Sarah (Sally) Otto

Professor

Understanding how evolution has led to the remarkable diversity of life is the key motivating force behind my research. Mathematical models allow us to determine which evolutionary transitions are plausible, which are probable, and which are impossible. In particular, we have been using models to investigate the evolution of:

  • Genomic architectures - How do recombination rates/mutation rates evolve? How do chromosomes evolve?
  • Ploidy levels - When are haploid or diploid life cycles favored by evolution?
  • Mating systems - How does the mode of reproduction evolve?

In addition to mathematical modeling, my research group carries out experimental evolution with yeast, as well as comparative data analyses, resulting in over 180 publications and a book.

Current work increasingly focuses on the extent to which organisms can adapt to a changing world and why they might fail to do so.

I serve as co-liaison of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee for Canada and am Director of the Liber Ero Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program, which supports exceptional post-doctoral researchers doing research on pressing conservation issues for Canada.

Fellow

2024
/
For Research

The Royal Society UK

Lifetime Achievement Award

2023
/
For Research

Society for the Study of Evolution

Killam Prize in Natural Sciences

2023
/
For Research

The Darwin-Wallace medal

2021
/
For Research

The Linnean Society of London

University Killam Professorship

2016
/
For Research

A University Killam Professorship is the highest honour UBC can confer on a faculty member and recognizes exceptional teachers and researchers who are leaders in their fields.

Fellow

2016
/
For Research

American Academy of Arts and Sciences, USA

Weldon Prize

2016
/
For Research

Oxford University

Sewall Wright Award

2015
/
For Research

 American Society of Naturalists

Fellow

2013
/
For Research

National Academy of Sciences, USA

MacArthur Fellowship

2011
/
For Research

The MacArthur Fellows Program awards unrestricted fellowships to talented individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction. There are three criteria for selection of Fellows: exceptional creativity, promise for important future advances based on a track record of significant accomplishment, and potential for the fellowship to facilitate subsequent creative work