Jeffrey Powell is a Research Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. His laboratory focuses on the genetic aspects of evolutionary processes, with the majority of his work based on the analysis of DNA. The results of his research are applied to issues in basic evolution, population biology, phylogeography, and phylogenies. Powell utilizes molecular data to comprehend higher-level phenomena pertaining to evolution. He leads three major research programs: the genetics of Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes, the evolution of codon usage bias in Drosophila, and conservation genetics of Galápagos tortoises. Although these areas may seem disparate, Powell's empirical data and analytical techniques address conceptual issues in modern evolutionary genetics across various contexts.