SKLab @ UCSD

Evolution by natural selection is a fundamental property of life. I want to understand, predict and control how microbes evolve and adapt to their environment.

I am passionate about molecular biology research. I love using the latest technology to learn more about the genomes and genetic engineering.

I am interested in how biotic interactions in microbial communities affect adaption. I currently study a simple community that consists of yeast S.cerevisiae and alga C.reinhardtii. I observe how these two species are adapting to living with each other.

I measure how the effects of mutations on fitness depend on the genetic background and on the environment in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

I am interested in population genetics and quantitative biology. My research question is: How does the proteome allocation changes in bacterium E.coli as it adapts?

I study the variation in mutation rates across the yeast S. cerevisiae genome. I hope to understand the origins and consequences of this variation.

I am interested in designing “gene drives”, which are self-propagating, CRISPR-based genetic systems that lead to biased inheritance of desired phenotypes. I am currently investigating the evolutionary consequences of these gene drives.