Darwin Day 2019 Examines Genes that Contribute to Behavior

Understanding which genes affect important behaviors and how they work in the brain continue to be a challenge in biology. Dr. Hopi Hoekstra, the Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology at Harvard University, will address natural variation in behavior within and between species of wild mice at this year’s Darwin Day lecture.

From Darwin to DNA: Digging for Genes that Contribute to Behavior will be held Monday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. in the Charles J. Dougherty Ballroom of the Power Center.

During her presentation, Hoekstra will examine innate behavior such as burrowing, which produces an intriguing and complex animal architecture, to explore the genetics and neurobiology of behavioral evolution. She also will reflect on how studying natural variation in mice can reveal the genetics of human behavior.

The annual Darwin Day lecture celebrates the life and work of noted naturalist Charles Darwin, who developed a theory of evolution to explain biological change. The event emphasizes the importance of science education in today’s world and the impact that evolutionary biology has on our lives.

Darwin Day 2019 is sponsored by the dean’s office of the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences.

The event is free and open to the public, with a reception to follow. Visit duq.edu/darwin to learn more.