Evolutionary biologist Sarah Otto to deliver Thomas Hunt Morgan Lecture

Sara Otto

Sarah Otto

By Kiana Pino Alpaca 

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Sarah P. Otto, Ph.D., a professor of zoology at the University of British Columbia in Canada, will present the annual Thomas Hunt Morgan Lecture at the University of Kentucky. The lecture is hosted by the UK Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences.  

The lecture, “Genomic Scope of Adaptive Mutations in the Face of Environmental Challenges,” will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in Room 116 of the Thomas Hunt Morgan Biological Sciences Building. 

Otto’s research focuses on the evolutionary processes that shape the diversity of biological traits found in nature. Her work uses mathematical theory, statistical analysis and evolutionary experiments to investigate questions about reproduction, genome size and mate selection. 

Otto is also the co-author of the 2007 book “A Biologist’s Guide to Mathematical Modeling in Ecology and Evolution” published by Princeton University Press. The book introduces mathematical modeling techniques to undergraduate and graduate biology students. She also co-edited “Population Genetics and Molecular Evolution of Whole Genomes” with A.G. Clark in 2002. 

Beyond her research, Otto has been involved in organizations focused on evolution, biodiversity and conservation. She helped establish the Canadian Society of Ecology and Evolution, serves as director of the Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellowship Program and also served as director of the Biodiversity Research Centre at the University of British Columbia. 

The Department of Biology will host additional events Friday, Oct. 2, as part of its annual Biology Alumni Weekend. Events include: 

  • Coffee & Career Networking; 10-11 a.m. at the Hilary J. Boone Center.
  • “Meet Current Biology Faculty,” 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. in Room 361M of the Don and Cathy Jacobs Science Building .
  • A biology art exhibit featuring artist Brandon C. Smith with the UK College of Fine Arts; 4-5:30 p.m. in the Thomas Hunt Morgan Building atrium. 
  • The Thomas Hunt Morgan Alumni Reception; 6:30-9 p.m. at the Thomas Hunt Morgan House in downtown Lexington. 

Established in 2009, the Thomas Hunt Morgan Lecture honors the research career of Thomas Hunt Morgan, a Lexington native and University of Kentucky graduate, as well as scientists whose work represents outstanding achievement in genetics, molecular biology and developmental biology.