Spencer Koury

Evolutionary cellular biology integrates evolutionary theory, comparative physiology, and modern molecular approaches to understand how cellular processes evolve and diversify. Genetic architecture is the central concept in this field, as it is the most important factor in predicting and understanding the evolution of any cellular process. Combining Drosophila melanogaster lab experiments and population genetics models, I study genetic architecture as a dynamic interface of functional and evolutionary biology.

My  research consists   of   choosing fundamental biological processes (chromosome segregation, chemiosmosis, meiotic crossover patterning,  etc.) and then quantifying both natural and engineered genetic variation in the model parameters describing these cellular functions.  Understanding if, and how, segregating variation affects these fundamental processes in biology is the necessary first step in understanding genetic architecture, and therefore, the evolution of these crucial phenotypes. This dual approach to research is made possible with wide array of genetic tools available in the Drosophila community and a long history studying these flies in natural populations.