Overview
We investigate the evolutionary processes that cause change at both the phenotypic and genetic levels. We have particular interests in the genetic basis of adaptation and in the evolution of metabolic pathways. Our approaches include molecular dissection of ecologically important phenotypes and characterizing patterns of selection acting on those phenotypes under natural conditions. For more information, please visit the Rausher lab web site.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
John Carlisle Kilgo Distinguished Professor of Biology
·
2013 - Present
Biology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Biology
·
2000 - Present
Biology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Recent Publications
A Strategy of Assessing Gene Copy Number Differentiation Between Populations Using Ultra-Fast De Novo Assembly of Next-Generation Sequencing Data.
Journal Article Molecular ecology resources · February 2025 Gene duplication and loss play pivotal roles in the evolutionary dynamics of genomes, contributing to species phenotypic diversity and adaptation. However, detecting copy number variations (CNVs) in homoploid populations and newly-diverged species using sh ... Full text CiteWhole-genome sequence and annotation of Penstemon davidsonii.
Journal Article G3 (Bethesda, Md.) · March 2024 Penstemon is the most speciose flowering plant genus endemic to North America. Penstemon species' diverse morphology and adaptation to various environments have made them a valuable model system for studying evolution. Here, we report the first full refere ... Full text CiteAbsence of long-term balancing selection on variation in EuMYB3, an R2R3-MYB gene responsible for the anther-color polymorphism in Erythronium umbilicatum.
Journal Article Scientific reports · March 2024 Balancing selection has been shown to be common in plants for several different types of traits, such as self-incompatibility and heterostyly. Generally, for these traits balancing selection is generated by interactions among individuals or between individ ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Genetic and Genomics Training Grant
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2025Collaborative Proposal:Dimensions: The Evolution of Pollination Syndrome Diversity in Penstemon
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2015 - 2021COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Genetics and Development of Parallel Pollination System Evolution in Penstemon
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2016 - 2021View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Cornell University ·
1978
Ph.D.
The University of Chicago ·
1973
B.A.