Overview
The faculty in this area develop rigorous mathematical and computational approaches to understand the fundamental processes that shape life on Earth—from the origins of genetic variation to the dynamics of populations and ecosystems. This group combines theoretical innovation with large-scale genomic data analysis to address questions spanning deep evolutionary time to contemporary ecological challenges. Research encompasses developing statistical methods for detecting natural selection and inferring evolutionary history from genomic sequences, understanding the genetic basis of adaptation and speciation through population genomics and experimental evolution, modeling the biophysical basis of evolutionary dynamics in microbial colonies and range expansions, predicting species responses to climate change through field experiments integrated with genomic analysis, and using CRISPR-informed approaches to accelerate adaptation in threatened plant populations.
The impact of our research includes revealing the molecular mechanisms of human evolutionary adaptations (such as Tibetan high-altitude tolerance and Inuit fatty acid metabolism), developing predictive models of genetic diversity loss under climate and habitat change, informing conservation strategies for endangered species, and pioneering methods that transform evolutionary biology from a historical to a predictive science. By integrating mathematical theory, statistical inference, phylogenetics, and experimental evolution with high-throughput sequencing technologies and global field experiments, our researchers create frameworks that transform vast amounts of biological data into fundamental insights about evolution, ecology, and biodiversity. With access to diverse biological systems—from microbes to mammals, ancient DNA to contemporary populations, and field sites spanning the globe—and Berkeley's rich collaborative environment including the Center for Theoretical Evolutionary Genetics and Innovative Genomics Institute, this work bridges theoretical evolutionary biology with pressing real-world challenges in conservation, agriculture, and understanding humanity's genetic past and future.
Primary Faculty
- Adam Arkin, Professor, Department of Bioengineering
- Doris Bachtrog, Professor, Department of Integrative Biology
- Michael Boots, Professor, Department of Integrative Biology
- Rachel Brem, Professor, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology
- Perry de Valpine, Professor, Department of ESPM
- Steven Evans, Professor, Departments of Statistics and Mathematics
- Moisés Expósito-Alonso, Assistant Professor, Department of Integrative Biology
- Ian Holmes, Professor, Department of Bioengineering
- John Huelsenbeck, Professor, Department of Integrative Biology
- Ksenia Krasileva, Associate Professor, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology
- Priya Moorjani, Associate Professor, CCB and Department of MCB
- Michael Nachman, Professor, Department of Integrative Biology
- Rasmus Nielsen, Professor, Departments of Integrative Biology and Statistics
- Daniel Rokhsar, Professor, Departments of MCB and Physics
- Yun S. Song, Professor, Departments of EECS and Statistics
- Peter Sudmant, Associate Professor, Department of Integrative Biology
Secondary Faculty
- Steven Brenner, Professor, Departments of PMB, MCB, and Bioengineering
- Max Staller, Assistant Professor in Residence, Department of MCB
Professor of the Graduate School
- Sung-Hou Kim, Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemistry