Rasmus Nielsen (biologist)

{{Short description|Danish geneticist}}

{{Infobox scientist

| honorific_prefix =

| name = Rasmus Nielsen

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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|01|27}}

| birth_place = Denmark

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| nationality = Danish

| fields = Evolutionary biology
Statistical genetics

| workplaces = Cornell University
University of California, Berkeley

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| education = University of Copenhagen (Cand.scient., 1994){{Cite web |url=http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2004/03/two-cornell-scientists-receive-sloan-fellowships |title=Two Cornell University scientists receive Sloan Fellowships |last=Lang |first=Susan S. |date=2004-03-23 |website=Cornell Chronicle |language=en |access-date=2018-12-25}}
University of California, Berkeley (Ph.D., 1998)

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| thesis_title = Monte Carlo likelihood methods in population genetics

| thesis_url = https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100830797

| thesis_year = 1998

| doctoral_advisor = Montgomery Slatkin

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| known_for = Evolutionary genetics
Population genetics

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| awards = Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship (2004)

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Rasmus Nielsen (born January 27, 1970){{Cite web |url=http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2005049828.html |title=Nielsen, Rasmus, 1970- |website=Library of Congress Name Authority File |access-date=2018-12-25}} is a Danish biologist and professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on statistical genetics and computational genomics as they relate to evolutionary biology. Much of his research has focused on the molecular mechanisms of evolutionary adaptations.{{Cite web |url=https://ib.berkeley.edu/people/faculty/nielsenr |title=Rasmus Nielsen |website=Department of Integrative Biology |date=21 June 2012 |publisher=University of California, Berkeley |access-date=2018-12-25}} For example, in 2010, his research group discovered the variant in the EPAS1 gene that allows Tibetans to live at high altitudes.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-28127785 |title=Altitude gene 'from extinct species' |last=Rincon |first=Paul |date=2014-07-02 |work=BBC News |access-date=2018-12-25 |language=en-GB |author-link=Paul Rincon}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/02/science/02tibet.html |title=Scientists Cite Fastest Case of Human Evolution |last=Wade |first=Nicholas |date=2010-07-01 |work=The New York Times |access-date=2018-12-25 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |author-link=Nicholas Wade}} His research has also identified an evolved genetic adaptation among the Inuit that allows them to metabolize fatty acids.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/science/inuit-study-adds-twist-to-omega-3-fatty-acids-health-story.html |title=Inuit Study Adds Twist to Omega-3 Fatty Acids' Health Story |last=Zimmer |first=Carl |date=2015-09-17 |work=The New York Times |access-date=2018-12-25 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |author-link=Carl Zimmer}}