Research Medal Award Winner

Robert Thomson
Biology

Robert Thomson is an assistant professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.

Thomson is an evolutionary biologist who specializes in discovering the history of life using the vast influx of data generated by the advancing genomic revolution in the life sciences.

His work focuses on improving statistical and bioinformatic methods for elucidating this history from complex genomic datasets, applying these methods to long-standing questions about evolutionary history, and using the answers to inform conservation efforts and protect biodiversity.

Supported by multiple National Science Foundation awards, Thomson’s research program has produced publications that generate wide interest including coverage and commentary in newspapers, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Nature; as well as a forthcoming book. He also enhances training opportunities in advanced statistical methods for evolutionary biology through teaching, mentoring, and developing widely used web-based educational resources.