David Hillis

David Hillis is a prominent American evolutionary biologist and geneticist known for his work in understanding the tree of life—how different species are related through evolution. He has developed methods to analyze DNA data to reconstruct evolutionary histories, helping scientists understand when and how species diverged. His research often combines genetic information with fossil evidence to clarify the evolutionary relationships among animals, including vertebrates like mammals, birds, and reptiles. Hillis's work enhances our understanding of biodiversity and the processes that drive the evolution of all living organisms.