Utah Valley University · Orem, UT

Using insects to understand
how genomes evolve

We investigate why genomes vary so dramatically across the tree of life — in size, organization, and sex chromosome structure — using insects as our primary model system.

Research Interests Join the Lab
Insects as model organisms Undergraduate-driven research Flow cytometry service available
Hjelmen Lab research
Undergraduate Research Central to everything we do

The Hjelmen Lab

Evolution, Genomes & Insects

About Dr. Hjelmen

Genomes vary enormously across the tree of life — not just in which genes they carry, but in the total amount of DNA, chromosomal organization, and chromatin structure. Some grasshoppers carry 7× more DNA than humans. We want to know why. Using comparative phylogenetic approaches, flow cytometry, and whole genome sequencing, active research directions include:

Genome Size Across Species Within-Species Variation Underreplication & Heterochromatin Sex Chromosome Evolution Forensic Entomology
28+Publications
20+Students Mentored
5Research Areas
2021Founded at UVU

Lab News

2026 Publication
New paper in Genome Biology and Evolution

Population Structure of the Jewel Scarab Chrysina gloriosa

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2026 Alumni
Lab Graduations

Cyrus and Bailey graduate in Spring 2026

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2026 Awards
Lab Awards

Cyrus and Bailey win Outstanding Student Awards from the College of Science

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2026 Publication
New paper in American Journal of Botany

Phylotranscriptomics and genome size evolution in Leucaena — paleotetraploid stability and diploidization effects.

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Explore the Lab

Research

Five active programs spanning comparative genomics, sex chromosome biology, underreplication, and forensic entomology.

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The Team

Current undergraduate researchers and alumni who have gone on to PhD programs and careers in science.

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Teaching

Courses in bioinformatics, evolution, genomics, entomology, and ethics — with schedules and syllabi available for each.

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Genome Size Estimations

Flow cytometry-based genome size estimation service for insect samples, open to external collaborators.

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Recent Publications

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2026
Population Structure of the Jewel Scarab Chrysina gloriosa

Sylvester, Hjelmen et al. · Genome Biology and Evolution

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2026
Phylotranscriptomics and genome size evolution in Leucaena (Fabaceae): Paleotetraploid genomic stability overshadows diploidization and environmental effects

Abair, Egan, Hjelmen et al. · American Journal of Botany

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2025
Dscam1 evolution and its relationship to sociality: hymenopteran Dscam1 exhibits accelerated evolution in variable exon regions

Motte & Hjelmen · Insect Systematics and Diversity

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2025
Distinct temporal trajectories of bacterial and fungal networks during agricultural rewilding

Zahn, Hjelmen & Wainwright · Science of the Total Environment

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Full publication list with PDFs, DOI links, and undergraduate co-author highlights available on the publications page and Google Scholar.

All Publications Google Scholar Profile

Interested in Joining the Lab?

Undergraduate researchers are the core of everything we do. No prior research experience required — just curiosity and commitment. Projects in genomics, bioinformatics, field entomology, and more.

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