Dr. Danielle Drabeck
Evolutionary Biologist | Bioinformatician | Advocate for Inclusive Science
I study how organisms evolve — and what their DNA can teach us about the stunning diversity of life on Earth.
As an evolutionary biologist, I use tools from genomics, molecular biology, and biochemistry to ask questions about how traits arise, how they change, and how natural selection shapes the genomes of organisms adapting to extreme environments.
My research explores questions like:
How do genes give rise to traits?
What’s the molecular evolutionary story behind venom resistance, hibernation, or living in total darkness?
How repeatable is evolution?
Do different animals solve the same challenges with the same genes — or take different evolutionary paths?
How does selection leave footprints in the genome?
What can we learn about evolution by studying adaptation across dozens (or hundreds) of species? My work often focuses on marsupials, cavefishes, and other extraordinary vertebrate adaptations, and combines wet lab experiments with large-scale genomic analysis.
Beyond the lab
I'm a woman in STEM, a mother, a scientist with a disability, and a humanist committed to building a better academic culture. I care deeply about creating inclusive spaces where students, colleagues, and collaborators of all identities feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.
My lab and classroom are places where curiosity and community come together — because science is better when it’s diverse, collaborative, and kind.