We study selection arising from social and ecological interactions to understand adaptive processes that shape biological diversity. Our research investigates how sexual selection and parasitism drive evolution in nature.
Adopting an integrative approach, we focus on adaptations of insects (mainly Drosophila) that mediate reproductive competition and resistance to parasites, particularly macro-parasites—ectoparasitic mites and parasitoids. We also focus on unraveling the constraints on evolution imposed by fitness trade-offs across environmental conditions relevant to the species' ecological niche. By examining how opposing forces of selection interact, we can reveal their combined role in sustaining biological diversity.
The lab employs an array of approaches, from behavioral and physiological studies to functional genomic and laser phenotypic engineering. We integrate these approaches with direct measurements of fitness outcomes of trait variation and of selection in wild populations. Students are encouraged to undertake cross-disciplinary projects, publish in leading journals, and present their work at professional conferences, thus fostering essential skills and building professional networks.
Polak lab alumni have pursued rewarding careers across a wide spectrum of fields, including academia, agricultural science, zoological management, education, biomedical research, clinical practice, and veterinary science. This broad-based training equips students and postdocs with the expertise, critical thinking skills, and adaptability useful to excel in a variety of professional settings.
Graduate students are welcome to join an existing project or to establish their own. Either way students train in a supportive environment to develop their creativity and science competency.
I invite interested individuals to send me an email through our contact page.
