Darren Irwin, University of British Columbia

Research

Read how they describe their research on their University of British Columbia profile.

Latest papers

Evidence for ancient selective sweeps followed by differentiation among three species of Sphyrapicus sapsuckers.
Journal of evolutionary biology · 2025 · senior author
The Distribution and Dispersal of Large Haploblocks in a Superspecies.
Molecular ecology · 2025 · first author
Biochemical and Genomic Underpinnings of Carotenoid Colour Variation Across a Hybrid Zone Between South Asian Flameback Woodpeckers.
Molecular ecology · 2025 · senior author

All 13 publications

Latest funding

Investigating the dual nature of hybrid zones: integrating adaptive introgression and low hybrid fitness into one theory
NSERC · 2023 · Principal investigator
$168,000
Evolution of the causes of speciation: comparative analysis of genomic variation and the genetic basis of traits responsible for diversification
NSERC · 2017 · Principal investigator
$432,000
Evolution of the causes of speciation: comparative analysis of genomic variation and the genetic basis of traits responsible for diversification
NSERC · 2017 · Principal investigator
$120,000

All 9 grants and awards

13 publications.

01

Evidence for ancient selective sweeps followed by differentiation among three species of Sphyrapicus sapsuckers.

Natola L, Irwin D

Journal of evolutionary biology2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1093/jeb/voaf096 PMID: 40796331

02

The Distribution and Dispersal of Large Haploblocks in a Superspecies.

Irwin D, Bensch S, Charlebois C, David G, Geraldes A, Gupta SK, Harr B, Holt P, Irwin JH, Ivanitskii VV, Marova IM, Niu Y, Seneviratne S, Singh A, Wu Y, Zhang S, Price TD

Molecular ecology2025First author

DOI: 10.1111/mec.17731 PMID: 40091860

03

Biochemical and Genomic Underpinnings of Carotenoid Colour Variation Across a Hybrid Zone Between South Asian Flameback Woodpeckers.

Ranasinghe RW, Hudon J, Seneviratne SS, Irwin D

Molecular ecology2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1111/mec.70084 PMID: 40827595

04

Cryptic Hybridization Dynamics in a Three-Way Hybrid Zone of Dinopium Flamebacks on a Tropical Island.

Ranasinghe RW, Seneviratne SS, Irwin D

Ecology and evolution2024Senior author

DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70716 PMID: 39717648

05

A sex chromosome polymorphism maintains divergent plumage phenotypes between extensively hybridizing yellowhammers (Emberiza citrinella) and pine buntings (E. leucocephalos).

Nikelski E, Rubtsov AS, Irwin D

Molecular ecology2024Senior author

DOI: 10.1111/mec.17526 PMID: 39258972

06

Pronounced differentiation on the Z chromosome and parts of the autosomes in crowned sparrows contrasts with mitochondrial paraphyly: implications for speciation.

McCallum Q, Askelson K, Fogarty FF, Natola L, Nikelski E, Huang A, Irwin D

Journal of evolutionary biology2024Senior author

DOI: 10.1093/jeb/voae004 PMID: 38305563

07

Genomic divergence and introgression between cryptic species of a widespread North American songbird.

Askelson KK, Spellman GM, Irwin D

Molecular ecology2023Senior author

DOI: 10.1111/mec.17169 PMID: 37916530

08

Geographic variability of hybridization between red-breasted and red-naped sapsuckers.

Natola L, Billerman SM, Carling MD, Seneviratne SS, Irwin D

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution2023Senior author

DOI: 10.1093/evolut/qpac037 PMID: 36626818

09

High heterogeneity in genomic differentiation between phenotypically divergent songbirds: a test of mitonuclear co-introgression.

Nikelski E, Rubtsov AS, Irwin D

Heredity2023Senior author

DOI: 10.1038/s41437-022-00580-8 PMID: 36463372

10

Population genomics of an emergent tri-species hybrid zone.

Natola L, Seneviratne SS, Irwin D

Molecular ecology2022Senior author

DOI: 10.1111/mec.16650 PMID: 35951007

Investigating the dual nature of hybrid zones: integrating adaptive introgression and low hybrid fitness into one theory

Principal investigatorNSERC2023Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Irwin, Darren

Keywords: speciation; hybridization; genomics; computer simulation; adaptive introgression; natural selection; birds; biogeography; assortative mating; centromere

$168,000

Evolution of the causes of speciation: comparative analysis of genomic variation and the genetic basis of traits responsible for diversification

Principal investigatorNSERC2017Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Irwin, Darren

$432,000

Evolution of the causes of speciation: comparative analysis of genomic variation and the genetic basis of traits responsible for diversification

Principal investigatorNSERC2017Discovery Grants Program - Accelerator Supplements

Principal investigators: Irwin, Darren

$120,000

Comparative genomic analysis of hybridization and speciation: uncovering genes and traits responsible for diversification

Principal investigatorNSERC2012Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Irwin, Darren

$205,000

Testing mechanisms of speciation and hybridization in terrestrial vertebrates

Principal investigatorNSERC2010Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Irwin, Darren

$50,000

Ultracold freezers for molecular ecology and evolution

Principal investigatorNSERC2010Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Principal investigators: Irwin, Darren

$13,039

Estuary management for migratory birds and sustainable development

Co-investigatorNSERC2007Strategic Projects Supplemental Competition

Principal investigators: Lank, David

$199,904

Intraspecific variation and speciation in passerine birds

Principal investigatorNSERC2005Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Irwin, Darren

$144,000

Ultracold freezers for collaborative use

Co-investigatorNSERC2005Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Principal investigators: Whitlock, Michael

$47,148

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Frequent collaborators

Julie Lee-Yaw

Biological Sciences

1 shared papers, latest 2021

Write to this professor

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Applying for

Paper to mentionMention their NSERC grant from 2023

Subject: Prospective PhD student Dear Professor Irwin, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Evidence for ancient selective sweeps followed by differentiation among three species of Sphyrapicus sapsuckers." (2025), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your NSERC-funded project "Investigating the dual nature of hybrid zones: integrating adaptive introgression and low hybrid fitness into one theory" (2023), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]