Welch Group

Molecular Evolution

Keywords

Adaptation, natural selection, population genetics

Research interests

My core research focuses on the causes of molecular evolution, i.e., the processes which shape DNA sequence variation within and between populations.

The research combines theoretical and empirical approaches, often using phylogenetic or comparative methods, and particularly the inference of past evolutionary events from genomic sequence data (which next-generation sequencing methods are generating at an ever-increasing rate).

A common research theme is the need to understand molecular evolution within the context of a species’ wider biology (e.g., combining sequence data with life history, ecological and functional information).

I also have a particular interest in adaptive evolution at the molecular level. Ongoing research projects involve quantifying the contribution of natural selection to genomic change, inferring specific selection pressures that were faced by natural populations, and identifying the general conditions that promote or hinder an adaptive response.

For more details of current research projects, and publications, please see the lab web pages.