My major research project at the moment concerns the genetic architecture of the extreme host plant specialization that we observe among populations of this species on the two hosts. Other research interests include a phylogeographical analysis of locally adapted pea aphid populations on alfalfa and clover. My lab is also very interested in genetic mechanisms of interactions between insects and their parasitoids and disease. More information on all of these projects may be found on the Via Lab page. This is a graduate course on how to study evolution in contemporary populations using experimental techniques for estimating natural selection and genetic variation.
Syllabus is available by request.