Dana Aguilar
Postdoctoral Associate
Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi
Education: PhD Universidad Nacional de Cordoba
Research Websites: Evolutionary Genomics Lab
Research Areas: Computacional Science, Bioinformatics, Evolution
Dana Aguilar is currently working on understanding the evolutionary history and diversification of mesquite trees. The project aims to collect multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, metagenomics) to investigate the role of population structure, demography, and hybridization in shaping genetic diversity in both invasive and native populations from habitats across the globe.
Before joining Evolutionary Genomics Lab, Aguilar focused on South America’s mesquite species. Over the past seven years, she has explored the spatial, ecological, and evolutionary history of the genera Neltuma and Strombocarpa, first as an undergraduate and later as a doctoral student. Her research has centered on the phylogeny and phylogeography of these genera — keystone trees in South America — to uncover the factors shaping their genetic diversity and distribution, aiming to improve our understanding of species diversification in dryland ecosystems.