Biology Dept. Seminar - Dr. Joseph Heras

Fishing for genes to better understand evolutionary adaptations.

Dr. Joseph Heras is an evolutionary geneticist, interested in identifying complex patterns of evolutionary adaptations within fishes. Dr. Heras genomes and transcriptomes (genes expressed within a given set of cells or tissue type) to better understand adaptations related to diet, metabolism, and depth.

He is also interested in looking at the genetic variation of hemoglobin genes within marine fishes and how this is related to adaptations occupying different oceanic depths. His research program also includes understanding how gene copy numbers, patterns of gene expression, and gut microbiomes contribute to dietary specializations.

Dr. Hera's overall investigations provide insight into the molecular evolutionary processes within fishes to better understand physiological adaptations to their respective habitats. Throughout his presentation, he will discuss some of my past and present research projects, and his academic journey which brought him to CSUSB.