Emma K. Brookover, Ph.D.

Emma Brookover is a Research Assistant Professor with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and Department of Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Native to Spring, TX, she has had the opportunity to work with a variety of wildlife species during her undergraduate, graduate, and postdoc time at Texas Tech University. There, besides going to exciting football, baseball, and basketball games (Wreck ‘em!), she gained experience in the classroom, in the lab, and in the field. Her dissertation primarily focused on the molecular evolution and phylogenetic importance of a gamete recognition gene called Zan and its unique contribution to mammalian speciation. Emma has a background in molecular biology, mammalian reproduction, and natural history collections. Her interests continue to be focused on exploring different aspects of evolution including diversification, adaptation, hybridization, and conservation genomics in wild cat species, (e.g., ocelot, bobcat) as part of the mission of the Feline Research Program at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute.

Emma enjoys reading and learning, spending time with family and friends, hiking, traveling, networking, and anything wildlife. Emma is married to Eric and they have a daughter, Ella, and a bloodhound, Teddy.