Dr. Stephen Schaeffer

Professor

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Biography

Stephen W. Schaeffer is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Biology at Pennsylvania State University. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia (1985), an M.S. from West Virginia University (1980), and a B.S. from West Virginia Wesleyan College (1978). He also completed postdoctoral training at Harvard University from 1985 to 1988. His research interests encompass Bioinformatics, Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Marine Biology, Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences, Phylogenetics, Population Genetics, and Theoretical Computational Biology. His laboratory investigates how genomic processes alter gene frequencies in natural populations of plants and animals, with a particular focus on chromosomal inversions in Drosophila pseudoobscura. These inversions have implications for population dynamics, fertility, and genetic exchange. Schaeffer's studies employ next-generation technologies for genetic variation assessment and aim to elucidate the molecular genetic basis of inversion evolution. His work combines genetic and transcriptomic analyses to test various hypotheses regarding the maintenance and spread of inversions in populations.

Research Interests

Experience

Emeritus Professor

— Present

Pennsylvania State University • University Park, PA

Distinguished professor conducting research in molecular population genetics and genomics.

Requirements for Pennsylvania State University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:23
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7
GRE General
Prerequisites
Master's degree in related field for PhD Baccalaureate degree from accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Writing Sample
  • Official Transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE scores are highly recommended but not strictly required for Applied Linguistics.