Rachel Schwartz Lab

Dr. Rachel Schwartz

Dr. Schwartz is an Assistant Professor at the University of Rhode Island. Her lab primarily studies how to use genomic data to understand evolutionary history. The relationships among many species remains a surprising issue, with different research using different datasets finding different relationships. For example, there are still competing hypotheses about which group of mammals is most distantly related to the others: primates and their relatives, sloths and their relatives, or elephants and their relatives. How species are related forms the foundation for understanding how traits and other characteristics of species evolve. For example, because we know that birds, bats, and butterflies are quite distantly related, we know that wings evolved more than once. The lab also develops methods and software to make it easier for other researchers to study these evolutionary questions using genomic data.

Additionally, the lab works on how genomes evolve, particularly how gene families arrive through accidental copying of single genes in genomes.

Students in the lab have come from the fields of computer science, math, and biology. Dr. Schwartz's lab typically hosts 3-4 undergraduates at a time. Students should have an interest in evolutionary biology and a willingness to learn basic computer programming skills. If you liked using R in Intro Bio labs that's a good sign. Most students work on their own independent research projects. Starting in the lab as a sophomore or junior is highly recommended so students have enough time to develop a project.