Jason Pienaar

Research Areas

The Pienaar lab's primary research goal is to elucidate evolutionary links between genetic systems, trait adaptations and the ecological context they occur in. We use a combination of evolutionary modeling, "omics," phenotypic trait measurementsand phylogenetic comparative methodsto test the assumptions and predictions of models or hypotheses. We are particularly interested in charismatic traits such as fig wasp sex and male morph allocation and desiccation resistance in tardigrades.

Education

• PhD in Evolutionary Genetics, The University of Pretoria, South Africa
• BS in Molecular Genetics, The University of Pretoria, South Africa