Hopi E. Hoekstra

John L. Loeb Associate Professor of Natural Sciences
Curator of Mammals in the Museum of Comparative Zoology

Phone: 617-496-9040
E-mail:
Office: 206 MCZ Labs, 26 Oxford St

Lab Website: http://www.oeb.harvard.edu/faculty/hoekstra

Our research focuses on understanding how variation is generated and maintained in natural populations. In particular, we are interested in understanding both the proximate (i.e., molecular, genetic and developmental mechanisms) and ultimate (i.e., timing, strength and agent of selection) causes of evolutionary change. Thus, much of our research focuses on identifying and characterizing the molecular changes responsible for traits that affect fitness of organisms in the wild. To this end, we use an interdisciplinary approach combining molecular techniques (ranging from next-gen sequencing and transcriptomics to cell-based pharmacological assays and in vivo viral vectors), population-genetic tests, classical genetic crosses, lab-based behavioral assays and field-based experiments. We focus primarily on natural populations of mammals in which ecological, developmental and genomic information can be combined to address questions about the evolution of morphological, behavioral and reproductive diversity.

Recent Publications

Rosenblum, E.B., H. Römpler, T. Schöneberg and H.E. Hoekstra. (in press) White lizards on white sands: the molecular and functional basis of phenotypic convergence. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Aminetzach, Y.T, J.R. Srouji, C.Y. Kong and H.E. Hoekstra. 2009. Convergent evolution of novel protein function in shrew and lizard venom. Current Biology 19:1-7.

Linnen, C.R., E.P. Kingsley, J.D. Jensen and H.E. Hoekstra. 2009. On the origin and spread of an adaptive allele in deer mice. Science 325:1095-1098.

Steiner, C.C., H. Römpler, L.M. Boettger, T. Schöneberg and H.E. Hoekstra. 2009. The genetic basis of phenotypic convergence in beach mice: similar pigment patterns but different genes.  Molecular Biology and Evolution 26(1):35-45.

Weber, J.N. and H.E. Hoekstra. 2009. The evolution of burrowing behavior in deer mice.  Animal Behavior 77:603-609.

Mullen, L.M. and H.E. Hoekstra. 2008. Natural selection along an environmental gradient: a classic cline in mouse pigmentation. Evolution 62(7):1555-1570.

Steiner, C.C., J.N. Weber and H.E. Hoekstra. 2007. Adaptive variation in beach mice caused by two interacting pigmentation genes. PLoS Biology 5(9):1880-1889.

Hoekstra, H.E. and J.A. Coyne. 2007. The locus of evolution: evo devo and the genetics of adaptation. Evolution 61(5):995-1016.

Hoekstra, H.E., R.J. Hirschmann, R.A. Bundey, P. Insel and J.P. Crossland. 2006. A single amino acid mutation contributes to adaptive color pattern in beach mice. Science 313:101-104.

See complete publications list.

Courses Taught

OEB 53. Evolutionary Biology

OEB 230. Speciation

OEB 231. Adaptation

OEB 370. Mammalian Evolutionary Genetics