John Abramyan, Ph.D.

• Ph.D., University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia
• B.S., Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis

I would describe myself as a developmental biologist with an interest in understanding evolution at all levels of biological complexity. I use embryology, molecular biology and genomics to study the embryonic development of the vertebrate face. My research program has two main directions: the development of the mouth and nose; and the molecular evolution of tooth-specific genes. My Ph.D. thesis focused on the molecular mechanisms of sex-determination in cane toads. The diversity in my academic background strongly influences the research questions I pursue today.

Research Interests: Developmental biology (evolutionary developmental biology "evo–devo" ), gene and genome evolution

• Chami, B., Bates, B., Shaheen, L., & Abramyan, J. (2023). Characterization of the developing axolotl nasal cavity supports multiple evolution of the vertebrate choana. The International Journal of Developmental Biology, 67(2), 57-63.
• Shaheen, J., Mudd, A. B., Diekwisch, T. G., & Abramyan, J. (2021). Pseudogenized amelogenin reveals early tooth loss in true toads (Anura: Bufonidae). Integrative and comparative biology, 61(5), 1933-1945.
• Albawaneh, Z., Ali, R., & Abramyan, J. (2021). Novel insights into the development of the avian nasal cavity. The Anatomical Record, 304(2), 247-257.
• Jomaa, J., Martínez-Vargas, J., Essaili, S., Haider, N., & Abramyan, J. (2020). Disconnect between the developing eye and craniofacial prominences in the avian embryo. Mechanisms of development, 161, 103596.