Jay Taylor is an evolutionary biologist who uses a combination of stochastic modeling, statistical analysis and genetic sequence data to understand how populations and communities evolve in complex and changing environments. Although trained as a theoretical population geneticist, in recent years, Professor Taylor has increasingly focused on the natural history of soil mites in the Sonoran desert and Madrean sky islands. Whereas the plants, insects and vertebrates of this region have been intensively studied, relatively little is known about the acarofauna. Consequently, one of the major aims of work being carried out by Professor Taylor and his students is to characterize the biodiversity of soil mites found within the region and then use these systems to explore questions in population genetics and evolutionary ecology. In addition, the lab studies the diversity and epidemiology of myrmecophilous mites. This work includes both a broad survey of ant-mite interactions within the region, as well as a more focused study of mites associated with two species of seed harvester ants, Novomessor cockerelli and N. albisetosus.
Professor Taylor is also interested in the evolution of parasites that cause chronic infectious diseases such as malaria (Plasmodium spp.) and African sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma brucei). These organisms have evolved elaborate strategies such as antigenic variation which allow them to survive despite being targeted by their hosts' immune systems. In some parasites, such as T. brucei, antigenic variation is achieved with the help of large multigene families that include numerous pseudogenes. However, because these pseudogenes contribute to antigenic diversity through segmental gene conversion, they are likely subject to natural selection. Current work in the Taylor lab is concerned with understanding the dynamics of pseudogene formation in antigen repertoires using both multiscale mathematical models and analysis of parasite genomes.
Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona 2003
1. Natural history, population genetics and ecology of soil and myrmecophilous mites in the Sonoran desert and Madrean sky islands.
2. Theoretical population genetics, especially coalescent theory
3. Evolution of antigen gene repertoires
Spring 2022 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 423 | Population & Community Ecology |
MAT 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
MAT 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
ASB 590 | Reading and Conference |
APM 598 | Special Topics |
BIO 598 | Special Topics |
AML 792 | Research |
Fall 2021 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 471 | Ornithology |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
MAT 493 | Honors Thesis |
MAT 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
ASB 590 | Reading and Conference |
EVO 610 | Research Areas of Evolution |
AML 792 | Research |
Spring 2021 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
STP 421 | Probability |
MAT 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 494 | Special Topics |
MAT 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 598 | Special Topics |
AML 792 | Research |
Fall 2020 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
STP 421 | Probability |
BIO 471 | Ornithology |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
MAT 493 | Honors Thesis |
MAT 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
EVO 610 | Research Areas of Evolution |
AML 792 | Research |
Spring 2020 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
MAT 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 494 | Special Topics |
MAT 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 598 | Special Topics |
EVO 610 | Research Areas of Evolution |
AML 792 | Research |
Fall 2019 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 340 | General Genetics |
BIO 394 | Special Topics |
STP 421 | Probability |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
MAT 495 | Undergraduate Research |
AML 792 | Research |
Spring 2019 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
STP 421 | Probability |
BIO 471 | Ornithology |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
MAT 495 | Undergraduate Research |
AML 792 | Research |
Fall 2018 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 340 | General Genetics |
STP 421 | Probability |
MAT 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
AML 792 | Research |
Summer 2018 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Spring 2018 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 498 | Pro-Seminar |
BIO 545 | Populations Evolution Genetics |
AML 792 | Research |
Fall 2017 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
STP 425 | Stochastic Processes |
BIO 471 | Ornithology |
MAT 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
AML 792 | Research |