I am a research scientist and educator. I view these responsibilities part of a continuum that runs from current students to alumni to the general public. My research is focused on discovering basic principles that determine the amount of diversity that exists within and between the genomes of organisms, and how we can use that diversity to understand organismal diversity, to discover novel genes, to maximize human health, and to advance agriculture. Our research is carried out primarily with Drosophila, though past work has included mammals and plants. My teaching covers the concepts and methodologies of population genetics and comparative genomics, and personal genomics and medicine.
Awards & Honors
- Honarary Doctor of Science 2016 St. Lawrence University
- Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow 2016 Cornell University
- Charles A. Alexander Professor of Biological Sciences 2007 Cornell University