Our lab does microbial experimental evolution: We harness the speed of microbial reproduction to observe evolution directly, in front of our eyes, in just a few weeks. We grow microbes for hundreds of generations in specific environmental conditions, and we evaluate how the microbial populations changed over time.

Our study organisms are viruses that infect bacteria, also called bacteriophages. These viruses are harmless to humans, but their evolutionary principles can be applied to topics as diverse as new viral diseases, advantages of different life history strategies, and the effects of climate change. We are particularly interested in how changing environmental conditions influence viral adaptation.

Learn more about our current projects

View our publications: Google Scholar, OrcID

Diversity is a necessary ingredient for evolution. In the same way, scientists with diverse identities, backgrounds, interests, and religions bring new perspectives that push science forward. We welcome all kinds of new researchers, and we look forward to finding ways to evolve our lab with your unique contributions!

Learn how to join us!

B.S. Yale University
Ph.D. University of Washington, Seattle
SPIRE Postdoctoral Scholar, Univerity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. Singhal became fascinated with bacteriophages as an undergraduate and has been working with them since. She is especially interested in combining her lab research in microbial evolution with mentorship, undergraduate teaching, and public outreach.

• Address

  San José State University
  Department of Biological Sciences
  One Washington Square
  San José, CA 95192-0100

• Email

  sonia.singhal@sjsu.edu

• Office Phone

  (408) 924-4908

• Lab Phone

  (408) 924-4850