My research revolves around the central theme of modern biology - evolution. To be specific work in my laboratory involves the analysis and manipulation of genomic DNA to answer questions about how evolution works at the molecular level, how organisms are related to one another, how we can use information from the genome to investigate population dynamics, and how we can use information from DNA for forensic identification. 

Active Projects:

1.  Detecting recently active mobile element families in various taxa including flies, crocodilians, and primates.

2. Applying SINE analysis to practical questions of forensic identification; crocodilian genomics, population biology, and

phylogenetics; and conservation genetics in primates.

3. Development of new methods to rapidly ascertain polymorphic SINE loci in unexplored genomes.

Dr. Ray's Home Page: http://www.as.wvu.edu/~dray