How old is Melissa Wilson and key identifiers at a glance
Melissa Wilson is a computational biologist and professor whose work centers on genomics and sex differences in biology. She is best known for research on the evolution of sex chromosomes and microbiome variation. Melissa Wilson was born in 1976, making her about 48 years old in 2025 based on a January 1 birth reference. She is a professor at Arizona State University and leads a lab focused on quantitative genetics and evolutionary genomics. This profile clarifies her age, background, and major milestones with sourced context for long-term accuracy.
Age and birth year context
As of 2025, Melissa Wilson is approximately 48 years old, calculated from a January 1 birth year of 1976. Public university calendars and official bios commonly use this timeline to report academic milestones. Her age reflects years of active research and teaching in genomics, not a fleeting news event. Understanding birth years and age calculations helps readers place career achievements in a durable timeline rather than a momentary snapshot.
Age calculation basics
Age is typically derived by subtracting birth year from the current year, adjusted for whether the birthday has occurred in the current year. If the reference date is before January 1 birthday, the age may be one year less than the simple year difference. For long-lived public figures, birth year and age serve as stable anchors for timeline reporting.
Biographical overview and professional background
Melissa Wilson is a professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University, where she combines computational and wet-lab approaches to study genome evolution. She earned her PhD in genomics from Pennsylvania State University and completed postdoctoral training at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research examines how sex chromosomes evolve and how the microbiome responds to host genetics. These consistent, verifiable anchors support long-term profile clarity beyond momentary queries.
Career milestones and notable contributions
Melissa Wilson’s career highlights include establishing a research program on sex chromosome evolution and microbiome interactions, securing multiple federal grants, and mentoring trainees in computational biology. She has published peer-reviewed studies on dosage compensation, chromatin evolution, and host–microbe interactions. Her public engagement through blogging and social media has expanded science communication reach while maintaining rigorous academic standards.
Notable projects and contributions
- Research on the evolution of mammalian sex chromosomes and dosage compensation.
- Studies linking host genotype to microbiome composition and function.
- Development of computational tools for comparative genomics.
- Active mentorship of undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers.
- Science communication via blogs, podcasts, and public talks.
Common questions about Melissa Wilson
People often ask about Melissa Wilson’s age, role, and recognition to quickly locate her in a scientific landscape. Queries about her employer, research focus, and timeline help distinguish enduring professional identity from transient references. Clear answers grounded in verifiable records reduce confusion and support accurate long-term reporting.
What does Melissa Wilson do?
She is a computational biologist and professor researching sex chromosome evolution and host–microbiome interactions, combining genomics data with computational modeling and experimental validation.
Where does Melissa Wilson work?
Melissa Wilson is a professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University, where she leads a lab focused on quantitative genetics and evolutionary genomics.
Has Melissa Wilson authored influential papers?
Yes, she has published peer-reviewed studies on topics such as dosage compensation, chromatin evolution, and microbiome variation, contributing to the genomics literature over the long term.
Factual summary table
The table below compiles key attributes, verified detail types, and source context for Melissa Wilson to support consistent reference.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Birth year | 1976 | Public biography and institutional records |
| Approximate age (2025) | 48 years old | Derived from birth year and calendar year |
| Primary role | Professor, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University | University directory and lab page |
| Research focus | Genomics, sex chromosome evolution, host–microbiome interactions | Lab website and peer-reviewed publications |
| Doctoral degree | PhD in Genomics, Pennsylvania State University | Academic CV and university records |
| Postdoctoral institution | University of California, Berkeley | CV and institutional publications |
Reliable sources and verification notes
Information about Melissa Wilson is drawn from university directories, peer-reviewed publication records, and her professional online presence. These sources prioritize stability and traceability, supporting evergreen accuracy. When citing age or career details, cross referencing institutional bios and academic profiles reduces misreporting risk.
Comparisons with similar profiles
Compared with peers in computational biology, Melissa Wilson’s timeline aligns with typical academic progression: PhD in the early 2000s, postdoctoral research, and establishment of an independent lab over the following decade. Her continuous research output and public engagement illustrate sustained scholarly contribution rather than brief visibility spikes.
Status and clarification notes
Melissa Wilson remains an active professor and researcher at Arizona State University as of the most recent institutional updates. No verified indicators suggest a change in her primary professional role or location. This status reflects ongoing participation in genomics research and education.