I am interested in applying evolutionary principles to understand medicine. Evolutionary processes and eco-evolutionary dynamics shape human physiology, and evolutionary theories thus provide invaluable insight into why we are susceptible to diseases. My research uses Drosophila melanogaster flies and Caenorhabditis worms as my model systems.

I am interested in:

• Evolution of Aging

Using Drosophila melanogaster flies, I investigate the connection between ultimate evolutionary forces and proximate physiological mechanisms shaping aging. This work provides insights into aging trajectories, longevity, and age-related diseases.

• Major Evolutionary Transitions

Understanding how evolutionary transitions have shaped biological complexity is crucial for deciphering human health and disease. My work uses superorganisms (ants, bees, and termites; transition from solitary to social living) and cancers (uncontrolled cell proliferation in multicellular bodies) as models to explore the evolutionary mechanisms driving biological organization shifts and their biomedical implications.

• Stem Cell Capacity, Life-History Trade-Off, and Cancer Susceptibility

Stem cell capacity underlies tissue maintenance (higher capacity) and differentiation (lower capacity) and is thus central to the trade-off between longevity (somatic maintenance) and reproduction (gamete production). This trade-off can potentially impact cancer defense, where better maintenance enhances cancer suppression. My research examines how stem cell dynamics mediate survival-reproduction trade-offs with implications for reproductive medicine, aging, and cancer biology.

• Evolutionary Role and Medical Implications of Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance

Aberration in the epigenome is common in diseases. Moreover, empirical evidence shows that some epigenetic changes can be transmitted transgenerationally to future generations, suggesting that the epigenome could serve as the raw material for evolution. This challenges classical genetic models and suggests long-term effects of environmental changes. My work explores how epigenetic inheritance influences adaptation and contributes to transgenerational pathologies.

• Cognition and Transgenerational Memory

Using Caenorhabditis worms, I examine variation in cognitive capacity and transgenerational memory across species, with a focus on the role of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway in these processes. This research has implications for understanding memory, learning, and neurological diseases.