You have found the Aaron Shafer’s research group at Trent University, Ontario, Canada. We are affiliated with the Forensic Science, Environmental Life Sciences, and Applied Modelling and Quantitative Methods programs. We use genomic tools to study organisms in their natural environment and our aim is to learn about population processes and histories in hopes of informing conservation and management initiatives. I invite interested students to Join The Lab. 

Wildlife

My research is directed at species in their natural environments. Mammals - ranging from small to large - have been the focal group, but that is ever evolving. Projects typically rely on partnerships with various agencies.

Applied

The overarching goal is to develop the tools and datasets that can help better manage and conserve biodiversity. I am increasingly interested in the legal and policy applications of genomic data. 

Genomics

Genomic data - long stretches of DNA and 10s of 1000s of polymorphic sites or SNPs - form the foundation of the research. We also explore the applicability of different population genomic analyses using simulated data.