Sonia Singhal

Sonia Singhal
Sonia in front of Saint Stephen's Basilica in Budapest

I find experimental evolution—watching viruses and bacteria evolve in real-time—to be an exciting way of exploring large questions about evolution. My pet topic involves the evolution and advantages of genetic robustness, the ability of an organism to maintain its phenotype in spite of mutations. (In the opposite case, genetic non-robustness, mutations will have a significant effect on phenotype.) Using a bacterial virus, I am examining a protein-level mechanism for genetic robustness that relates to how well the protein can withstand heat stress.

Outside the lab, I am learning how to convey scientific topics to a general audience. I have given a public talk on experimental evolution at Seattle Town Hall through UW Science Now and Engage-Sciences and an ignite talk through the UW Research Commons Scholars' Studio. I am also working in conjunction with the Pacific Science Center to develop tours and hands-on activities for the museum that will teach visitors about the process of evolution.

Read more about my work:

My Science:

Exploding Bacteria

Going Viral

99% Perspiration...

Racing the Tide

Other Science:

Beating Pathogens at Their Own Game

Less than the Sum of Its Parts: Negative Epistasis in Bacterial Swarming (with Katrina van Raay)

When Herd Immunity Doesn't Work

Outreach:

Explain It to Me like I'm a Four-Year-Old

Other:

Opinion: The Poetry of Scientific Experiments

Book review: Blindsight

Publications through The Triple Helix:

Creative writing: "At the ends of the earth"

Contact

Email
singhal [snail] uw [period] edu -> mailto:singhal [snail] uw [period] edu
Office
424 Kincaid Hall