Evolutionary biology
How species originate and what has driven the evolution of millions of organisms on our planet remain some of the hotly debated questions in science. With recent technological developments in genomics, it is now possible to disentangle the genetic architecture of speciation, the evolution of adaptive traits , and how different organisms are related. The Evolutionary Biology Research Theme combines these genomic approaches with cutting- edge ecology, environmental science and paleobiology to address the following challenges: (a) how organisms have evolved to become adapted to their biotic and physical environments, including reconstructing and visualising the tree of life; (b) global patterns of biodiversity, including modelling and predictions under global change scenarios; (c) microbial evolution , including pathogen resistance, fungal diversity , viral evolution and bacterial communities.
Research groups
Dr Arkhat Abzhanov
Dr Arkhat Abzhanov
Reader in Evolution and Developmental Genetics
Dr Michalis Barkoulas
Dr Michalis Barkoulas
Senior Lecturer
Professor Tim Barraclough
Professor Tim Barraclough
Professor of Evolutionary Biology
Professor Miguel Bastos Araujo
Professor Miguel Bastos Araujo
Visiting Professor
Dr Thomas D C Bell
Dr Thomas D C Bell
Reader in Microbial Ecology
Dr Martin I Bidartondo
Dr Martin I Bidartondo
Reader in Molecular Ecology
Dr Martin D Brazeau
Dr Martin D Brazeau
Senior Lecturer
Professor Austin Burt
Professor Austin Burt
Professor of Evolutionary Genetics
Dr Lauren J Cator
Dr Lauren J Cator
Senior Lecturer
Dr Richard J Gill
Dr Richard J Gill
Senior Lecturer
Professor Benjamin S Halpern
Professor Benjamin S Halpern
Chair in Marine Conservation
Emeritus Professor Russell Lande FRS
Emeritus Professor Russell Lande FRS
Emeritus Professor of Population Biology
Dr Mara K N Lawniczak
Dr Mara K N Lawniczak
Honorary Lecturer
Professor Armand M Leroi
Professor Armand M Leroi
Professor of Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Dr David Orme
Dr David Orme
Research Fellow
Professor Ian Owens
Professor Ian Owens
Research Investigator
Dr Samraat Pawar
Dr Samraat Pawar
Senior Lecturer
Professor Andy Purvis
Professor Andy Purvis
Research Investigator
Dr James L Rosindell
Dr James L Rosindell
Research Fellow/Lecturer in Biodiversity Theory and Science
Professor Vincent Savolainen
Professor Vincent Savolainen
Professor of Organismic Biology
Professor Michael P H Stumpf
Professor Michael P H Stumpf
Visiting Professor
Dr Michael Tristem
Dr Michael Tristem
Reader in Evolutionary Virology
Professor Jason M Tylianakis
Professor Jason M Tylianakis
Chair in Ecology and Biodiversity
Professor Alfried P Vogler
Professor Alfried P Vogler
Professor of Molecular Systematics