Researcher

Hopi Hoekstra

Profile

Hopi Hoekstra is Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology and Curator of Mammals at Harvard University, and an HHMI Investigator. She is one of the leading figures in the field of evolutionary genetics, known for her work deciphering the genetic and developmental basis of adaptive traits in natural populations. Hoekstra's landmark studies on deer mice (Peromyscus) identified specific mutations in the pigmentation gene Mc1r and the Agouti signaling pathway that explain cryptic coloration — camouflage — adapted to different soil colors. This work provided one of the clearest molecular evolutionary narratives linking single nucleotide polymorphisms to fitness in the wild. Her lab has expanded to study the genetic basis of burrowing behavior, a complex innate behavior, revealing that it is controlled by a surprisingly small number of genomic loci. Hoekstra's research integrates population genomics, functional genetics, behavioral ecology, and developmental biology. Her lab uses high-throughput DNA sequencing, genotyping arrays, CRISPR-based genome editing in non-model organisms, and behavioral tracking systems, representing a significant buyer of genomics instrumentation. She is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, and has been recognized with the Genetics Society of America Medal.

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