Our research helps us to understand how species survive when their environment changes
We’re especially interested in how evolution shapes changes in DNA, how populations rapidly evolve novel genetic solutions to stress, how they become different from each other when isolated in different habitats (i.e., how biodiversity is distributed), and how we can make functional inferences from genomics/genetics research that can inform species management plans.
Why should we care about this? Because understanding species diversity and resilience when their environment changes is crucial as we try to conserve Earth's diversity, manage crops, and control biological invasions, in an ever-changing world. Our research speaks directly to these issues by allowing us to predict how species might respond (e.g., adapt, move, go extinct) when faced with extreme pressures.