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, 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. We are particularly interested in the role of natural selection in shaping adaptive genetic and phenotypic variation. In addition, we are interested in the role of natural selection in reproductive isolation. We use an integrative approach combining molecular genetic techniques, theoretical modeling, experimental tests, breeding studies and fieldwork. With the completion of the laboratory mouse and rat genomes, natural populations of rodents are ideal systems in which both genetic and ecological information is available to address these questions.
Recent Publications
Steiner, C.C., J.N. Weber and H.E. Hoekstra. (in press) Adaptive variation in beach mice caused by two interacting pigmentation genes. PLoS Biology.
Hoekstra, H.E. and J.A. Coyne. 2007. The locus of evolution: evo devo and the genetics of adaptation. Evolution. 61(5):995-1016.
Storz, J.F. and H.E. Hoekstra. 2007. The study of adaptation and speciation in the genomic era. Journal of Mammalogy. 88(1):1-4.
Stinchcombe, J.R. and H.E. Hoekstra. 2007. Population genomics and quantitative genetics: combined approaches for finding the genes underlying ecologically important traits. Heredity: Special Issue on Ecological and Evolutionary Functional Genomics. early online.
Hoekstra, H.E. 2006. Genetics, development and evolution of adaptive pigmentation in vertebrates. Heredity: Special issue on Evolution and Development. 97:222-234.
See complete publications list. 
Courses Taught
OEB 53. Evolutionary Biology
OEB 370. Mammalian Evolutionary Genetics
