Deanna Arsala, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

I'm an evolutionary-developmental biologist with over a decade of experience in cutting-edge genomics, gene regulation, microscopy, and genome editing technologies. My scientific journey has led me through diverse areas of biology, as I chase interesting biological questions rather than sticking to specific systems. This approach has allowed me to co-author numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals, covering research topics ranging from epigenetics and population genetics to developmental biology. I'm a fast learner who excels in tackling complex questions in both familiar and uncharted territories.Currently, I'm an NIH-NRSA postdoctoral fellow at The University of Chicago, where my research revolves around illuminating how intralocus sexual conflict can be a driving force behind the evolution of new genes with fertility-related functions. During my PhD at the University of Illinois (UIC), I uncovered how gene body methylation is essential for the activation of zygotic genes in early embryo development. My research trajectory has allowed me to develop a diverse skill set, including molecular genetics, developmental biology, gene regulation, confocal microscopy, CRISPR, RNA-seq, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, qRT-PCR, embryo manipulation, embryonic microinjection, epigenomics, and functional genomics. I am also proficient in R.