech serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Pennsylvania State University, with external affiliations at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. His laboratory operates at the intersection of computational biology and evolutionary genomics, focusing on population-level genetic phenomena.

His educational background includes a BS in Mathematics, MS in Bioinformatics, and PhD in Bioinformatics from the University of Michigan, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco and Auburn University.

Research interests center on evolutionary biology and population genetics, specifically investigating how demographic history, inbreeding, and natural selection shape genetic variation within and between populations. His work leverages mathematical modeling, large-scale simulations, and genomic data analysis to address questions relevant to medical genetics, anthropological history, and conservation biology. Key methodologies include developing computational tools for selection scans and analyzing admixture patterns.

Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate consistent focus on genomic consequences of demographic events, with recurring themes including admixture history (São Tomé, Cabo Verde), inbreeding effects in endangered species, adaptation to environmental stressors, and software development for population genomic analysis. His work spans diverse taxa from humans and apes to birds and reptiles, reflecting interdisciplinary applications.

Lab operations are supported by external funding sources though specific grants aren't detailed in available materials. The Szpiech Lab maintains active external presences through dedicated lab website, Twitter, and Google Scholar profiles.