Nikunj Goel
nikunj410.bsky.social
Nikunj Goel
@nikunj410.bsky.social
Population demographer interested in spatial ecology and evolution. https://nikunj410.github.io/
Pinned
We present a new Bayesian methods paper to identify adaptive genetic variation in structured populations (tinyurl.com/2fxfe7pj)
This is a follow-up of our previous MME 2025 paper (tinyurl.com/2su788t7).

The paper adds two novel features to existing GEA methods
Identifying adaptive variation in spatially structured populations using low-coverage whole-genome sequencing data
Successful implementation of evolutionary management programs to rescue climatically threatened species requires identification of adaptive genetic variation. Although current genotype-environment association methods have been successful in identifying adaptive variation, they can be improved in two important aspects. First, most existing methods do not account for genotype uncertainty in widely available low-coverage whole-genome sequencing data. Researchers often restrict analysis to loci for which genotypes can be inferred reliably or call the most probable genotype, allowing the use of traditional genotype-based methods, such as BayeScEnv and Bayenv. However, discarding data and false genotype calls increases the uncertainty in estimates of genetic variation and introduces systematic biases. Second, most methods use phenomenological approaches, such as logistic regression, to partition estimated genetic variation into adaptive and non-adaptive components. Consequently, current approaches may inadvertently fail to account for evolutionary processes, such as migration-selection balance. Structured migration between climatically disparate locations can produce deviations from a smooth S-shape response curve, which can be difficult to accommodate using generalized linear regression models. To overcome these challenges, we developed a method that accounts for genotype uncertainty in sequencing data and propagates this uncertainty to inform the parameters of a model of evolution. A key feature of this evolutionary model is that it mechanistically describes how genetic variation arises from joint interactions between local adaptation, structured migration, mutation, and drift. We apply our approach to analyze multiple synthetic datasets and a real dataset of North American rosy-finches (3.7 million SNPs), a high-alpine, climatically threatened clade of bird species. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. U.S. National Science Foundation, 2222525, 1927177, 2222524, 2222526 U.S. National Science Foundation, 2138259, 2138286, 2138307, 2137603, 2138296
tinyurl.com
Reposted by Nikunj Goel
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!

bluesky-map.theo.io

I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Bluesky Map
Interactive map of 3.4 million Bluesky users, visualised by their follower pattern.
bluesky-map.theo.io
February 8, 2026 at 10:59 PM
We present a new Bayesian methods paper to identify adaptive genetic variation in structured populations (tinyurl.com/2fxfe7pj)
This is a follow-up of our previous MME 2025 paper (tinyurl.com/2su788t7).

The paper adds two novel features to existing GEA methods
Identifying adaptive variation in spatially structured populations using low-coverage whole-genome sequencing data
Successful implementation of evolutionary management programs to rescue climatically threatened species requires identification of adaptive genetic variation. Although current genotype-environment association methods have been successful in identifying adaptive variation, they can be improved in two important aspects. First, most existing methods do not account for genotype uncertainty in widely available low-coverage whole-genome sequencing data. Researchers often restrict analysis to loci for which genotypes can be inferred reliably or call the most probable genotype, allowing the use of traditional genotype-based methods, such as BayeScEnv and Bayenv. However, discarding data and false genotype calls increases the uncertainty in estimates of genetic variation and introduces systematic biases. Second, most methods use phenomenological approaches, such as logistic regression, to partition estimated genetic variation into adaptive and non-adaptive components. Consequently, current approaches may inadvertently fail to account for evolutionary processes, such as migration-selection balance. Structured migration between climatically disparate locations can produce deviations from a smooth S-shape response curve, which can be difficult to accommodate using generalized linear regression models. To overcome these challenges, we developed a method that accounts for genotype uncertainty in sequencing data and propagates this uncertainty to inform the parameters of a model of evolution. A key feature of this evolutionary model is that it mechanistically describes how genetic variation arises from joint interactions between local adaptation, structured migration, mutation, and drift. We apply our approach to analyze multiple synthetic datasets and a real dataset of North American rosy-finches (3.7 million SNPs), a high-alpine, climatically threatened clade of bird species. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. U.S. National Science Foundation, 2222525, 1927177, 2222524, 2222526 U.S. National Science Foundation, 2138259, 2138286, 2138307, 2137603, 2138296
tinyurl.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Reposted by Nikunj Goel
Like math and plant community ecology?

I am recruiting one or two new Ph.D. students to work on theory and its integration with data in the areas of forest dynamics, species coexistence, or plant community ecology more generally.

Deadlines for the EEB and Plant Biology programs are Dec. 1.
Ecology, Evolution and Behavior
The Ecology, Evolution and Behavior graduate program at The University of Texas at Austin is top-10 ranked.
integrativebio.utexas.edu
November 17, 2025 at 8:37 PM
My first methods paper from postdoc—How to identify genomic adaptation to climate using a mechanistic model of evolution. @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social

besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Identifying genomic adaptation to local climate using a mechanistic evolutionary model
Identifying genomic adaptation is key to understanding species' evolutionary responses to environmental changes. However, current methods to identify adaptive variation have two major limitations....
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
August 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
First post
I am happy to share our new paper on theoretical and statistical models for understanding the spread of human-mediated invasive species. @esajournals.bsky.social

esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
A mechanistic statistical approach to infer invasion characteristics of human‐dispersed species with complex life cycle
The rising introduction of invasive species through trade networks threatens biodiversity and ecosystem services. Yet, we have a limited understanding of how transportation networks determine spatiot...
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
April 9, 2025 at 4:40 AM