Michael Nachman

Research Bio

Michael Nachman is a population geneticist whose research explores how evolutionary forces—such as natural selection, genetic drift, and mutation—shape genomic variation in natural populations. His work uses both model and non-model organisms to investigate speciation, adaptation, and the genetic basis of complex traits.

Nachman is widely recognized for his studies of rodent populations, which have illuminated how genomes evolve in response to ecological pressures. His work has provided key insights into reproductive isolation, pigmentation, and the evolution of sex chromosomes.

An expert in evolutionary genetics and comparative genomics, Nachman is a professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley and Director of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has served on advisory boards for major genomic initiatives.

Research Expertise and Interest

population genetics, evolution, genomics, mammalian evolution

In the News

Eastern and Western house mice took parallel evolutionary paths

The European house mouse has invaded nearly every corner of the Americas since it was introduced by colonizers a few hundred years ago, and now lives practically everywhere humans store their food. Yet in that relatively short time span — 400 to 600 mouse generations — populations on the East and West Coasts have changed their body size and nest building behavior in nearly identical ways to adapt to similar environmental conditions, according to a new study by biologists at the University of California, Berkeley.

Human faces are so variable because we evolved to look unique

Why are human faces so variable compared to other animals? Berkeley biologists Michael Nachman & Michael Sheehan analyzed human faces and the genes that code for them and found a variability that could only be explained by selection for uniqueness, probably because of the importance of social interactions in human relationships and the need for all of us to be recognizable.

Teaching

Courses taught during the three most recent terms
2026 Spring

  • General Biology Lecture and Laboratory  [BIOLOGY 1B]  

  • Directed Undergraduate Research  [INTEGBI 191]  

  • Supervised Internship  [INTEGBI 197]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [INTEGBI 199]  

  • Seminar in Evolutionary Biology of the Vertebrates  [INTEGBI 264]  

  • Special Study for Graduate Students  [INTEGBI 296]  

  • Directed Field Studies  [INTEGBI 297]  

  • Special Study in Integrative Biology  [INTEGBI 298]  

  • Graduate Research  [INTEGBI 299]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [INTEGBI 99]  

  • Thesis Course  [INTEGBI H196A]  

  • Thesis Course  [INTEGBI H196B]  

  • Supervised Research: Biological Sciences  [UGIS 192C]  

2025 Fall

  • Directed Undergraduate Research  [INTEGBI 191]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [INTEGBI 199]  

  • Seminar in Evolutionary Biology of the Vertebrates  [INTEGBI 264]  

  • Directed Field Studies  [INTEGBI 297]  

  • Special Study in Integrative Biology  [INTEGBI 298]  

  • Graduate Research  [INTEGBI 299]  

  • Thesis Course  [INTEGBI H196A]  

  • Thesis Course  [INTEGBI H196B]  

  • Supervised Research: Biological Sciences  [UGIS 192C]  

2025 Spring

  • Directed Undergraduate Research  [INTEGBI 191]  

  • Supervised Internship  [INTEGBI 197]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [INTEGBI 199]  

  • Seminar in Evolutionary Biology of the Vertebrates  [INTEGBI 264]  

  • Research Seminar  [INTEGBI 290]  

  • Special Study for Graduate Students  [INTEGBI 296]  

  • Directed Field Studies  [INTEGBI 297]  

  • Special Study in Integrative Biology  [INTEGBI 298]  

  • Graduate Research  [INTEGBI 299]  

  • Thesis Course  [INTEGBI H196A]  

  • Thesis Course  [INTEGBI H196B]