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Gregory Allan Wray

Professor of Biology
Biology
Duke Box 90325, Durham, NC 27708-0325
125 Science Drive, 4104 French Family Science Center, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


I study the evolution of genes and genomes with the broad aim of understanding the origins of biological diversity. My approach focuses on changes in the expression of genes using both empirical and computational approaches and spans scales of biological organization from single nucleotides through gene networks to entire genomes. At the finer end of this spectrum of scale, I am focusing on understanding the functional consequences and fitness components of specific genetic variants within regulatory sequences of several genes associated with ecologically relevant traits. At the other end of the scale, I am developing molecular and analytical methods to detect changes in gene function throughout entire genomes, including statistical frameworks for detecting natural selection on regulatory elements and empirical approaches to identify functional variation in transcriptional regulation. At intermediate scales, I am investigating functional variation within a dense gene network in the context of wild populations and natural perturbations. My research leverages the advantages of several different model systems, but primarily focuses on sea urchins and primates (including humans).

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Biology · 2005 - Present Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology · 2008 - Present Evolutionary Anthropology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics · 2020 - Present Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Basic Science Departments
Professor of Cell Biology · 2022 - Present Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments

Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University · 1987 Ph.D.
College of William and Mary · 1981 B.S.