We study the process of Adaptive Evolution, during which species adopt novel traits to overcome challenges. We retrace the evolutionary histories of genomic elements to determine the changes underlying adaptation and to discover previously unknown genetic networks. These discoveries have already led to advances in human health, species conservation, and molecular biology. To meet these goals we have developed a suite of computational and experimental approaches employing comparative genomics and proteomics. Ultimately, our research program develops an evolutionary model in which genomic elements are shaped by their co-evolution with other elements and their environment.
We are a combined computational and experimental lab in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Utah. We are a member of the Cluster in Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics (CEGG), whose member labs span Human Genetics and Biology.