Melissa Pespeni

Educational Background
B.S. and B.A., University of California, San Diego (2002)

Research Goals and Interests
I am interested in understanding how a species adapts along an ecological cline despite the homogenizing effects of gene flow. Using the recently sequenced purple sea urchin genome and new array technology, we are currently developing a method to detect the genome-wide pattern of genetic diversity. These data will enable us to separate selective from demographic effects. Identified adaptive loci can then be correlated to functional changes and the environmental factors that drive natural selection. These studies will lead to a better understanding of how species with large ecological ranges and the potential for high gene flow can adapt to local environmental conditions.

Article at Stanford School of Medicine      CV [pdf]

Back to People     Back to Main Page