The primary research interest of the Maroja Lab is the evolution of barriers to gene exchange; that is, how does reproductive isolation evolve and how do lineages become eventually distinct? In particular, we are interested in understanding (1) the molecular and genetic basis of barriers to gene exchange in recently diverged species, and (2) the consequences of hybridization to recently diverged species and populations. The existence of recently diverged species that are still exchanging genes challenges our ability to understand the maintenance of species barriers. However, it also offers a unique opportunity to investigate gene flow and characterize genes important for species identity. It is this opportunity that forms the basis of our research interests. Understanding reproductive barriers is essential to understanding the maintenance of species boundaries in sexually reproducing organisms and thus why organisms fall into discrete clusters (i.e., species).
