Understanding the past to prepare for the future





Crop species originate from wild plants in specific locations, but they are now able to survive in a vast diversity of environments. For example, wheat and barley were domesticated in central Asia, but they were brought to places as different as Egypt and Sweden to become staple crops for human and livestock consumption.  

We study the molecular basis of adaptation in a number of species to understand how crops can survive in diverse environments. We aim to use this information to help develop the climate resilient food system of the future.




















Lab Theme

Observing evolution in real time

We aim to gain a mechanistic understanding of the molecular underpinnings of the adaptive process through direct observation of evolution. To accomplish this goal, we study a one of a kind series of long-term agricultural experiments, the barley composite crosses. In these experiments thousands of barley genotypes were competed against one another for decades in several environments.  By directly observing evolution in the composite crosses we can link individual genetic changes to fitness across time and observe how they are combined into a single genome to facilitate adaptation.

Lab Members

Oluwafemi Alaba

Postdoctoral Researcher

Ruth Sarahi Perez Alfaro

Assistant Specialist

Jill Marzolino

Graduate Student

Aimee Uyehara

Co-advised Graduate Student

Dr Dan Koenig

PI

Joining the lab

Thank you for your interest in working with us!

Graduate Students: The lab accepts students from the Plant Biology; Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics; and Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology graduate programs. Please click the links to one of the programs to learn more. All three programs accept applications in the Fall of every year.

Postdoctoral Researchers: Please contact the lab PI to discuss the possibility of joining the lab. Please be specific in describing your research interests and how they may align with the lab's research. Postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to apply for fellowships, and the PI will be happy to assist in this process.

Undergraduate Researchers: We are always excited to host undergraduate researchers in the lab. Please contact the PI to discuss possible opennings.

Where to find us

University of California

Department of Botany and Plant Sciences

4412 Boyce Hall

3401 Watkins Dr.

Riverside, CA 92507


Lab Phone: (951) 827-4679

Office Phone: (951) 827-3212


email: dkoenig at ucr dot edu