Roberto Márquez

Major Fields of Interest

• Evolutionary genetics
• Developmental biology
• Vertebrate Pigmentation
• Neurotoxin resistance
• Biogeography
• Herpetology

Current Research

Our research focuses on understanding the molecular underpinnings of phenotypic evolution, especially with regard to complex traits. Our main research program takes an organism-centered approach to investigate the evolution of aposematic coloration and extreme toxicity in poison frogs, especially the genus Phyllobates. Integrative approaches are essential for a rigorous understanding of biological phenomena. Our research draws from a variety of computational and experimental perspectives across the biological sciences, including genomics, population genetics, systematics, developmental biology, molecular physiology, high-throughput biological imaging, and genome editing. Therefore, an important portion of our research program is focused on developing tools and resources to establish poison frogs as a model system in integrative biology.