Therese Markow is an evolutionary biologist who studies speciation and adaptation to novel environments. Her research primarily utilizes Drosophila, especially the species endemic to the Sonoran Desert that breed in decaying cactus. By living in the harsh desert, in plants that contain toxic chemicals, this group of flies provides an outstanding opportunity to study the process of evolution. She also investigates genetics and ecology of other insects in the Sonoran Desert, especially those that share the cacti with Drosophila and others that vector infectious disease. She earned her Ph.D. in Zoology (Genetics) as well as her B.S. in Physical Anthropology at Arizona State University and currently holds the Amylin Chair in Life Sciences in the Division of Biological Sciences at UC San Diego.