My main research interest is the study of chromosome evolution. Namely, to understand the forces that shape genomes through evolution and unravel the role of chromosomal rearrangements in adaptation and speciation. To do that, I use comparative and functional genomics’ tools, paired with high performance computing, to process and analyze whole-genome sequences of living species. My current main projects are:

• Vertebrate chromosome evolution: reconstruction of ancestral genomes across the vertebrate’s phylogeny, identification and dating of chromosomal rearrangements, and their link with species divergence and phenotype evolution;
• Yeasts’ chromosome evolution: unraveling the role of chromosomal rearrangements in the lipid production and accumulation mechanisms.

Other project include:

• Evaluation of genome assemblies: utilization of comparative genomics tools to identify problematic regions in genome assemblies;
• Identification of species at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection: creation of a ranking system, based of protein sequence similarity to the human receptor for SARS-CoV-2 (ACE2), for the prediction of propensity for ACE2/SARS-CoV-2 binding in vertebrate species.