Research

My research focuses on understanding how genetic and evolutionary mechanisms have shaped genetic differences among us, and how patterns of genomic variation translate into differences in traits and diseases. I use samples from present-day and ancient populations to study processes shaping genomic variation (recombination, natural selection, founder effect, admixture), to detect the genomic footprints of evolutionary events (adaptation, sexual conflicts), and to elucidate the evolutionary history of traits and diseases. My work involves statistical and computational methods development and analysis of massive datasets, including data from latest omics technologies, richly phenotyped cohorts, and the vast biparental genealogical population tree.

 

A French Canadian 3-generations family, 1960, Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Québec. (c) Copyright Bhérer family.