Evolutionary and Ecological Genomics
Kansas State University | Division of Biology | Morgan Labhttp://www.ksu.eduhttp://www.ksu.edu/biologyhttp://www.ksu.edu/morganlabshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2

Research in my lab is motivated by the fact that most species are subdivided into finite systems of subpopulations and that the pattern of phenotypic and genetic variation within and among populations provides crucial information about evolutionary processes in nature. Determining the relative roles of diverse evolutionary processes in population differentiation and local adaptation has and remains one of the central questions in evolutionary biology. My lab addresses these questions using a combination of quantitative genetic, molecular genetic, candidate gene, genomic, and statistical approaches to investigate the evolution and genetic control of ecologically important phenotypes in nature.

Currently, the research in my lab focuses on three broad research questions:

  1. What are the loci and genetic networks that underlie ecologically-relevant phenotypic variation?

  2. What evolutionary processes have influenced (and currently influence) the molecular genetic variation at these functional loci? Among populations? Among species?

  3. How does molecular variation in these loci and networks influence ecologically relevant phenotypic variation in nature?

To address these questions, we currently employ the powerful model system of Drosophila melanogaster, because it allows us to use many of the numerous genetic and genomic tools that are available in this model system. However, in addition to a fantastic genetic tool kit D. melanogaster also displays many complex adaptation in nature (e.g. cold tolerance, heat tolerance, starvation resistance, etc.) thus it is an ideal model system for the study of ecological and evolutionary genomics.

Although, research in my lab has focused primarily on quantitative genetics in Drosophila, I have very broad interests that span the entire field of evolutionary and ecological quantitative genetics. If you are interested in any aspect of evolutionary and ecological genetics, I encourage you to contact me regardless of your particular taxonomic allegiance.

Welcome to the Morgan Laboratory







Ecological Genomics



EEB at K-State



Fun outside the Lab



Life in Manhattan


Morgan Lab

Mailing address:

Division of Biology

116 Ackert Hall

Manhattan, KS 66506

Phone Numbers:

Ted’s office: 785-532-6126

Molecular lab: 785-532-6074

Fly lab: 785-532-6416

Fax: 785-532-6653

email: tjmorgan@ksu.edu

Ted’s skype: morganlab.ksu


Physical Location:

Fly Lab: Chalmers 257

Molecular Lab: Chalmers 261

Incubator Lab: Chalmers 263

Ted’s Office: Chalmers 239D

This is where you can find us on the campus map.