The Meyer lab uses variation in genomes to learn about the evolutionary history of humans and other living things, as well as how they adapt to their environments. In particular, we look at how similar patterns of genetic variation in different lineages that have evolved the same traits can provide clues as to which genes are important for these traits. We use methods from both population genetics, which focuses on evolution within species (e.g., within humans), and phylogenetics and comparative genomics, which look at evolution across broader evolutionary timescales (e.g., throughout mammals). In this work, we apply and adapt a range of bioinformatics tools to analyze data from many genomes.
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| Diet varies widely throughout the mammalian family tree, providing contrasts to study the genetic basis of dietary adaptation. |
Meyer WK*, Venkat A*, Kermany A, van de Geijn B, Zhang S, and Przeworski M. Evolutionary history inferred from the de novo assembly of a non-model organism, the blue-eyed black lemur. Molecular Ecology. 2015 Aug;24(17):4392-4405. *contributed equally
Meyer WK*, Zhang S*, Hayakawa S, Imai H, and Przeworski M. The convergent evolution of blue iris pigmentation in primates took distinct molecular paths. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2013 Jul;151(3):398-407. *contributed equally
Leffler, EM, Bullaughey K*, Matute DR*, Meyer WK*, Segurel L*, Venkat A*, Andolfatto P, and Przeworski M. Revisiting an Old Riddle: What Determines Genetic Diversity Levels within Species? PLoS Biol. 2012 Sep;10(9):e1001388. *contributed equally
Perry GH, Xue Y, Smith RS, Meyer WK, Caliskan M, Yanez-Cuna O, Lee AS, Gutierrez-Arcelus M, Ober C, Hollox EJ, Tyler-Smith C, and Lee C. Evolutionary genetics of the human Rh blood group system. Hum Genet. 2012 Jul;131(7):1205-16.
Meyer WK, Arbeithuber B, Ober C, Ebner T, Tiemann-Boege I, Hudson RR, and Przeworski M. Evaluating the evidence for transmission distortion in human pedigrees. Genetics. 2012 May;191(1):215-32.
During the 2019-20 academic year, Dr. Meyer served as a AAAS Executive Branch Science & Technology Policy Fellow, leading workforce development initiatives at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Data Science Strategy. In this role she developed the NIH DATA Scholars Program, co-chaired a panel on artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare for the AAAS Human Impacts of AI symposium, and facilitated connections between NIH and the National Science Foundation (NSF) in data science. She also learned more broadly about the many ways in which scientists can contribute to government and policy through the community of Fellows placed throughout the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the US government.
Click here to watch a video presentation Dr. Meyer made with NSF collaborator Dr. Goli Yamini at a recent AAAS meeting (February 14, 2020).
If you are interested in discussing fellowship or career opportunities in science policy or related fields, please feel free to email Dr. Meyer.
