Events
Exit Seminar
October 7, 2026
Evolutionary History of Tooth Attachment Systems in Archosauromorpha: Understanding the Origin and Ontogeny of Archosaurian Thecodonty: Gabriel Mestriner da Silva (Exit Seminar)
This PhD dissertation by Gabriel Mestriner da Silva will provide the first comprehensive evolutionary synthesis of tooth attachment across Amniota, overturning the long-standing assumption that mammals and crocodilians are unique in possessing ligamentous dentitions.
EEB Seminar
October 9, 2026
How Should We Think about the Pollination Crisis? James D. Thomson (Toronto)
James D. Thomson (Toronto) is skeptical a pollinator crisis is either here or impending and will argue that scientists are not asking the right questions.
EEB Seminar
October 16, 2026
How Many Loci to Lose a Larva? Genetics of a Life-History Dimorphism: Matthew Rockman (NYU)
Transitions from indirect to direct development have happened hundreds of times in animal evolution, each involving a transformation of ontogeny and a shift in life-history strategies. Using a polychaete species caught mid-transition, with alternative developmental modes segregating in populations, Matt Rockman’s lab dissected the genetic architecture and population genomics involved in the evolutionary abandonment of a larval stage. Findings raise questions about the population-biological requirements for developmental evolution.
EEB Seminar
October 23, 2026
Tracking Highly Migratory Fish Migrations in the Atlantic Using the Ocean Tracking Network, One of Canada’s Largest National Research Infrastructures: Rob Lennox (Dalhousie)
Rob Lennox is an associate professor of Biology at Dalhousie University, as well as the scientific director of the Ocean Tracking Network (OTN). His research topics include movement and physiology ecology, animal biotelemetry, conservation biology, animal performance, and aquatic ecosystems.
Exit Seminar
November 5, 2026
Investigations into the Mechanisms of Novel Disease Emergence through Adaptations in Critical Pathogen Virulence Genes: Viplav Agarwal (Exit Seminar)
Microbes cause numerous life-threatening human diseases and drive significant agricultural yield losses worldwide. Although we have developed antimicrobial drugs and bred disease-resistant crop lineages, microbial populations can rapidly evolve to overcome these barriers, rendering treatments ineffective and leaving previously resistant crops vulnerable once more. Unraveling these evolutionary dynamics proves critical to mitigating the threats posed […]
EEB Seminar
November 6, 2026
Pervasive Selective Sweeps within and across Human Gut Microbiomes: Nandita Garud (UCLA)
Nandita Garud (UCLA) focuses on quantifying the mode and tempo of evolution in natural populations, with an emphasis on the microbiome. She synthesizes population genetics, statistics, and analysis of population genomic data, to develop and apply new computational methods to make population genetic inferences from publicly available data.
Exit Seminar
November 9, 2026
Nascent Physiologies in the Evolutionary Assembly of C2 Photosynthesis: Arthur Leung (Exit Seminar)
Most plants lose a large fraction of captured carbon dioxide (CO2) to photorespiration, particularly in hot, dry conditions. C2 photosynthesis recaptures photorespired CO2 by directingits release into specialized, gas-tight leaf cells (the bundle sheath), where released CO2 can then be recycled. Ancestral plants likely possessed a nascent form of this system: glycine moves tothe bundle […]
Exit Seminar
November 12, 2026
Mechanisms of Mate Selection in a Hummingbird-Pollinated Plant: Ferne Kotlyar (Exit Seminar)
Plant reproduction is foundational to plant ecology and evolution. A central component of reproduction is mate selection, the process by which plants choose among potential mates. Ferne Kotlyar’s thesis explores the mechanisms of plant-mate selection in the hummingbird-pollinated plant Heliconia tortuosa. The thesisuses a combination of experimental and observational field studies to unveil a multitude […]
Atwood Colloquium in Ecology & Evolution
This special two-day event provides a fantastic opportunity to learn about the most exciting research in ecology & evolution being done at U of T and abroad.
Broadening Representation & Equity With Science (BREWS)
We promote inclusion and equity through community-building tea breaks and data-driven discussions. We are always looking for speakers & ideas for discussions, so please get in touch!
Conservation Science Group
The EEB Conservation Group is a collaboration of undergrad & grad students, postdoctoral researchers and faculty interested in conservation science.