Sandra Correa-Garhwal, PhD

Research Interests

My research examines the evolution of complex biological traits in spiders, with particular emphasis on the diversification of spider silk genes, sensory adaptation, and the relationship between ecology, behavior, and genome evolution. By combining evolutionary biology, genomics, and bioinformatics, my work examines how novel traits emerge and diversify across lineages while creating opportunities for students to engage directly in modern, hypothesis-driven biological research.

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is centered on active, inquiry-driven learning where students engage with biology by asking questions, analyzing data, and working through real scientific problems. I emphasize strong conceptual understanding alongside quantitative and computational skills, integrating evolution, genetics, and bioinformatics in ways that reflect modern biological research. I also focus on clear mentorship and accessibility so students can build confidence and see themselves as capable scientists.

Grants, Awards, Honors & Recognitions

Funding

Current

• National Science Foundation, Integrative Research in Biology (intBIO) Program ($540K to AMNH, $1.42M total). Collaborative Research: Evolutionary and Functional Trade-offs in Extreme Sensory Capabilities of a Remarkable Clade of Nocturnal Predators. PI: Correa-Garhwal; Co-PI: Hayashi; Co-PI: Baker. Collaborating institutions: Cornell University and University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Completed

• Dr. Janet M. Boyce Memorial Endowed Fund for Women Majoring in the Sciences ($3,698). Molecular adaptations of spider silk to life underwater. April 2016.
• Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research ($5,000). Reinvasion of aquatic habitats: silk adaptations of New Zealand spiders to life under seawater. May 2015.
• UC MEXUS Small Grants for UC Students ($1,500). Reinvasion of aquatic habitats: adaptations of spiders to wet habitats in Mexico. January 2014.
• Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research ($993). Spitting spider venom composition. January 2012.
• SICB Grant-in-Aid of Research ($999). Scytodes thoracica silk gene discovery. January 2012.

Recent Scholarly or Creative Contributions

• Baker, R. H., Correa-Garhwal, S. M., Ayoub, N. A., Clarke, T. H., Friend, K., Diaz, C., Jr., Frandsen, P. B., & Hayashi, C. Y. (2025). Orb-weaving spiders possess three types of aqueous silk glue genes with pervasive variation in repeat structure, organization, and length. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 312, 147815.
• Casey, S., Correa-Garhwal, S. M., Baker, R. H., Stafstrom, J., Reeve, K., Hoy, R., Hayashi, C. Y., & Garb, J. E. (2025). Triangle weaver spider spring-loads web using exceptionally proline-rich silk from an expanded gene set. PNAS Nexus, 4(11), pgaf318.
• Opell, B. D., Kelly, S. D., Morris, S. A., & Correa-Garhwal, S. M. (2024). Changes in spider glue droplet proteins accompanied shifts in prey capture biomechanics as cobweb spiders diverged from orb-weaving ancestors. Acta Biomaterialia, 183, 191–200.
• Correa-Garhwal, S. M., Baker, R. H., Clarke, T. H., Ayoub, N. A., & Hayashi, C. Y. (2022). The complex evolutionary history of cribellate orb-weaver capture thread spidroins. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 22, 191.
• Correa-Garhwal, S. M., Babb, P. L., Voight, B. F., & Hayashi, C. Y. (2021). Golden orb-weaving spider silk genes with sex-biased expression and atypical architectures. G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics, 11(1), jkaa018.
• Babb, P. L., et al. (2017). The Nephila clavipes genome reveals the diversity and complexity of spider silk genes. Nature Genetics, 49, 895–903.