Yui Suzuki
Dorothy and Charles Jenkins, Jr. Distinguished Chair in Science and Professor of Biological Sciences
Links
Evolutionary development (Evo-devo); Developmental genetics; Insect physiology
My research interests are in insect evo-devo and developmental physiology. I take a multidisciplinary approach to understand how the genes and environment interact to regulate the development of complex phenotypes. My current research focuses on postembryonic development, with a particular emphasis on understanding: 1) the regulation and evolution of phenotypic plasticity and 2) the evolutionary origin of insect metamorphosis. The lab is currently working on the regulation underlying phenotypic plasticity of body coloration and larval growth. The lab is also using the beetle, Tribolium castaneum, to understand how insect metamorphosis evolved and the role of cellular plasticity in evolution. Student research is an integral part of my research, and I encourage participation at scientific meetings and co-authorships in peer-reviewed journals.
I teach several courses at all levels of the curriculum, including introductory cell and molecular biology, developmental biology and evo-devo. In my Seminar in Evolutionary Developmental Biology course, I try to give students a taste of what it might be like to be at a graduate school. Students design semester-long independent research projects involving functional analysis of a gene of their choice using a molecular technique called RNA interference. We also read original papers and discuss topics such as the Urbilateria, convergent evolution, evolution of novelties, developmental constraints and heterochrony. These papers deal with issues such as the evolution of snakes, development of butterfly eyespots and evolution of human speech.
Aside from my work in the lab, I am also involved in several insect development projects with researchers at Harvard University, Northeastern University and Tufts University. I am also starting a collaborative project with Dr. Heather Mattila in the Biological Sciences department to examine the metamorphosis of the nervous system in the honey bees. I have also reviewed papers for journals in insect development and evolution.
In my spare time, I enjoy biking, running, hiking and reading novels. I also love to go cross-country and downhill skiing in the winter. I am also part of the Wellesley College composers' group and enjoy composing music that depicts the lives of insects.
Education
- B.A., Bowdoin College
- Ph.D., Duke University
Current and upcoming courses
Ecological Evolutionary Developmental Biology with Laboratory
BISC311
How did cannibalistic tadpoles evolve? Why don’t fruit bats get diabetes despite the large amount of sugar they consume? Ecological evolutionary developmental biology, or eco-evo-devo, is an emerging field that answers such questions by exploring how environmental (abiotic and biotic) factors impact the development and evolution of organisms. We will discuss topics such as adaptations to climate change, developmental origin of health and disease, developmental endocrinology and endocrine disruption. Through reading of original papers, we will examine recent advances made in eco-evo-devo and critically analyze the role of eco-evo-devo in biology – from molecules to organisms – and its implications beyond biology. Students will have the opportunity to design and conduct an independent research project with insects using molecular tools.
This course has a required co-requisite Laboratory - BISC 311L.
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Introductory Cellular and Molecular Biology with Laboratory
BISC110P
A foundation course that focuses on the study of life at the cellular and molecular level, including eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure, function of biological macromolecules, molecular genetics, cellular metabolism, and key topics in cell biology. This course will provide the fundamental tools for exploration of cellular and molecular biology with the aim of enhancing conceptual understanding. Laboratories focus on experimental approaches to these topics. This course is intended for students who, because of their previous biology, chemistry or math preparation, would benefit from additional academic support for the study of introductory biology, or who do not meet the prerequisites to enroll in BISC 110. Includes two additional class meetings per week. Students in BISC 110P must enroll in BISC 110P lab. Students must attend lab during the first week in order to continue in the course.