University of Helsinki
Our next online Physics Colloquium for this autumn season will take place on Friday, November 19th. Our speaker will be Hanna Kokko from the University of Zurich, in Switzerland, who will talk about her current research in evolutionary biology.
Hanna Kokko obtained her PhD from the University of Helsinki in 1997 on the topic of sexual selection. She currently is a full professor in evolutionary ecology in the Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies of the University of Zurich, where she leads a team working at the crossroads between evolutionary biology and ecology. Drawing from her initial background in applied mathematics and engineering, she is particularly interested in the mathematical logic that underpins biology. Her research interests include the evolution of reproductive and social strategies, as well as sustainability science.
In this colloquium, titled If evolution is all about the survival of the fittest, how come it produces so much diversity?, Hanna will talk about the role of natural selection in the diversity of species.
The event will be held on Friday 19.11.21 at 14:15, on Zoom (Meeting ID: 655 7001 8701 – Passcode: 534720).
Here is her abstract:
If one thinks of evolution by natural selection as a process that weeds out poorly performing genotypes and filters out the good ones, one can rightfully express wonder at the fact that there is not one best solution that has taken over everywhere. I will discuss three case studies (Daphnia waterfleas, Gouldian finches, and a marine midge) that highlight how and why diversity in behaviours and/or strains of organisms can be maintained by natural selection.