Graham Coop, a professor of evolution and ecology at UC Davis, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. This honor recognizes his contributions to the field of evolutionary genetics. Coop is among nearly 250 new members announced by the academy on April 23, joining 36 other current and former UC Davis faculty members.
Coop’s work in evolutionary genetics has earned him accolades from both UC Davis and beyond. His recognitions include a 2014 College of Biology Research Prize, a term as a Chancellor’s Fellow from 2015 to 2019, and a Graduate and Postdoctoral Mentorship Award in 2019.
“Science is a team effort,” said Coop. “This recognition is a credit to everyone who’s worked in our lab over the years, and I’m so pleased on their behalf.”
Coop’s research focuses on how genetics and environmental factors influence population evolution. By using mathematical modeling and data analysis, he addresses questions related to genetic variation within individuals, populations, and species.
“Understanding human genetic variation is key to understanding who we are, how we came to be, and how we moved around the world and adapted to our environment,” Coop explained. He added that his lab’s work has contributed to understanding human migration patterns and adaptation processes.
Among Coop’s notable studies is a 2006 investigation into human evolution that was recognized as one of Science’s top ten breakthroughs for revealing the divergence between humans and Neanderthals nearly half a million years ago. Further significant findings include tracing European ancestry back approximately 1,000 years in a study from 2013, as well as research from 2020 detailing how Neanderthal DNA is being gradually eliminated from the human genome through natural selection.
“One of the most exciting things in our research at the moment is that we’re starting to be able to identify how natural selection has impacted many parts of the human genome simultaneously,” said Coop.
Coop’s laboratory also explores evolutionary questions across various organisms such as maize co-evolution with humans in the Americas, walnut sex alternation evolution, and interactions between genomics and climate affecting African honey bee distribution at high latitudes.
Initially trained as a physicist before transitioning into biology during graduate school, Coop reflected on his career shift: “I’d always been interested in genetics and evolution… From that moment I never really looked back.”
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences was established in 1780 as an honorary society recognizing excellence across multiple fields including arts, sciences, business, philanthropy, and public affairs. Members are nominated by peers based on leadership achievements.
