David Tian


evolution, genomics, conservation








Photo: Katheryn McGinnis

About Me

Hi! I'm a fourth year PhD candidate working with Chris Martin at UC Berkeley in the Department of Integrative Biology and the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. I am broadly interested in understanding how evolutionary forces shape genetic variation over time and space and how information is encoded in the genome to program the development and function of organismal diversity and complexity. To answer these questions, I apply genomic and molecular genetic approaches to non-model organism systems.

Photo: Katheryn McGinnis

Devils Hole Pupfish persistence

The Devils Hole Pupfish is a critically endangered species that lives in the smallest known habitat for a vertebrate in the world in Death Valley. Using genomics, I am investigating how isolation and small population size have shaped its genetic diversity over time as well as how unique deleterious variants may have influenced its recent decline. This work will better inform our understanding of the risks that isolated and endangered populations face.

Tian, D., Patton, A., Turner, B., and C. H. Martin. Severe inbreeding, increased mutation load and gene loss-of-function in the critically endangered Devils Hole pupfish. Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

Photo: NPS

Mosquito host preference behavior

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are potent disease vectors that have evolved a robust preference for humans as hosts. Thanks to advances in CRISPR transgenics, we are able to investigate the genetic and neural basis of this fascinating behavior and what makes human odor so attractive. Hopefully, this work will lead to novel techniques and strategies for disease control and public health.

Zhao, Z., Tian, D., and C. S. McBride. Development of a pan-neuronal genetic driver in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Cell Reports Methods.

Photo: Zhilei Zhao

Butterfly wing pattern coloration

Heliconius butterflies exhibit striking diversity in wing patterns and have served as an excellent system for studying how morphology evolves and develops. Repeated Müllerian mimicry across different species allows us to investigate whether identical phenotypes arise from similar or novel developmental pathways.

Concha, C., Wallbank, W. R., Hanly, J., Fenner, J., Livraghi, L., Santiago, E., Paulo, D., Arias, C., Vargas, M., Sanjeev, M., Morrison, C., Tian, D., Massardo, D., Counterman, A. B., Scott, M., Jiggins, C., Papa, R., Martin, A. and W. O. McMillan. 2019. Interplay between developmental flexibility and determinism in the evolution of mimetic Heliconius wing patterns. Current Biology.

Publications

Link to Google Scholar

2022

Tian, D., Patton, A., Turner, B., and C. H. Martin. Severe inbreeding, increased mutation load and gene loss-of-function in the critically endangered Devils Hole pupfish. Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

2020

Zhao, Z., Tian, D., and C. S. McBride. 2020. Development of a pan-neuronal driver in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Cell Reports Methods.

2019

Concha, C., Wallbank, W. R., Hanly, J., Fenner, J., Livraghi, L., Santiago, E., Paulo, D., Arias, C., Vargas, M., Sanjeev, M., Morrison, C., Tian, D., Massardo, D., Counterman, A. B., Scott, M., Jiggins, C., Papa, R., Martin, A. and W. O. McMillan. 2019. Interplay between developmental flexibility and determinism in the evolution of mimetic Heliconius wing patterns. Current Biology.

Science Journalism

2016

D. Tian. 2016. Ecosystem Engineers: Modifying our Surrounding Environments. Swarthmore Journal of Science.

2015

D. Tian. 2015. Unraveling the Links Between Ecosystems and Public Health. Swarthmore Journal of Science.