New Faculty Profiles showcase GSA members who are establishing their first independent labs. If you’d like to be considered for a profile, please complete this form on the GSA website.
Erik Andersen
Assistant Professor of Molecular Biosciences (Since 2013)
Northwestern University
Lab website
Personal Twitter: @ecandersen
Research program:
My lab has broad interests in how the variation that exists in natural populations influences the phenotypes of organisms. We utilize computational and statistical methods along with molecular and classical genetic tools to accomplish this goal. We have four main projects in our group: (1) understanding the molecular mechanisms for why individuals in populations differ in responses to drugs, including chemotherapeutic and anthelmintic compounds, (2) characterization of genomes and genome evolution across our species-wide and genome-wide data set, (3) elucidation of the importance of and the factors that contribute to gene-by-environment interactions, and (4) identification of genetic modifiers of conserved cell-signaling pathways.
I am looking for graduate students and postdocs interested in applying the power of C. elegans genetics and genomics to new and fun directions. Graduate students should apply through Northwestern’s Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences program. Post-doctoral researchers should contact me directly and send a CV and short description of your interests.
Role of GSA in your career:
The first meeting of my scientific career was a GSA-sponsored International C. elegans meeting in 2001. Since that time, this biennial meeting is the “rock” of my scientific career providing education and inspiration. Also, the GSA plays a crucial role training future geneticists by providing excellent educational resources and funding for students to attend meetings. Lastly and importantly, I am grateful for GSA’s advocacy to educate and inform our elected representatives and funding organizations about the power of genetics in basic science discovery.
“C. elegans! The discoveries facilitated by this little animal humble and inspire me. I love that I never know where a screen or mapping will take me. Every day is filled with new adventures that challenge my assumptions and knowledge-base. My research group uses techniques from molecular genetics to computational biology – this diversity makes life fun and offers fantastic training opportunities. All of it has been facilitated by this wonderful nematode.” – Erik Andersen
Previous training experiences:
- Undergrad at Stanford University with a BS in Biological Sciences, research with Matthew Scott on Drosophila embryonic heart tube formation and mesoderm specification
- Graduate study in the Biology Department at MIT with H. Robert Horvitz studying the genetic factors that control vulval cell-fate determination in C. elegans
- Postdoctoral fellow in the Institute for Integrative Genomics at Princeton University with Leonid Kruglyak studying quantitative genetics and genomics of C. elegans wild strains
Teaching:
I teach an upper-level undergraduate genetics course focused on the methods and logic of genetic analysis. Additionally, I teach a computational biology bootcamp to our incoming graduate student class.
Interests Outside of Work:
When I am not at work, I spend time with my family – playing, cooking, and doing projects. For fun (and relaxation), I swim and SCUBA dive.
Read more in
-
Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Julio Molina Pineda
We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Julio Molina Pineda Policy and Advocacy University of Arkansas Research Interest My research interests focus on using model organisms to genetically dissect complex traits related to human disease. My…
-
Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Peiwei Chen
We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Peiwei Chen Accessibility Subcommittee California Institute of Technology Research Interest Far from a harmonious place, the genome is a battleground, where every bit of DNA fights for inheritance and…
-
#Dros23 GSA Poster Award winners
We are pleased to announce the GSA Poster Award winners from the 64th Annual Drosophila Research Conference! Undergraduate and graduate student members of the GSA were eligible for the awards, and a hard-working team of postdocs volunteered their time as judges. Congratulations to all! Undergraduate Students 1st Place: Sofia Karter Lopez, University of Toronto “Rab11 mediates E-cadherin recycling during…
-
Congratulations to the Fall 2022 DeLill Nasser Awardees!
GSA is pleased to announce the recipients of the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics for Fall 2022! Given twice a year to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, DeLill Nasser Awards support attendance at meetings and laboratory courses. The award is named in honor of DeLill Nasser, a long-time GSA supporter and National Science Foundation…
-
New editors join GENETICS, G3 editorial boards
Several new editors are joining the GSA Journals. We’re excited to welcome Ricardo Zayas to the GENETICS editorial board under the Molecular Genetics of Development section, and on the G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics board, we welcome Polly Campbell, Kevin Vogel, Joe Parker, and Ricardo Mallarino. Ricardo Zayas Associate Editor Ricardo Zayas is a Professor of Biology at…
-
Worms and Flies Provide Key Clues to Medical Mystery
This article is part of a series of posts outlining the history and impact of research in experimental organisms. The series is developed in collaboration with the GSA Public Communications and Engagement Committee. By the time Bertrand Might was six months old, it was clear something was amiss. His muscles weren’t developing normally; he was…
-
Congratulations to the 2023 Early Career Leadership Program Cohort!
The Genetics Society of America (GSA) is excited to announce the latest cohort of student, postdoc, and early-career research leaders joining the Early Career Leadership Program. Participants receive training and mentoring while serving on committees charged with understanding the needs, interests, concerns, and challenges of early career scientist members of the GSA. As part of…
-
GSA LOCI: Local Outreach Community Initiatives @ GSA Conferences
Highlights: Local Outreach Community Initiatives (LOCI): The Genetics Society of America is committed to supporting the communities of the host cities of our conferences. This new year, we are excited to reconnect with our GSA community in meaningful ways within and beyond our existing programming. The GSA membership has created a caring and supportive environment…
-
New members of the GSA Board of Directors: 2023–2025
We are pleased to announce the election of five new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors: 2023 Vice President/2024 President Mariana Wolfner Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow My research has focused on the genes and pathways that mediate sexual development and reproduction, primarily in Drosophila. From…
-
Lance David Miller: Lighting Your Own Fire by Finding the Right Resources
By Daniel J. Gironda In the Paths to Science Policy series, we talk to individuals who have a passion for science policy and are active in advocacy through their various roles and careers. The series aims to inform and guide early career scientists interested in science policy. This series is brought to you by the…
-
Graça Almeida-Porada: The Importance of Communication in a Technologically Advancing World
By Daniel J. Gironda In the Paths to Science Policy series, we talk to individuals who have a passion for science policy and are active in advocacy through their various roles and careers. The series aims to inform and guide early career scientists interested in science policy. This series is brought to you by the…