Michael Braun

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Adjunct Professor (Smithsonian Laboratory of Molecular Systematics)

Contact
Email: braunm@si.edu
Office Phone: 301.238.1113
Fax: 301.238.3059
URL: http://blog.umd.edu/braunlab/

Graduate Program Affiliations
  • BISI - BISI-Behavior, Ecology, Evolution, & Systematics (BEES)


Research Interests
Our research focuses on the use of molecular genetic data to enhance our understanding of the origin and maintenance of biological diversity. We often use birds as a model system, but have worked extensively on other organisms. Our current research falls in four areas:
I. Hybrid zones and speciation

II. Molecular phylogenetics

III. Genetic structure and diversity of natural populations

IV. Neotropical biogeography

See lab website for further details.


Recent Publications
  • S.R. Reynolds, J.A.C. Uy, G.L. Patricelli, S.W. Coleman, M.J. Braun, and G. Borgia.  Tests of the kin selection model of mate choice and inbreeeding avoidance in satin bowerbirds.  Behavioral Ecology (00): 1-10. 2014     
  • T.L. Parchman, Z. Gompert, M. J. Braun, R. T. Brumfield, D. B. McDonald, J. A. C. Uy, G. Zhang, E. D. Jarvis, B. A. Schlinger and C. A. Buerkle. The genomic consequences of adaptive divergence and reproductive isolation between species of manakins. Molecular Ecology (22); 3304-3317. 2013    
  • Coyle BJ., Braun MJ., Rodríguez-Clark, KM., and L. Ovalle. Recovering the Endangered Red Siskin, Sporagra (Carduelis) cucullata. Journal of the National Finch and Softbill Society. 30 (4). 2013    
  • Brian S. Davidson, Gene D. Sattler, Sara Via and Michael J. Braun. Reproductive isolation and cryptic introgression in a sky island enclave of Appalachian birds. Ecology and Evolution 3 (8): 2485-2496. 2013    
  • Tamaki Yuri, Rebecca T. Kimball, John Harshman, Rauri C. K. Bowie, Michael J. Braun, Jena L. Chojnowski, Kin-Lan Han, Shannon J. Hackett, Christopher J. Huddleston, William S. Moore, Sushma Reddy, Frederick H. Sheldon, David W. Steadman, Christopher C. Witt, and Edward L. Braun. Parsimony and Model-based analyses of indels in avian nuclear genes reveal congruent and incongruent phylogenetic signals. Biology (2): 419-444. 2013    
  • Kingston S.E., Jernigan R.W., Fagan W.F., Braun D., Braun M.J. Genomic variation in cline shape across  a hybrid zone. Ecology and Evolution 10, 10.1002/ece1003.1375. 2012
  • Rodríguez-Clark, K. M., J. E Maldonado, D. Ascanio, E. Gamero, L.Ovalle, J. Pérez-Emán, and M.J. Braun. Using genetics to understand and conserve the Red Siskin (Carduelis cucullata). Journal of the National Finch and Softbill Society 28 (4): 25-30. 2011
  • Braun, E. L., R. T. Kimball, K.-L. Han, N. R. Iuhasz, A. J. Bonilla, J.L. Chojnowski, J. V. Smith, R. C. K Bowie, M. J. Braun, S.J. Hackett, J.Harshman, C. J. Huddleston, B. D. Marks, K. J. Miglia, W. S. Moore, S. Reddy, F.H. Sheldon, C. C. Witt, T. Yuri. Homoplastic microinversions and the avian treeof life. BMC Evolutionary Biology 11:141. 2011
  • Han K. L., E. L. Braun, R. T. Kimball, S. Reddy, R. C. K. Bowie, M. J. Braun, J. L. Chojnowski, S. J. Hackett, J. Harshman, C. J. Huddleston, B. D. Marks, K. J. Miglia, W. S. Moore, F. H. Sheldon, D. W. Steadman, C. C. Witt, and T. Yuri. Are Transposable Element Insertions Homoplasy Free? An Examinatio Using the Avian Tree of Life. Systematic Biology 60(3): 375-86. 2010
  • Han, K.-L., M. B. Robbins and M. J. Braun. A multi-gene estimate of phylogeny in the nightjars and nighthawks (Caprimulgidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 55: 443-453. 2010
  • Braun, M. J., and C. J. Huddleston. Response to Mayr and Manegold. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 55: 345-346. 2010
  • Olson, J. R., S. J. Cooper, D. L. Swanson, M. J. Braun, and J. B. Williams. The relationship of metabolic performance and distribution in Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 83: 263-275.


Education
Ph.D., Louisiana State University Medical Center, 1983.
Molecular genetic approaches to evolutionary biology; speciation; sexual selection; phylogenetics; hybrid zones.