UFGI faculty profile – edward louis braun

Name: Edward Louis Braun

Born: Rochester , New York

Position at UF: Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology

Job before this one: Post-doctoral fellow in the Plant Biotechnology Center at the Ohio State University .

Current research interest, in layman’s terms: I am interested in the ways genomes change over evolutionary time and ways to model this change using mathematics. Since I am interested in patterns of genomic change rather than specific organisms, the organisms that I have examined have varied quite a bit. Currently, I am a part of a consortium called “Early Bird” using genetic data to examine avian evolution.

I have begun a project to examine the Alligator genome (the Gator Genome project).

Prior Research: I have worked on the regulation of cellular growth in budding yeast, explored the genome of a bread mold called Neurospora crassa, examined genomic change in the fungi, and worked on changes in a group of genetic regulators called MYB genes in the plants.

Education: B.S. in 1991 and Ph.D. in 1996 from the University of New Mexico .

Family: Married to Rebecca Kimball, who is also a member of the UF Zoology faculty.

When I'm not at work, I am: Either playing with our pets – two dogs (Louis and Snezka) and two cats (Betty and Pete) – or watching “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

The best thing that I've done lately that no one knows about: I gave up Froot Loops, because any food that spells fruit with two “o’s” can’t be good for you.

Last non-work related book: “What Went Wrong?: The Clash between Islam and Modernity in the Middle East” by Bernard Lewis.

Last movie in a theater and your thoughts: Bend it like Beckham, it will probably be the last movie that doesn’t feature explosions in a starring role until the end of summer.

Something always in your refrigerator: Pepsi (unfortunately) and some sort of salad (because eating salad compensates for drinking Pepsi).

People would be surprised to know that: I once had an argument with a friend over which one of us was more like Beavis and which one was more like Butt-Head (but I’m not saying whether I was Beavis or Butt-Head).

Contact me at: ebraun@zoo.ufl.edu