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John Taylor is a Professor at the University of Victoria, specializing in the areas of molecular evolution, opsin genes, phylogenetics, and comparative genomics. His research primarily focuses on how different life forms detect and respond to light, particularly through the study of vertebrate visual opsins, which are expressed in photoreceptor cells of the retina. His lab's research delves into the diversity of visual and non-visual opsins, characterizing opsin gene expression in fish using techniques such as quantitative PCR and immunostaining. Dr. Taylor has conducted extensive studies on the subterranean catfish of the Amazon and the sablefish and starry flounder found along the coast of British Columbia, exploring the species' features to better understand the roles that opsins play in their physiology. Furthermore, he is collaborating with industry partners to identify genetic signatures associated with various traits such as sex, growth rate, and pathogen resistance in sablefish.
Department: Department of Computer Science. GRE is highly recommended for international students.