Projects
A bio-philosophical study of Darwinian selection versus Lamarckian instruction in contemporary evolutionary systems biology Ghent University
We will investigate the theoretical and empirical conditions for evolution by Darwinian natural selection versus Lamarckian instruction. The latter, 'pre-Darwinian' hypothesis on biological evolution is currently taken back into consideration in contemporary evolutionary systems biology. We will analyse its conceptual and empirical relationship to natural selection as well as the crucial heuristic role the Weismann barrier plays in this.
Toward a Unified Foundation for Evolutionary Biology. KU Leuven
My project aims to offer a new way of conceptualizing the foundations of evolutionary biology. The framework I am developing, called the “life−history space” account will address the disunified nature of contemporary evolutionary theory by offering a unified conceptual foundation. What is unique about the life−history space account is that it considers the space of possible life histories—the lives that organisms could potentially live—as ...
SRP (Groeiers): Evolutionary innovations in amphibians: from ecology to molecules Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Theme 1. - Natural History and Evolution - Research leader: Prof. Dr. Franky Bossuyt Majortechnicalspecialization:molecular phylogenetics
Theme 2. - Amphibian Toxinology - Research leader: Prof. Dr. Kim Roelants Major technical ...
Increasing safety and throughput in evolutionary ecology research of zoonotic and wildlife pathogens. University of Antwerp
Insights on the evolutionary ecology of the woody flora in tropical Africa Ghent University
While some plant lineages are strictly associated to a specific biome, evidence of widely distributed woody genera transcending biome boundaries have also been reported. However, why and how these lineages were able to evolve and occur in wide geographical space, while other ones display restricted distribution, are still poorly addressed questions. In this project, we will address these questions for a large set of woody lineages across ...
Evolutionary paths to adaptive divergence: The role of ancient and ongoing hybridisation in rapid speciation of sailfin silverside fishes. University of Antwerp
The Modern versus Extended Evolutionary Synthesis: an intra-genomic gene's eye view for the evolution-theoretic underpinning of molecular and developmental epigenetics Ghent University
Studying the phenotypic evolution of organisms in terms of populations of genes and genotypes, the Modern Synthesis (MS) conceptualizes biological evolution in terms of 'inter-organismal' interactions among genes sitting in the different individual organisms that constitute a population.
It 'black-boxes' the complex 'intra-organismic' molecular and developmental epigenetics that mediates between genotypes and phenotypes. To conceptually ...
The Cuban Magnolia species (Magnoliaceae): assessment of the genetic diversity and the underlying evolutionary history Ghent University
We will assess genetic diversity and study evolutionary history of endangered Cuban Magnolias at species and population level to reveal evolutionary patterns that led to present--‐day diversity and distribution. Using fossils, times of origin and radiation will be estimated and aligned with known geologic and climatologic history. Scientific knowledge generated will also be of value towards conservation of Cuban Magnolias.
Organism-Environment Interactions in Evolutionary Theory KU Leuven
This dissertation concerns the active role of the organism in evolutionary theory. In particular, it concerns how our conception of the relationship between organism and environment, and the nature of natural selection, influences the causal and explanatory role of organismic activity and behavior in evolutionary explanations. The overarching aim is to argue that the behaviors and activities of organisms can serve both as the explananda (that ...