SDSU / UC Riverside Evolutionary Joint Doctoral Program

As the organizing principle of biology, the study of Evolutionary Biology remains on the cutting edge of current biological studies and research. Students will receive training under the guidance and supervision of SDSU faculty who specialize in Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Molecular and Cell Biology, as well as participation from UC Riverside Faculty who specialize in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology. Students also take an academic year of residence at the UC Riverside campus, providing them with hands-on experience and expertise from faculty in various topics, including molecular evolution, genomics, paleontology, population biology, and systematics, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of evolutionary biology.

Major Areas of Study

Paradise Jumping Spider.

Biodiversity Studies

Research biodiversity from genetic to ecological levels, focusing on California ecosystems.

closep of microscopic translucent simple organism.

Comparative & Integrative Biology

Study connecting various biological aspects within an evolutionary ecological framework.

Desert cactus.

Evolutionary Ecology

Examine the evolution of species interactions and their environmental relationships over time.

Bryum dichotomum sprouts on moss.

Molecular Evolutionary Biology

Study biological molecule evolution and its link to organismal development and diversity.

Calisoga phylogeographic structure.ASTRAL tree showing relationships of primary phylogenomic lineages. Node circles denote local posterior probability support, colored in grayscale with values.

Phylogenetics

Investigate evolutionary history for classification and study speciation and extinction processes.

Western Tanager. Bright yellow bird with red head on pirch in tree.

Population and Conservation Genetics

Study gene pool diversity and evolutionary forces driving genetic variation patterns.

Dissertation Defenses

Research Excellence

Our doctoral students regularly publish in prestigious journals. Here are some of their recent publications:

  • Tofflemire, M. A., Epperly, K. L., Burns, K. J., & Klicka, J. (2024). Integrative phylogeography and ecological niche analysis reveal insight into the evolutionary history and taxonomy of the Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens). The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 136(2), 143-165.

  • Heptinstall, T. C., R. A. Rosales-Garcia, R. M. Rautsaw, E. P. Hofmann, A. de Queiroz, L. Canseco- Márquez, and C. L. Parkinson. 2024. Size Doesn’t Matter: Body size is not linked to diet specialization in garter snakes (Squamata: Natricidae: Thamnophis). Journal of Herpetology. 58(2):1-11.

  • Heptinstall, T.C., J.L. Strickland, R.A. Rosales-Garcia, R.M. Rautsaw, C.L. Simpson, G.S. Nystrom, S.A. Ellsworth, M.P. Hogan, M. Borja, P.F. Campos, F. G. Grazziotin, D. R. Rokyta, I.L.M. Junqueira-de-Azevedo, and C.L. Parkinson. 2023. Venom phenotype conservation suggests integrated specialization in a lizard-eating snake. Toxicon, 229, 107135.

  • Essner, R.L., Jr., R.E. Pereira, D.C. Blackburn, A.L. Singh, E.L. Stanley, M.O. Moura, A.E. Confetti, and M.R. Pie. (2022). Semicircular canal size constrains vestibular function in miniaturized frogs. Science Advances 8: eabn1104.

  • Weinell, Jeffery, Daniel J. Paluh, Amber L. Singh, David C. Blackburn, Rafe M. Brown. (2019). Myersophis alpestris (Myers’ Mountain Snake) reproduction. Herpetological Review: 50(1):164-165.

Announcements

The Time Machine

SDSU biologists have collected specimens from every corner of the Earth for decades: It’s all in the Biodiversity Museum.