Colorado State University

Our research is at the interface of conservation, genomics, ecology, and evolution. The Funk Lab strives to understand the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that generate and maintain biodiversity, and how rapid global environmental change affects these processes. We address questions by integrating population genomics, quantitative field methods, controlled experiments, and computational analysis in a variety of taxonomic groups (amphibians, fish, stream insects, birds, mammals, reptiles, and terrestrial insects). Much of our research focuses on freshwater habitats, such as streams, rivers, ponds, wetlands, and lakes. Research in the Funk Lab has been funded by a diversity of agencies and organizations, including the US National Science Foundation, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Geological Survey, the US Forest Service, the US Bureau of Land Management, the Department of Defense, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, The Moore Foundation, and the National Geographic Society. We are an inclusive and supportive lab that firmly believes that diverse people and perspectives strengthen our science, and enrich our lives.

An important dimension of our research program is conservation genomics, which harnesses population genetics theory and cutting-edge sequencing technology to address a variety of conservation questions. Our lab uses genomic approaches to inform conservation of many species of conservation concern by delineating conservation units, estimating effective population sizes, quantifying adaptive potential, etc., particularly in amphibians as part of AmphibiaGen. Chris is deeply involved in improving the integration of genomics into national and international conservation policy. At the national level, he works extensively with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to advise them how best to incorporate genetic considerations into US Endangered Species Act listing decisions. At the international level, he serves as a member of the IUCN Conservation Genetics Specialist Group, GEO BON Genetic Composition Working Group, and Coalition for Conservation Genetics to advance genetic targets in international conservation policy, most recently focusing on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Climate change is the defining issue of our times. Increasing temperatures and extreme weather events are already impacting people, places, and nature, and these impacts will worsen for decades to come, even under the most optimistic greenhouse gas emission scenarios. A primary research focus of the Funk Lab is to understand taxonomic and spatial variation in vulnerability and resilience to climate change. By identifying which species and populations are most sensitive, we can target conservation efforts appropriately.