Michael Alfaro

Michael Alfaro is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles. His research focuses on evolutionary biology, conservation biology, and marine biology, with an emphasis on understanding the factors governing evolutionary dynamics and diversification patterns. Alfaro's work integrates molecular phylogenetics, evolutionary morphology, and theoretical evolution to explore questions related to species richness and morphological diversity. His research spans coral reef fishes and neotropical primates, employing quantitative and interdisciplinary approaches to address macroevolutionary patterns. Alfaro is affiliated with the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and contributes to courses and seminars in evolutionary biology and computational methods.

Michael E. Alfaro is a researcher at UCLA specializing in macroevolution. His work focuses on understanding the processes that drive evolutionary diversification and the factors influencing speciation rates across different taxa. Alfaro's research integrates phylogenetic analysis with statistical modeling to explore patterns of trait evolution, diversification, and the role of environmental and genetic factors in shaping biodiversity. His studies span marine fishes, vertebrates, and fungi, with an emphasis on how evolutionary innovations and ecological interactions contribute to species radiation. Alfaro has developed computational tools such as GEIGER to analyze macroevolutionary models and has contributed to the understanding of speciation dynamics in various groups.