Evolutionary Studies Initiative
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Rediscovering the Lost Plesiosaur (Cast): Restoring Vanderbilt’s Natural History Museum
Research projects investigating the history of evolution at Vanderbilt University led to the rediscovery of a long-lost Crampton’s Plesiosaur Cast from the 1870s. Read MoreAug 29, 2024
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Beckman Scholar Charu Balamurugan unveils evolutionary insights into Penicillium secondary metabolites
Beckman Scholar Charu Balamurugan, an undergraduate researcher in the Rokas lab at Vanderbilt University, has shed light on the intricate evolutionary patterns governing secondary metabolite biosynthesis in fungi. Balamurugan delved deep into the genomes of Penicillium species, uncovering fascinating insights into the conservation and evolution of biosynthetic gene clusters and associated resistance genes. Read MoreApr 4, 2024
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Insect immune insights: Researchers unveil immune system dynamics
Justin Critchlow, a recent Ph.D. student in Ann Tate’s lab, just published a paper with the labmates Arun Prakash, Katherine Zhong, and Tate, uncovering the intricacies of beetle immune dynamics. This paper sheds light on the dynamics of survival, resilience, and the profound complexities inherent in evolutionary adaptations. Read MoreApr 4, 2024
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Researchers root US maternal health disparities in the social environment
Monica Keith, assistant professor of anthropology, recently published insights into the complex factors contributing to maternal hypertension and health disparities. This research sheds light on the alarming rates of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the United States, particularly among Black mothers. Read MoreOct 17, 2023
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Evolutionary biologists determine that culture shapes genetics within, not just between, populations
Nicole Creanza and Yakov Pichkar explore whether subtle cultural differences within a language mirror genetic structure within a population. The answer: Even small cultural differences like dialect can influence the spread of people and genes. Read MoreJun 29, 2023
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Vanderbilt Biologist investigates specialization and its impact on cultural evolution
The cultural evolution of a population depends not only on size but also on the degree of specialization within a population, according to a new study published last month by a team of scientists including Nicole Creanza. The study found that populations can increase their cultural repertoire by subdividing knowledge into smaller groups, but the total group must be sufficiently large for specialization to be advantageous. Read MoreApr 20, 2023
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Vanderbilt Researchers find Evidence for Evolutionary Constraints on Immunity
A new study led by members of Ann Tate’s lab found evidence that pleiotropy may slow down evolution of genes involved in immunity. Read MoreApr 20, 2023
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Vanderbilt Team finds Evolutionary Support for Induced Defenses
Graduate student Reese Martin and his doctoral advisor, Ann Tate, assistant professor of biological sciences, used theoretical modeling to identify a potential relationship between genetic pleiotropy and the evolution of immune responses. Read MoreApr 13, 2023
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Trio of Vanderbilt Researchers Identify Variable Outcomes in Experimental Evolution
Sarah Worthan, along with Robert McCarthy and Megan Behringer, led a new effort to understand the effects of the environment on the outcome of experimental evolution studies. Read MoreApr 11, 2023
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Vanderbilt researcher finds evidence for ant caste systems driven by chemo-sensing responses
Stephen Ferguson, first-author of a new paper with his postdoctoral advisor, Laurence Zwiebel, along with two undergraduates associated with the lab, Isaac Bakis and Nicholas Edwards, confirmed the existence of a specialized soldier caste within an ant species. Read MoreApr 3, 2023
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Vanderbilt Researcher Identifies Modes of Natural Selection in Understudied Human Populations
Vanderbilt researcher Amanda Lea, along with a global team of experts, has discovered new pathways of natural selection in humans. Read MoreFeb 16, 2023
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Joan Strassmann, expert on the evolution of cooperation, to deliver Evolutionary Studies seminar Feb. 24
Joan Strassmann, a world leading expert on the evolution of cooperation and fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, will be giving a talk on experimental evolution of microbes on Friday Feb. 24th. Read MoreFeb 14, 2023
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Local high schoolers find fossils on ESI-sponsored field trip
Local students from Stratford and Overton high schools got to excavate 70 million-year-old oysters, clams and shrimp at the Evolutionary Studies Initiative fossil search. The event aimed to teach students about food webs and to connect students with ESI grad students, postdocs and faculty to talk about college, science and evolution. Read MoreDec 13, 2022
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Fighting misconceptions through intentionally designed figures
By Andy Flick Associate Professor of Psychology and Human Development Laura Novick, and graduate student Joanna (Jingyi) Liu, published a paper highlighting the importance of intentionally and thoughtfully designed figures to explain evolutionary relationships and overcome preconceived misconceptions. The work was inspired, in part, by a common misconception… Read MoreNov 4, 2022
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Fighting Misconceptions through Intentionally Designed Figures
Laura Novick and Jingyi Liu published a paper highlighting the importance of intentionally and thoughtfully designed figures to explain evolutionary relationships and overcome preconceived misconceptions. Read MoreNov 1, 2022
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Vanderbilt biologists discover genetic pathways linking the immune and circulatory systems of mosquitoes during infection
Julián F. Hillyer, professor of biological sciences, and his research team discovered how mosquito immune and circulatory systems are related. This work may lead to the development of novel strategies that protect beneficial insects or harm detrimental ones. Read MoreSep 7, 2022
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Lea named CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar for outstanding early-career research and pursuit of interdisciplinary science
Amanda Lea, assistant professor of biological sciences, has been named to the 2022–24 cohort of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Azrieli Global Scholars in recognition of her outstanding early-career research and interdisciplinary work. Lea’s research interests span evolutionary biology, genomics and human health. Read MoreJun 17, 2022
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The Hunger Games: E.coli Edition demonstrates how mutualism and cooperative behavior shape species
Vanderbilt and Arizona State University microbiologists explore the effects of feast and famine cycles on E. coli, providing insight into how the bacterial communities that reside in our guts, with our crops, in lakes and streams, and beyond become so complex. Read MoreJun 9, 2022
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Amanda Lea named 2022 Searle Scholar, wins $300K to pursue research on effect of early-life environments on human health
Amanda Lea, assistant professor of biological sciences, has been named a 2022 Searle Scholar, an honor bestowed on 15 exceptional young faculty in the biomedical sciences and chemistry. Lea will receive $300,000 in flexible funding to support her work over the next three years. Read MoreMay 20, 2022
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Vanderbilt researchers use new method to target potentially undiscovered beneficial therapeutic chemicals
A team of Vanderbilt researchers led a project that studies chemical compounds produced by bacteria. Specifically, the group was interested in a suite of chemicals known as natural products. These chemicals are produced by the organism for a specific purpose, but are often valuable because they may be used as antibiotics, anticancer agents, or other therapeutics. Read MoreApr 5, 2022