Leslie A. Lyons, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Population Health & Reproduction
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of California, Davis

Dr. Lyons received her graduate degrees from The University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Human Genetics. Both her Masters and Doctorate degrees are in human genetics, specializing in both laboratory and data analysis of human disease gene mapping. In 1992, Dr. Lyons joined the National Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Genomic Diversity for her post-doctoral career in comparative genetics. While at the NCI, she organized the Feline Genome Project. Dr. Lyons developed a feline genetic mapping pedigree using natural mating and assisted reproductive techniques between domestic and Asian Leopard cats. These hybrid cats are known as Bengals by cat breeders. Dr. Lyons was promoted to Research Fellow at the NCI and expanded her interests by initiating population genetic and disease gene mapping projects for the domestic cat.

In the fall of 1999, Dr. Lyons joined the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, to further pursue disease gene mapping and genetic map construction in companion animals, including the cats, dogs, horses and primates. In collaboration with the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory and the Center for Companion Animal Health at UC Davis, Dr. Lyons has established a high-throughput genotyping lab in the Department of Population Health and Reproduction. The laboratory's major focus is the genetics of the domestic cat. Dr. Lyons research laboratory has had recent success with the identification of the gene causing Persian cat polycystic kidney disease, which is the most prevalent inherited disease in cats. The lab has also identified the mutations for cat blood type, and Siamese, Burmese, albino, chocolate and cinnamon cat colors in the cats. Each of these are now used as genetic tests for the cat. Dr. Lyons' lab has been the testing lab for all groups who are cloning cats to prove that the cats are truly clones.

Dr. Lyons is a member of the Genetics, Comparative Pathology, Animal Biology and Forensics graduate groups at UC Davis. Students can earn both master's and doctoral degrees with Dr. Lyons and many undergraduates perform internships with her research team. She has an active research program that seeks federal, private, and intramural funding opportunities.