T. Parsons

Large effects and the infinitesimal model

The paper examines how the assumption of similar effect sizes in the infinitesimal model affects trait distribution, finding tail exponents between 1 and 2 in human disease-related traits and suggesting non-Gaussian models require explicit genetic tracking for large-effect loci.

Estimating Diversity Through Time using Molecular Phylogenies: Old and Species-Poor Frog Families are the Remnants of a Diverse Past

This paper develops a probabilistic method to estimate species diversity over time from phylogenetic data and applies it to frogs, finding that an ancient group declined in diversity due to reduced speciation.

Critical Role of Histone Tail Entropy in Nucleosome Unwinding

This study calculates the free energy cost of nucleosome DNA unwinding and identifies an energetic barrier caused by histone tail entropy, revealing a mechanism for regulating genome function.

Pathogen evolution: slow and steady spreads the best

The paper extends life history evolution theory to account for finite population size effects on pathogen virulence evolution, showing demographic stochasticity alters classical deterministic predictions.