Dr. Richard Gomulkiewicz Department of Mathematics & School of Biological Sciences Washington State University Pullman, WA 99164 email: gomulki@wsu.edu telephone: (509) 335-2527 fax: (509) 335-3184

Research interests

I study theoretical population biology, population genetics, and evolutionary biology using mathematics. My research focuses on how genetics and ecology interact to determine the evolutionary responses of organisms to their environments. My primary research interests involve three facets of this broad focus:

• The population-level and evolutionary responses of species facing novel or altered environments. (More details)
• Coevolution in geographically structured populations and in multi-species communities. (More details to come.)
• The evolution of environmentally sensitive phenotypes. (More details)
• The evolution of sexually selected traits and mating preferences. (More details)

I am also interested in applied biology, especially the development and interpretation of statistical tools based on molecular genetic data for assessing population characteristics of practical importance. (More details)

Research Group

• Devin Drown (Ph.D. student, School of Biological Sciences,WSU: coevolution of snails and trematodes; co-advisor:Dr. Mark Dybdahl)
• Matt Labrum (Ph.D. student, Department of Mathematics, WSU; demographic heterogeneity and extinction)
• Bryan Roosien (Ph.D. student, School of Biologicla Sciences, WSU; host-parasite coevolution)
• Emily Jones (Post-doctoral associate:  Community coevolution)
  

• Joe Rausch (Ph.D. student, School of Biological Sciences, WSU: ecological genetics of plant mating systems; currently: Botanist, US Forest Service)
• Cort Griswold (Post-doctoral associate: Function-valued quantiative traits; currently:  post-doc, University of Arizona; fall 2008: Assistant Professor, University of Guelph)
• Jennifer Spangenberg (M.S. student, School of Biological Sciences, WSU: community coevolution)
• Suman Jandhyala (High School student, Pullman; nest predation and nest parasitism; co-advisor:  Dr. Mike Webster)
  
• Yesenia Rodriguez (Undergraduate, WSU: stage-structured population projection in beetle-parasite systems; co-advisor: Dr. Charlotte Omoto; recently: Intern, National Institutes of Health)
• Amanda Castro (M.S., School of Biological Sciences, WSU; co-advisor:  Dr. Patrick Carter; Currently: Wetland Habitat Biologist, Ecological Land Services Inc., Longview, WA)
• Stephanie Kane (Research associate: statistical analysis of ontogenetic trait evolution; currently: statistician, University of Idaho)
• Erin Clancy (Undergraduate, Harvey Mudd College; Currently: Engineering consultant, Seattle, WA)
• Hisako Kure (M.S. , Mathematics, WSU; Currently: Ph.D. program at Utah State University)
• Ben Logsdon (Undergraduate, WSU: multilocus models of quantitative traits; Currently: Ph.D. program, Cornell University)
  
• Amy McMillan (Ph.D., Systematics & Ecology, University of Kansas; Currently: Associate Professor, Buffalo State College)
• Jim Miller (Ph.D. Mathematics, WSU;  Recently: Instructor, Dept. of Mathematics, WSU)
  
• Scott Nuismer (Ph.D. School of Biological Sciences, WSU; co-advisor:  Dr. John N. Thompson; currently: Associate Professor, University of Idaho)
• Scott Williamson (Undergraduate, University of Kansas; Recently: Assistant Professor, Cornell University [deceased])
  

Teaching

My teaching responsibilities for the School of Biological Sciences include General Genetics (Biol/Mbios 301) and Introduction to Population Genetics (Biol 519). In the math department, I teach courses like Multivariate Calculus (Math 273), Differential Equations (Math 315), Linear Algebra (Math 420/520, and Mathematical Genetics (Math 563/Biol 566). I will post course information here as it becomes available, so be sure to keep your browser fresh.

Current Courses (Fall 2009)

• Mathematical Genetics (MATH 563/BIOL 566) - fall 2009
  

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Courses Taught Previously

• General Genetics (Biol 301/Mbios 301 - spring 2007
  
• Seminar in Mathematical Biology (Biol 494/Math 494) - - spring 2007
• Differential Equations (Math 315) -  spring 2007
  
• Multivariate Calculus (Math 273) - fall 1999
• Linear Algebra (Math 420/520) - fall 2000
• Molecular Evolution (GenCB 581/Bot 590) - spring 1998
• Introduction to Population Genetics (Biol 519) - fall 2006
  

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Selected publications

Gomulkiewicz, R., and A.M. Hastings. (1990) Ploidy and evolution by sexual selection: A comparison of haploid and diploid female choice models near fixation equilibria. Evolution 44 (4):757-770.
 

Gomulkiewicz, R., J.T.K. Brodziak, and M. Mangel. Ranking loci for genetic stock identification by curvature methods. (1990). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 47:611-619.
 

Gomulkiewicz, R. Limited female choice and the evolution of secondary sexual characters. (1991) The American Naturalist 138(6):1396-1407.
 

Bartley, D., B. Bentley, J. Brodziak, R. Gomulkiewicz, M. Mangel, and G. Gall. (1992) Geographical variation in the population genetic structure of Chinook salmon from California and Oregon. Fishery Bulletin, US 90:77-100.
 

Brodziak, J., B. Bentley, D. Bartley, G.A.E. Gall, R. Gomulkiewicz, and M. Mangel. (1992) Tests of Genetic Stock Identification using coded-wire tagged fish. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 49:1507-1517.
 

Gomulkiewicz, R., and M. Kirkpatrick. (1992) Quantitative genetics and the evolution of reaction norms. Evolution 46:390-411. [pdf 987k]
 

Gomulkiewicz, R., and R.D. Holt. (1995) When does evolution by natural selection prevent extinction? Evolution 49:201-207.
 

Via, S., R. Gomulkiewicz, G. de Jong, C. Schlichting, S. Scheiner, and P. van Tienderen. (1995) Adaptive phenotypic plasticity: Consensus and controversy. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 10:212-217.
 

Alexander, H., N.A. Slade, and R. Gomulkiewicz. (1995) Reconstruction of diploid genotypes using haploid progeny: application of Bayes's rule to analysis of RAPD markers in fungi. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 91(8):1284-1287.
 

Gomulkiewicz, R., and J. H. Beder. (1996) The selection gradient of an infinite-dimensional trait. SIAM Journal of Applied Mathematics 56:509-523. Abstract.
 

Holt, R.D., and R. Gomulkiewicz. (1997) The influence of immigration on local adaptation: a re-examination of a familiar paradigm. The American Naturalist 149:563-572.
 

Holt, R.D., and R. Gomulkiewicz. (1997) The evolution of species' niches: a population dynamic perspective. Pages 25-50 in H.G. Othmer, F.R. Adler, M.A. Lewis, & J.C. Dalton, eds. Case studies in mathematical modeling - ecology, physiology, and cell biology. Prentice-Hall, New York.
 

Gomulkiewicz, R., and N.A. Slade. (1997) Legal standards and the forensic significance of DNA evidence. Human Biology 69(5):675-688. [pdf 3.4 mb]
 

Gomulkiewicz, R., (1998) Game theory, optimization, and quantitative genetics. Pages 283-303 in L.A. Dugatkin & H.K. Reeve, eds. Game Theory and Animal Behavior.Oxford University Press. Oxford. [pdf (7 mb)]
 

Slade, N.A., H. M. Alexander, and R. Gomulkiewicz. (1998) Alternatives to Robinson and Redford's method of assessing overharvest from incomplete demographic data. Conservation Biology12(1):148-155.
 

Beder, J.H., and R. Gomulkiewicz. (1998) Computing the selection gradient and evolutionary response of an infinite-dimensional trait. Journal of Mathematical Biology 36:299-319. Abstract.
 

Secker, J., R. Gomulkiewicz, and M.A. McPeek. (1998) Interstellar transport and local establishment dynamics of space-borne propagules. Pages 290-300 in Proceedings of SPIE: Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology. Vol. 3441. R. B. Hoover, ed.
 

Gomulkiewicz, R., R. D. Holt, and M. Barfield. (1999.) The effects of density dependence and immigration on adaptation and niche evolution in a black-hole sink environment. Theoretical Population Biology. 55:283-296. Abstract.
 

Lofaro, T. and R. Gomulkiewicz. (1999.) Adaptation versus migration in demographically unstable populations. Journal of Mathematical Biology. 38:571-584 Abstract.
 

Nuismer, S., J. N. Thompson, and R. Gomulkiewicz. (1999) Coevolutionary dynamics in coupled patches. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. 266:605-609. Abstract.
 

Hochberg, M.E., R. Gomulkiewicz, R.D. Holt, and J.N. Thompson (2000) Weak sinks could cradle mutualistic symbiosesÑstrong sources should harbour parasitic symbioses. Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 13:213-222. Abstract.
 

Gomulkiewicz, R., J. N. Thompson, R. D. Holt, S. L. Nuismer, and M. E. Hochberg. (2000.) Hot spots, cold spots, and the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution. The American Naturalist. 156:156-174. Abstract.
 

Nuismer, S. L., J. N. Thompson, and R. Gomulkiewicz. (2000) Coevolutionary clines across selection mosaics. Evolution. 54:1102-1115. Abstract.
 

Kingsolver, J., R. Gomulkiewicz, and P.A. Carter. (2001) Variation, selection, and evolution of function-valued traits.  Genetica 112/113:87-104. [pdf 228k]

Thompson, J.H., S.L. Nuismer, and R. Gomulkiewicz. (2002) Coevolution and maladaptation.  Integrative and Comparative Biology 42:381-387. Abstract.

Holt, R.D., R. Gomulkiewicz, and M. Barfield.  (2003) The phenomenology of niche evolution via quantitative traits in a black-hole sink: A mechanism for punctuated evolution? Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. B 270:215-224. [pdf 552k]

Nuismer, S.L, R. Gomulkiewicz, and M.T. Morgan. (2003) Coevolution in temporally variable environments.  The American Naturalist 162:195-204. [pdf 328k]

 

Gomulkiewicz, R., S.L. Nuismer, and J.N. Thompson. (2003) Coevolution in variable mutualisms. The American Naturalist 162:S80–S93. [pdf 324k]

Nuismer, S.L., J.N. Thompson, and R. Gomulkiewicz.  (2003) Coevolution between hosts and parasites with partially overlapping geographic ranges.  Journal of Evolutionary Biology 16:1337-1345 [pdf 184k]

 

Kingsolver, J.G., and R. Gomulkiewicz. (2003) Environmental variation and selection on performance curves. Integrative and Comparative Biology 43:470-477. [pdf 152k]

Holt, R.D., and R. Gomulkiewicz. (2004) Conservation implications of niche conservatism and evolution in heterogeneous environments. In Evolutionary Conservation Biology, eds. Ferriere R, Dieckmann U & Couvet D, pp. 244-264. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. [pdf 232k]

Holt, R.D., M. Barfield, and R. Gomulkiewicz. (2004) Temporal variation can facilitate niche evolution in harsh sink environments. The American Naturalist 164:187-200. [pdf 376k]

McPeek, M., and R. Gomulkiewicz. (2005) Assembling and depleting species richness in metacommunities: insights from ecology, population genetics, and macroevolution. In Metacommunities: spatial dynamics and ecological communities, M. Holyoak, M. A. Leibold, and R. D. Holt (eds.), pp. 355-373 University of Chicago Press.

 

Holt, R. D., M. Barfield, and R. Gomulkiewicz. (2005) Theories of niche conservatism and evolution: could exotic species be potential tests? In Species invasions: insights into ecology, evolution, and biogeography.  D. F. Sax, J. J. Stachowicz, and S. D. Gaines (eds.), pp. 259-290. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates. [pdf 188k]

Whitlock, M. and R. Gomulkiewicz. (2005) Probability of fixation in a heterogeneous environment.  Genetics 171:1407-1417.  [pdf 340k]

 

Sokurenko, Evgeni V., Richard Gomulkiewicz, and D. E. Dykhuizen. (2006) Source-sink dynamics of virulence evolution. Nature Microbiology 4:548-555. [pdf 524k]

 

Gomulkiewicz, R., and J. G. Kingsolver. (2006) A fable of four functions: function-valued approaches in evolutionary biology.  Journal of Evolutionary Biology 20:20-21. [pdf 56k]

 

Kingsolver, J.G., K. R. Massie, J.G. Shlichta, M.H. Smith, G. J. Ragland, and R. Gomulkiewicz. (2007) Relating environmental variation to selection on reaction norms:  An experimental test. The American Naturalist 169:163-174. [pdf 832k]

Gomulkiewicz, R., D. M. Drown, M. F. Dybdahl, W. Godsoe, S. L. Nuismer, K. M. Pepin, B. J. Ridenhour, C. I. Smith, and J. B. Yoder.  (2007)  Dos and don’ts of testing the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution. Heredity 98:249-258.  [pdf 264k]

Griswold, C. K., B. Logsdon, and R. Gomulkiewicz. (2007)  Neutral Evolution of Multiple Quantitative Characters: A Genealogical Approach. Genetics 176:455-466. [pdf 736k]

Rodriguez, Y., C. K. Omoto, and R. Gomulkiewicz.  (2007)  Individual and population effects of Eugregarine, Gergarina niphandrodes (Eugregarinida: Gregarinidae), on Tenebriomolitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Environmental Entomology 36 (4):681-688.  [pdf 484k]

Beder, J. H., and R. Gomulkiewicz.  (2007)  Optimizing selection for function-valued traits.  Journal of Mathematical Biology 55:861-882.  [pdf 288k]

Urban, M., M. Leibold, P. Amarasekare, C. DeMazancourt, L. De Meester, R. Gomulkiewicz, M. Hochberg, C. Klausmeier, N. Loeuille, J. Norberg, J. Pantel, S. Strauss, M. Vellend, and M. Wade.  2008.  The evolutionary ecology of metacommunities. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 23:311-317. [pdf 486k]

Griswold, C. K., R. Gomulkiewicz, and N. Heckman.  2008. Hypothesis testing in comparative and experimental studies of function-valued traits. Evolution 62:1229-1242.  [pdf 1612k]

Gomulkiewicz, R., and D. Houle. Demographic and Genetic Constraints on Evolution. The American Naturalist.  In press. [pre-print 2581k]

Other interests

Palouse Ice Rink (PIR)

Moscow Area Mountain Bike Association (MAMBA)

Palouse Roadrunners  (PRR)