Yonas Tekle

Yonas I. Tekle is an Associate Professor of Biology at Spelman College whose research centers on the evolution, diversity, and systematics of eukaryotic microbes, particularly protists. He integrates molecular phylogenetics, phylogenomics, and taxonomy to investigate major transitions in eukaryotic life and to resolve relationships among amoeboid and other microbial lineages. Tekle’s lab trains undergraduate researchers in genomics, bioinformatics, and organismal biology, contributing to broad participation in STEM. He has published on the phylogeny and classification of amoebozoans and related groups, advancing understanding of eukaryotic origins and biodiversity through collaborative, data-rich studies.