Eric Vallender graduated from the Committee on Genetics in 2006, with a dissertation titled Molecular evolution and positive selection in the emergence of the human phenotype. His advisor was Bruce Lahn, William B. Graham Professor of Human Genetics.
After graduating from UChicago, Eric moved to Boston, and spent several years at the New England Primate Research Center (NEPRC), a research facility of Harvard Medical School, first as a post-doc, then as an instructor and finally as an assistant professor. In 2014, Eric started his current position of associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Eric's research interests have focused on comparative evolutionary genetics, with a primary focus on non-human primate neurogenetics. He is particularly interested in the molecular underpinnings of the human brain and how genetic differences among primates manifest at the phenotypic level. He also studies convergent genetic evolution and the role of functionally similar genetic variation in generating parallel phenotypes in primates. These interests synergize in the development of better non-human primate models and increased translational research.
From PhD to Professorship
Eric has taken on the role of Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. With a strong focus on comparative genomics of psychiatric disease, molecular evolution of the brain, and substance abuse functional genetics, Eric's research is at the forefront of understanding complex neuropsychiatric conditions.
Currently, his research delves into the comparative genomics of neuropsychiatric disease, the evolution of primate brain and behavior, and substance use disorder functional genetics, as well as efforts to improve animal models.
In addition to his role at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Eric also contributes as an External Core Scientist at Tulane University's National Primate Research Center.
Learn more about his research at Eric Vallender - Current Research.
The development of improved animal models
Animal models are primarily useful if they replicate human disease and response. If the phenotype of the animal model is similar to the human phenotype, but the genetic underpinnings diverge, then the research will be of reduced translational value. Using comparative genetics, Eric aims to highlight animal models likely to have translational validity and to strengthen and improve the models, improving the power of animal studies and maximizing their utility.
Because of this research interest, Eric had become nvolved in two NIH-sponsored consortia with the aim of improving and supporting genetics research and application in rhesus macaque colonies: the NIH Non-Human Primate DNA Bank which contains genomic DNA from more than 1000 animals representing more than 10 species, and the NIH’s Non-Human Primate Breeding Colony Management Group, where he acts as genetics liaison.
Interested in reading more about this? Eric suggests to start with the following review articles:
Vallender EJ, Miller GM., Nonhuman primate models in the genomic era: a paradigm shift, ILAR Journal, 2013 [PMID: 24174439]
Ward JM, Vallender EJ, The resurgence and genetic implications of New World primates in biomedical research, Trends Genetics, 2012 [PMID: 23099234]