
Assistant Professor • Publications
Institute for Behavioral Genetics • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Institute for Behavioral Genetics
University of Colorado Boulder
447 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0447
Research Interests:
Methods for estimating heritability and investigating genomic architecture of complex traits. Recent work focuses on the heritability and genetic architecture of psychiatric disorders.
Active Grants:
- NIH/NIA 1 R01 AG046938-06 (PI: Reynolds) Colorado Adoption/Twin Study of Lifespan Behavioral Development & Cognitive Aging (CATSLife2). Role: Co-Investigator
- NIH/NIDA 1 R01 DA044283-01 (PI: Vrieze) Deep sequencing, phenotyping, and imputation in large-scale biobanks: A novel and cost-effective framework to identify rare mutations associated with addiction. Role: Co-Investigator
- NIH/NIMH 5 R01 MH100141-06 (PI: Keller) Estimating the genetic and environmental architecture of psychiatric disorders. Role: Co-Investigator
Additional Resources:
Current Lab

Christopher Arehart
Predoctoral Trainee
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Maizy Brasher
Bachelor's-Accelerated Master's student
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Travis Mize
Predoctoral Trainee
Institute for Behavioral Genetics
Former Trainees
Scott Funkhouser
Postdoctoral trainee, 2019-2021
Publications
No Support for Historical Candidate Gene or Candidate Gene-by-Interaction Hypotheses for Major Depression Across Multiple Large Samples
CU Boulder Authors:
Keller, Matthew C; Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Border R; Johnson EC; Evans LM; Smolen A; Berley N; Sullivan PF; Keller MC
Published in: American Journal of PsychiatryPublication Date: 2019-05-01
Type: Journal Article
CARDIOMETABOLIC AND SLEEP PATHWAYS TO COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING AT MIDLIFE
CU Boulder Authors:
Hewitt, John K; Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Whitehurst LN; Smolen A; Evans LM; De Fries JC; Hewitt JK; Wadsworth SJ; Reynolds CA
Published in: Psychosomatic MedicinePublication Date: 2019-03-06
Type: Conference Proceeding
Narrow-sense heritability estimation of complex traits using identity-by-descent information
All Authors:
Published in: HeredityEvans LM; Tahmasbi R; Jones M; Vrieze S; Abecasis GR; Das S; Bjelland DW; de Candia TR; Yang J; Goddard ME...
- Evans LM
- Tahmasbi R
- Jones M
- Vrieze S
- Abecasis GR
- Das S
- Bjelland DW
- de Candia TR
- Yang J
- Goddard ME
Publication Date: 2018-12-01
Type: Journal Article
Characterization of a large sex determination region in Salix purpurea L. (Salicaceae)
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Published in: Molecular Genetics and Genomics: an international journalZhou R; Macaya-Sanz D; Rodgers-Melnick E; Carlson CH; Gouker FE; Evans LM; Schmutz J; Jenkins JW; Yan J; Tuskan GA...
- Zhou R
- Macaya-Sanz D
- Rodgers-Melnick E
- Carlson CH
- Gouker FE
- Evans LM
- Schmutz J
- Jenkins JW
- Yan J
- Tuskan GA
Publication Date: 2018-12-01
Type: Journal Article
Adaptive introgression and maintenance of a trispecies hybrid complex in range-edge populations of Populus
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Chhatre VE; Evans LM; DiFazio SP; Keller SR
Published in: Molecular EcologyPublication Date: 2018-12-01
Type: Journal Article
Relationships between estimated autozygosity and complex traits in the UK Biobank
CU Boulder Authors:
Keller, Matthew C; Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Johnson EC; Evans LM; Keller MC
Published in: PLoS GeneticsPublication Date: 2018-07-01
Type: Journal Article
A 5-Enolpyruvylshikimate 3-Phosphate Synthase Functions as a Transcriptional Repressor in Populus
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Published in: The Plant CellXie M; Muchero W; Bryan AC; Yee K; Guo H-B; Zhang J; Tschaplinski TJ; Singan VR; Lindquist E; Payyavula RS...
- Xie M
- Muchero W
- Bryan AC
- Yee K
- Guo H-B
- Zhang J
- Tschaplinski TJ
- Singan VR
- Lindquist E
- Payyavula RS
Publication Date: 2018-07-01
Type: Journal Article
Comparison of methods that use whole genome data to estimate the heritability and genetic architecture of complex traits
CU Boulder Authors:
Keller, Matthew C; Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Published in: Nature GeneticsEvans LM; Tahmasbi R; Vrieze SI; Abecasis GR; Das S; Gazal S; Bjelland DW; de Candia TR; Goddard ME; Neale BM...
- Evans LM
- Tahmasbi R
- Vrieze SI
- Abecasis GR
- Das S
- Gazal S
- Bjelland DW
- de Candia TR
- Goddard ME
- Neale BM
Publication Date: 2018-05-01
Type: Journal Article
Using partitioned heritability methods to explore genetic architecture
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.; Keller, Matthew C
All Authors:
Evans LM; Keller MC
Published in: Nature Reviews GeneticsPublication Date: 2018-03-01
Type: Journal Article
Conserving threatened riparian ecosystems in the American West: Precipitation gradients and river networks drive genetic connectivity and diversity in a foundation riparian tree (Populus angustifolia)
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Bothwell HM; Cushman SA; Woolbright SA; Hersch-Green EI; Evans LM; Whitham TG; Allan GJ
Published in: Molecular EcologyPublication Date: 2017-10-01
Type: Journal Article
Phenotypic and Genetic Relationship Between BMI and Drinking in a Sample of UK Adults
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Wills AG; Evans LM; Hopfer C
Published in: Behavior Genetics: an international journal devoted to research in the inheritance of behavior in animals and manPublication Date: 2017-05-01
Type: Journal Article
Bud phenology and growth are subject to divergent selection across a latitudinal gradient in Populus angustifolia and impact adaptation across the distributional range and associated arthropods
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Evans LM; Kaluthota S; Pearce DW; Allan GJ; Floate K; Rood SB; Whitham TG
Published in: Ecology and EvolutionPublication Date: 2016-07-01
Type: Journal Article
High-resolution genetic mapping of allelic variants associated with cell wall chemistry in Populus
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Muchero W; Guo J; DiFazio SP; Chen J-G; Ranjan P; Slavov GT; Gunter LE; Jawdy S; Bryan AC; Sykes R
Published in: BMC GenomicsPublication Date: 2015-12-01
Type: Journal Article
Higher photosynthetic capacity from higher latitude: foliar characteristics and gas exchange of southern, central and northern populations ofPopulus angustifolia
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Kaluthota S; Pearce DW; Evans LM; Letts MG; Whitham TG; Rood SB
Published in: Tree Physiology: an international botanical journalPublication Date: 2015-09-01
Type: Journal Article
Geographical barriers and climate influence demographic history in narrowleaf cottonwoods
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Evans LM; Allan GJ; DiFazio SP; Slavov GT; Wilder JA; Floate KD; Rood SB; Whitham TG
Published in: HeredityPublication Date: 2015-04-01
Type: Journal Article
Vernalization and the chilling requirement to exit bud dormancy: shared or separate regulation?
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Brunner AM; Evans LM; Hsu C-Y; Sheng X
Published in: Frontiers in Plant SciencePublication Date: 2014-12-17
Type: Journal Article
Population genomics of Populus trichocarpa identifies signatures of selection and adaptive trait associations
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Published in: Nature GeneticsEvans LM; Slavov GT; Rodgers-Melnick E; Martin J; Ranjan P; Muchero W; Brunner AM; Schackwitz W; Gunter L; Chen J-G...
- Evans LM
- Slavov GT
- Rodgers-Melnick E
- Martin J
- Ranjan P
- Muchero W
- Brunner AM
- Schackwitz W
- Gunter L
- Chen J-G
Publication Date: 2014-10-01
Type: Journal Article
Landscape genetic connectivity in a riparian foundation tree is jointly driven by climatic gradients and river networks
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Cushman SA; Max T; Meneses N; Evans LM; Ferrier S; Honchak B; Whitham TG; Allan GJ
Published in: Ecological ApplicationsPublication Date: 2014-07-01
Type: Journal Article
The Proportion of Three Foundation Plant Species and Their Genotypes Influence an Arthropod Community: Restoration Implications for the Endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Bangert R; Ferrier SM; Evans L; Kennedy K; Grady KC; Hersch-Green E; Allan GJ; Whitham TG
Published in: Restoration EcologyPublication Date: 2013-07-01
Type: Journal Article
Herbivore host-associated genetic differentiation depends on the scale of plant genetic variation examined
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Evans LM; Allan GJ; Meneses N; Max TL; Whitham TG
Published in: Evolutionary EcologyPublication Date: 2013-01-01
Type: Journal Article
Populus hybrid hosts drive divergence in the herbivorous mite, Aceria parapopuli: implications for conservation of plant hybrid zones as essential habitat
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Evans LM; Allan GJ; Whitham TG
Published in: Conservation GeneticsPublication Date: 2012-12-01
Type: Journal Article
Community specificity: life and afterlife effects of genes
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Whitham TG; Gehring CA; Lamit LJ; Wojtowicz T; Evans LM; Keith AR; Smith DS
Published in: Trends in Plant SciencePublication Date: 2012-05-01
Type: Journal Article
The relative influences of host plant genotype and yearly abiotic variability in determining herbivore abundance
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Evans LM; Clark JS; Whipple AV; Whitham TG
Published in: OecologiaPublication Date: 2012-02-01
Type: Journal Article
Temperature Alters the Relative Abundance and Population Growth Rates of Species Within theDendroctonus frontalis(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Community
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Evans LM; Hofstetter RW; Ayres MP; Klepzig KD
Published in: Environmental EntomologyPublication Date: 2011-08-01
Type: Journal Article
A community and ecosystem genetics approach to conservation biology and management.
CU Boulder Authors:
Evans, Luke M.
All Authors:
Publication Date: 2010-01-01Whitham TG; Gehring CA; EVANS LM; LeRoy CJ; Bangert RK; Schweitzer JA; Allan GJ; Barbour RC; Fischer DG; Potts BM...
- Whitham TG
- Gehring CA
- EVANS LM
- LeRoy CJ
- Bangert RK
- Schweitzer JA
- Allan GJ
- Barbour RC
- Fischer DG
- Potts BM
Type: Chapter
Pages
Recruiting
The Evans lab is recruiting new graduate students. Please see the Evans Lab page for more information.
Contact Luke Evans directly about postdoctoral trainee positions.