Research in the Department of Evolution and Ecology spans the breadth of the field, from the genetic foundations of biodiversity to the ecological processes that shape populations, communities, and ecosystems. Research areas include animal behavior, evolutionary and ecological genomics, phylogenetics and macroevolution, marine and community ecology, environmental change and conservation, and evolution and ecology pedagogy.
Department Research Areas
Department Research Areas
Animal Behavior
Study how animals interact with one another and their environments, from communication and social behavior to movement, mating, and adaptation.
Environmental Change and Conservation
Investigate how organisms and ecosystems respond to environmental change while developing science that informs conservation and management.
Evolutionary and Ecological Genomics
Use genomic tools to understand how evolution, adaptation, and ecological interactions shape the diversity of life.
Marine Evolution and Ecology
Explore the evolutionary and ecological processes that influence marine organisms, communities, and coastal ecosystems.
Organismal and Physiological Ecology
Explore how organisms interact with and respond to their environments through physiological, behavioral, and ecological adaptations.
Pedagogy and Curriculum
Advance evidence-based approaches to teaching evolution and ecology while improving student learning, engagement, and inclusive science education.
Phylogenetics and Macroevolution
Reconstruct the evolutionary history of life and examine the large-scale patterns and processes that drive biodiversity through time.
Community Ecology
Examine how species interact with one another and their environment to shape the structure, function, and diversity of ecological communities.