Alexander Mikheyev

Being attacked by angry leaf-cutting ants in south Texas. I deserve it for digging up their nest.

Fist off, I go by Sasha...

I recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior. This transitional state comes with great freedom and flexibility, as I am now free to explore my interests and shape a new research plan for the future. I hope that the CSSS will be a source of new ideas, and an opportunity to meet interesting collaborators.

In the course of my dissertation I have have worked on a range of questions, such as:

• What are the genetic consequences of ecological interactions between species?
• What is the role of sex in facilitating adaptation?
• What allows certain organisms to invade new habitats and displace native species?

Most of my work has thus far involved a combination of field work and molecular analysis. However, I think my next project will rely more on publicly available data. For example, in anticipating the flood of re-sequenced human genome data, which may allow us to look at a whole host of old problems in new ways, I am particularly interested in trying to do something with the Personal Genome Project.

I was packing my bags to go on vacation, when I got an opportunity to join the CSSS at the last minute. I look forward to meeting all of you shortly.