Jacob S. Berv

bifrost, an R package for branch-level evolutionary inference, was released on CRAN. Package page

Published a 2026 Evolutionary Ecology paper on climate-linked morphological responses and global data priorities.

The session focused on molecular-systematic methods for integrating evolutionary history across deep time.

Received the GSA Pardee Keynote Speaker Travel Award in support of the 2025 invited keynote.

Completed the Banbury Center workshop on AI in science entrepreneurship.

Received an OpenAI for Science award supporting model-enabled research in computational evolutionary biology.

Completed the Oxford research software engineering workshop, expanding reproducible computing workflows for scientific projects.

The support backed training that links open-science software engineering and scientific entrepreneurship in biodiversity research.

The role advanced collaborative research connecting museum collections, macroevolution, and climate resilience.

The symposium highlighted AI-enabled comparative methods and cross-disciplinary collaboration in evolutionary biology.

Co-organized the CVPR 2025 Computer Vision for Science workshop across vision and life-science research communities.

Additional details: Strauch, R. J., Berv, J. S., Fraser, D., Pyenson, N. D., & Peredo, C. M. (2025). Paleobiology, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10061

Additional details: Weeks, B. C., Zhou, Z., Probst, C. M., Berv, J. S., O’Brien, B. K., Benz, B. W., Skeen, H. R., Ziebell, M., Bodt, L., & Fouhey, D. F. (2025). Scientific Data, 12, 884. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-05234-y

Additional details: Weiss, A. K., & Berv, J. S. (2025). Evolution, 79(7), 1334-1348. https://doi.org/10.1093/evolut/qpaf080

Additional details: Thomas, G. W. C., Hughes, J. J., Kumon, T., Berv, J. S., Nordgren, C. E., Lampson, M., Levine, M., Searle, J. B., & Good, J. M. (2025). Genome Biology and Evolution, evaf017. https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evaf017

The award supported an inclusive symposium on AI applications in ecology and evolution.

The workshop focused on practical strategies for data visualization and scientific communication.

Posted a new bioRxiv preprint examining variable phenotypic evolution patterns across living fossil lineages.

The talk showcased museum-scale analyses of passerine skeletal evolution.

Contributed service support and abstract-volume editing at NAPC 2024 in Ann Arbor.

The talk shared biodiversity imaging and phenomics workflows with the computer vision community.

Co-organized the CVPR 2024 Computer Vision for Science workshop across computer vision and scientific domains.

Led the spring 2024 MIDAS workshop on AI-assisted data visualization and presentation.

The seminar showed how large-scale phenotypic datasets can inform evolutionary and comparative biology.

The workshop brought together artists, researchers, and technologists to explore responsible generative AI.

The meeting supported new collaborations across marine and terrestrial biodiversity research.

The session covered practical phylogenomic approaches for integrating molecular and paleobiological evidence.

Completed Physalia training in deep learning methods for biology (virtual, October 2023).

The fellowship supported integration of AI methods with biodiversity data science at the University of Michigan.

The talk focused on bird diversification and macroevolutionary dynamics after mass extinction events.

The fellowship supported integration of machine learning, biodiversity data, and museum collections.

Contributed to the 2023-04-03 update of the CRAN Phylogenetics Task View.

The visit highlighted how macroevolutionary research benefits from integrating museum-scale datasets and comparative models.

Completed an intensive SSB workshop in phylogenetic inference and comparative methods.

The talk examined how diversification models handle hidden evolutionary processes in comparative analyses.

Additional details: Pegan, M. T., Berv, J. S., Gulson-Castillo, E. R., Kimmitt, A. A., & Winger, B. M. (2023). Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1093/evolut/qpad200

The role supported anti-bullying advocacy and researcher well-being in higher-education communities.

The seminar focused on comparative genomics and avian diversification across deep time.

The seminar emphasized museum-enabled macroevolutionary research and comparative genomic inference.

Delivered a long-format invited virtual talk at the III Meeting of Systematics, Biogeography, and Evolution.

The presentation examined rapid diversification following the end-Cretaceous event.

The effort expanded museum resources for macroevolutionary and conservation research.

The training strengthened mentorship and leadership practices in interdisciplinary research teams.

Invited seminar delivered at Cornell EEB Evo Day 2022.

Completed comparative genomics training through Physalia.

Completed Physalia workshop training in machine learning with R.

The talk highlighted macroevolutionary patterns in birds using museum collections.

Completed Physalia training in Shiny app development for research tools.

This service role supported open-source phylogenetics and comparative biology software.

The lecture explored fossil-calibrated timelines and major transitions in avian evolutionary history.

The seminar presented models of post-extinction diversification across birds, genomes, and deep-time data.

Teresa Pegan presented co-authored research on migration-associated molecular evolution at Evolution 2021.

The talk presented evidence for molecular-rate shifts associated with early post-K–Pg bird diversification.

Jonathan J. Hughes presented co-authored work on mammalian arboreality across the K-Pg boundary at ASM 2021.

Presented an invited public seminar for the Friends of the U-M Museum of Paleontology (FUMMP).

The program combined hands-on genomics activities with scientific career outreach for Michigan high school students.

Delivered K-12 outreach presentations on evolutionary biology for Ann Arbor Public Schools.

Additional details: Hughes, J. J., Berv, J. S., Chester, S. G. B., Sargis, E. J., & Field, D. J. (2021). Ecology and Evolution, 11, 14540-14554. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8114

Additional details: Berv, J. S., Campagna, L., Feo, T. J., Castro-Astor, I., Ribas, C. C., Prum, R. O., & Lovette, I. J. (2021). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 164, 107205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107205

Additional details: van Els, P., Zarza, E., Rocha Moreira, L., Gómez-Bahamón, V., Santana, A., Aleixo, A., Ribas, C. C., do Rêgo, P. S., Santos, M. P. D., Zyskowski, K., Prum, R. O., & Berv, J. S. (2021). Journal of Biogeography. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14065

Completed virtual advanced R programming training through Physalia in January 2021.

The seminar focused on integrating genomic, anatomical, and life-history evidence in bird evolution.

Completed the U-M Museum of Natural History Science Communication Certificate.

Jonathan J. Hughes presented co-authored work at SVP 2020 on mammalian arboreality and macroevolution across the K-Pg boundary.

The fellowship supported public programs translating macroevolution and biodiversity science.

The presentation explored large-scale patterns of avian diversification.

The program emphasized inclusive pedagogy and active-learning strategies in science teaching.

Completed UM’s postdoctoral short course on evidence-based college teaching in science and engineering.

Additional details: Field, D. J., Berv, J. S., Hsiang, A. Y., Lanfear, R., Landis, M. J., & Dornburg, A. (2020). In M. Pittman & X. Xu (Eds.), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 440, 159-181. https://digitallibrary.amnh.org/handle/2246/7237

The fellowship supported interdisciplinary research spanning evolution, genomics, and museum science.

Co-authored a Journal of Animal Ecology study on Leucocytozoon infection and diversity gradients.

Published the doctoral dissertation on integrating genomic, anatomical, and life-history data in bird macroevolution.

This doctoral training laid the foundation for ongoing research in macroevolution.

Served as a scientific media consultant for Netflix’s The Magic School Bus Rides Again.

Received the Simon Student Research Fund fellowship support through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Awarded an NSF PRFB in Spring 2019 (awarded and declined).

Served as graduate teaching assistant for BIOEE 1780 across four Cornell terms.

Ernst Mayr Award finalist talk at Evolution 2018 in Montpellier on avian divergence times and K–Pg dynamics.

Symposium talk at SMBE 2018 on avian divergence-time inference and K–Pg-associated body-size shifts.

Received an SMBE Young Investigator Travel Award in support of 2018 conference travel.

Named a Schmidt Science Fellows finalist (Cornell nomination) during the inaugural program cycle.

Received the OUP Publisher’s Award for Excellence in Systematic Research (SSB/Systematic Biology).

Received an SSE Travel Award supporting participation in Evolution 2018.

Co-authored a Current Biology paper linking end-Cretaceous forest collapse to early modern bird evolution.

Co-authored an Evolution paper on coevolution of morphology and courtship sounds in bee hummingbirds.

Provided scientific consulting on evolution and ornithology for The Magic School Bus Rides Again.

Published a Systematic Biology study on genomic signatures of an avian Lilliput effect across the K–Pg boundary.

Joined the founding team for Cornell’s Preview Weekend to support inclusive graduate recruitment and mentorship.

Completed advanced workshop training in evolutionary quantitative genetics at Friday Harbor Labs.

Special symposium presentation at SVP 2017 (Calgary) on post-K–Pg avian molecular evolution.

Presented White-crowned manakin phylogeography research in the Genomic Advances Symposium at OCA 2017.

Received four years of Paul P. Feeny Graduate Student Research Fund support (2014-2017).

Served in multiple Cornell EEB GSA leadership and committee roles between 2013 and 2017.

Awarded an NSF DDIG (DEB-1700786) in Spring 2017 for dissertation research.

Delivered the Larry J. King Memorial keynote on bird recovery and radiation after the end-Cretaceous extinction.

Delivered a guest lecture on phylogenetic systematics in Cornell BioEE3730.

Delivered an invited lecture at SUNY Orange on modern evolutionary biology and bird diversity.

Presented a GSA 2016 symposium talk on genomic signatures of the avian K–Pg Lilliput effect.

Delivered an invited fall seminar at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in 2016.

Presented research on post K-Pg body-size change and avian molecular clocks at NAOC 2016.

W.D. Hamilton Award finalist at Evolution 2016, presenting on post-K–Pg avian molecular-rate shifts.

Received Sigma-Xi small-grant support for dissertation research.

Presented an invited Earth Week seminar at SUNY ESF in Syracuse.

Received a second Andrew W. Mellon Student Research Grant in 2016.

Co-authored a landmark Nature paper on avian phylogeny using targeted genomic sequencing.

Received recurring Athena Fund support from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2013-2015).

Received the SSB Graduate Student Research Award in support of dissertation research.

Presented work on genomic species delimitation and biogeography at the X Neotropical Ornithological Congress.

Received NSF-SSB travel support for conference participation in 2015.

Completed Brazil fieldwork focused on manakin vocalization surveys.

Presented avian phylogeny research at Evolution 2015 in Guaruja, Brazil.

Completed workshop training in phylogenetic comparative methods at Evolution 2015.

Received an Andrew W. Mellon Student Research Grant in 2015.

Received the Charlie E. Treman, Jr. Graduate Fellowship at Cornell.

Invited Cornell EvoGroup seminar on breeding-system and dimorphism evolution in cotingas.

Co-authored a study in The Auk supporting species status for the Inaguan hummingbird.

Published a comprehensive Neotropical cotinga phylogeny and revised classification.

Invited seminar at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology on multilocus cotinga phylogeny.

Received Orenstein Fund support during doctoral research in Summer 2014.

Received the Kramer Graduate Fellowship for summer doctoral research support.

Presented Neotropical cotinga phylogeny research at Evolution 2014 in Raleigh.

Completed NESCent workshop training in next-generation sequencing and phylogenomics.

Awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (DGE-1650441) in Spring 2014.

Received the Tyson Graduate Fellowship in support of doctoral research.

Served as graduate teaching assistant for Cornell’s tropical field ecology course in Kenya.

Served as a Kenya field ecology teaching assistant during Cornell’s tropical field course.

Completed Writing 7101 training on writing pedagogy and course design.

Delivered an invited talk in Honduras on linking genetics and evolutionary trees.

Completed field-assistant research work in Honduras.

Presented Emberizoides population-genetics research at Evolution 2012 in Ottawa.

Completed field-assistant research work in Guatemala.

Received photography feature recognition in Yale Environmental News (Fall 2011).

Participated in field-assistant research work in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.

Delivered an invited Yale talk on savanna bird phylogeography and radio telemetry methods.

Presented at the 25th International Ornithological Congress in Brazil.

Presented South American savanna bird phylogeography research at Evolution 2010.

Began a Yale research technician appointment in the Prum Laboratory (2010-2013).

Received Yale’s Louis Sudler creative and performing arts award recognition.

Delivered an invited Yale symposium presentation on Amazonian phylogeography and speciation.

Presented invited work at Yale’s Davenport Mellon Forum on Amazonian phylogeography.

Received photography feature recognition in Natural History Magazine Online.

Received photography feature recognition in Yale Environmental News (Fall/Winter 2009/2010).

Received Smithsonian.com Photo of the Day recognition.

Led a biological collecting expedition in Ecuador.

Received Mellon Forum undergraduate research grant support.

Led a Suriname collecting expedition through the Yale Peabody Museum.

Delivered an invited presentation in Suriname on savanna bird population genetics.

Received the Cook Richter Scholarship in support of undergraduate research.

Received the Alan S. Tetelman Fellowship for study-abroad research support.

Received Environmental Fellowship support across two consecutive years (2008-2009).

Received the Yale Science and Engineering Association Fellowship.

Received Yale Peabody Museum summer fellowship support.

Received Yale College Dean’s fellowship support for undergraduate research.

Named finalist in Photographer’s Forum’s annual college photography contest.

Received photography feature recognition in Yale Environmental News (Winter 2009).

Won second place in Yale Globalist’s international photography contest.

Served as a field assistant at Karongwe Reserve in South Africa.

Contributed to school outreach talks on megafauna research in South Africa.

Co-authored the 2007 Phase 072 Expedition Report for Yachana Foundation and MECN.

Delivered school outreach presentations on conservation research in Ecuador.

Served as a field assistant at Yachana Nature Reserve in Ecuador.

Began a Yale School of Medicine molecular neuroscience internship (Summer 2005; additional term in 2007-2008).