Lauren Hennelly, Ph.D

Genomics · Conservation · Evolutionary Biology  

Welcome to my website! My name is Lauren, and I'm an evolutionary and conservation biologist. I study how animals evolve, adapt, and are impacted by anthropogenic change using genomic and field-based tools.  I also have a keen interest in understanding the molecular basis of adaptive and complex traits. 

I'm currently a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Researcher at the Globe Institute of University of Copenhagen with Dr. Shyam Gopalakrishnan and Dr. Mikkel Sinding. I'm also a Research Associate at the Center for Conservation Genomics at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. 

I mostly use wild and domestic canids as a study system. I lead and collaborate on a wide variety of projects on gray wolves (Canis lupus), red wolves (Canis rufus), African wolves (Canis lupaster), golden jackals (Canis auerus), black-backed jackals (Lupulella mesomelas), and domestic dogs.

A primary goal of my work is to inform conservation. I'm a core member for the IUCN Canid Taxonomy Task Force and a team member on multiple Red List Assessments. I am passionate about translating scientific research into conservation action, and training the next generation of scientists.