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Michael Whitlock is a Professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of British Columbia. His research focuses on the evolution of structured populations, exploring how various forces control the distribution of genotypes in subdivided populations and affect the outcomes of evolutionary processes. He employs both theoretical analyses and experimental laboratory models to address these questions. Whitlock's work challenges conventional population structure models, which often assume uniform populations at equilibrium, by incorporating the effects of extinctions, colonizations, population fissions, and other real-world variables. His current projects include developing techniques to identify genes responsible for local adaptation using genomic data, investigating genetic differentiation impacted by background selection, and studying phenotypic plasticity and genetic robustness. Whitlock's work includes empirical studies on urban rats, rainbow trout, and British Columbia conifers. He has held numerous prestigious positions and received several awards, including the Molecular Ecology Prize in 2024.
University of British Columbia • Vancouver, BC
Leads research and teaches courses in the field of zoology.
Offers course-only and thesis routes. Focus areas include philosophy of science, mind, ethics, and Asian philosophy.