Research projects
Host-parasite interactions
Parasites have played a major role in shaping the evolution of vertebrate immune systems. Among immune-related genes, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) stands out as one of the most studied and is essential for mounting an effective adaptive immune response. Understanding how MHC diversity is maintained offers key insights into the dynamics of natural selection and the coevolutionary arms race between hosts and pathogens. To explore how pathogen-mediated selection both promotes and constrains immune gene diversity, my research examines patterns of natural variation across spatial, temporal, and hybridization gradients.
Mate choice
Mating preferences and kin recognition based on specific immune gene profiles, such as MHC genotypes, can provide both direct and indirect fitness benefits. These preferences may play a key role in maintaining immune gene diversity within populations. A central question driving our research is how these MHC genotypes are communicated between kin and potential mates—an area that remains poorly understood.
Comparative insights
More broadly, we apply phylogenetic and meta-analytic approaches to test whether these selective pressures—such as pathogen load, sexual selection, and sex-specific selection—consistently influence immune gene diversity across species. This comparative framework allows us to evaluate how these forces operate across diverse life histories and shape immune gene evolution at macroevolutionary scales.