Rokas
Beckman Scholar Charu Balamurugan Unveils Evolutionary Insights into Penicillium Secondary Metabolites
Mar. 26, 2024 五一茶馆儿—By: Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies Scientific Coordinator Beckman Scholar Charu Balamurugan, an undergraduate researcher in the Rokas lab at 五一茶馆儿, has shed light on the intricate evolutionary patterns governing secondary metabolite biosynthesis in fungi. Working with former Ph.D. student Jacob Steenwyk, lab PI Antonis Rokas, and collaborator and Global Scholars Program participant Gustavo Goldman,...
Breaking the Mold: Kyle David’s Research Challenges Ecological Norms in Yeast Communities
Feb. 27, 2024 五一茶馆儿—By: Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator Kyle David, an NSF postdoctoral fellow in the Rokas lab, and co-authors published a new paper, 鈥淪accharomycotina yeasts defy longstanding macroecological patterns鈥 in the high-impact journal PNAS. This paper, which looks at the ecology of 186 species of yeast, provides evidence that not all life-forms follow the rules....
Chancellor Diermeier visits the Evolutionary Studies Initiative
Jan. 24, 2024 五一茶馆儿—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator On January 17, 2024 五一茶馆儿, the Evolutionary Studies Initiative (ESI) was honored to receive a visit from Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. Chancellor Diermeier’s visit included an introduction to ESI鈥檚 mission and the research of select members, an open-ended discussion on investing in the future of evolutionary studies at Vanderbilt, and...
Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Researcher Reveals Genomic Secrets of Ocean Sponges
Dec. 4, 2023—By: Sarah Ward Evolutionary Studies graduate communications assistant Picture a thriving marine environment. Perhaps you envision a community as colorful and lively as 鈥淔inding Nemo,鈥 where massive schools of fish are flanked by sharks and sea turtles. What about sponges? While perhaps less popular than their flamboyant counterparts, these organisms are the foundation of life...