An interview with Karen Sears.

Karen Sears is a Professor of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA. Her group leverages a range of organisms, including bats and the short-tailed opossum, to study the mechanisms underpinning mammalian evolution. Karen is a Guest Editor for Development's Special Issue on Uncovering Developmental Diversity, which highlights how unconventional model organisms are advancing our understanding of developmental biology. We caught up with Karen to find out more about her research, the importance of public engagement and the challenges of working with unusual organisms in the lab.