Dr. Mahul Chakraborty

Biography

Mahul Chakraborty is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Texas A&M University. His research focuses on the molecular basis of phenotypic variation and adaptation, with the central goal of understanding the genomic and molecular mechanisms that drive these processes. His lab investigates the functional effects and evolutionary dynamics of mutations that lead to variation in complex traits, particularly those caused by large structural variants (SVs) in the genome. These SVs can cause human diseases and drive adaptive changes, yet their discovery has been limited by technical challenges. He utilizes cutting-edge methods in quantitative population genetics, genomics, and genome editing to analyze these complex traits using both model organisms like Drosophila melanogaster and non-model organisms such as the invasive malaria vector Anopheles stephensi. His lab also explores the evolutionary implications of repetitive genomic sequences in relation to sexual dimorphism and sexual conflict in various species. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Calcutta in 2005, an M.Sc. in Biotechnology from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee in 2007, and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Rochester in 2014, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of California from 2014 to 2019.

Research Interests