Sarah D. Kocher

Position
Assistant Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics
Title
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics
Office Phone
Office
327 Moffett Laboratory
Bio/Description

Research Focus

It has long been accepted that both genetic and environmental factors influence behavior, but a clear understanding of how these factors interact to produce the vast array of complex behaviors we observe continues to elude us.  In my lab, we study groups of closely-related species with extensive natural variation in social behavior.  We combine genetic studies with field and laboratory observations to dissect the molecular and physiological mechanisms that underlie this variation as well as to uncover the ecological and evolutionary forces that shape the evolution of this trait.  This integrative approach is a powerful one: genetic and genomic studies within and across species can help to elucidate some of the underlying molecular mechanisms, while controlled environmental manipulations and behavioral studies can help identify key environmental factors that influence this variation.

One major area of research in my group is characterizing the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary processes that link genetic variation to variation in social behavior in halictid bees. Unlike honey bees and ants where all species are obligately eusocial, there have been multiple, independent gains and losses of social behavior within halictid bees, providing unprecedented comparative power to study the mechanisms and processes shaping social evolution.

Google Scholar

Selected Publications

Program(s)
NIH NHGRI Training Program
QCB Graduate Program
LSI Research Lab