Andrew Beckerman

Professor Andrew Beckerman is a leading evolutionary ecologist at the University of Sheffield's School of Biosciences. With over two decades of academic leadership (2005-present), he pioneered research in food web dynamics, phenotypic plasticity, and parrot conservation. His work bridges theoretical ecology with applied conservation, funded by NERC, UKRI, and EU Marie Curie programs.

• Current role: Professor in Evolutionary Ecology (2019-present)
• Past roles: Senior Lecturer (2005-2019), NERC Postdoctoral Fellow (2002-2005)
• Education: PhD (Yale 1999), MFS (Yale 1994), BSc (Tufts 1990)

Research Themes include:

• Food Web Complexity: Using optimal foraging theory to model multi-stressor impacts on ecosystems
• Phenotypic Plasticity: Genetic basis of predator-induced morphological changes in Daphnia/rotifers
• Parrot Conservation: Socioeconomic modeling for endangered species management in Central America

Publication Trends (2025-2024) reveal cross-disciplinary impact across:

• Paleoecology and mass extinction dynamics
• Computational ecology and software development
• Evolutionary trade-offs in biotechnology applications
• Behavioral adaptation under anthropogenic stressors
• Ecological network theory and stability analysis

Teaching & Leadership spans:

• Coordinating Population & Community Ecology courses (APS123, APS273)
• Directing Advanced Biological Analysis training modules
• Serving as Editor-in-Chief of Ecology and Evolution (2014-present)
• Mentoring 10+ PhD and Masters students on food webs and conservation

Laboratory Collaborations integrate:

• World Parrot Trust and Chester Zoo partnerships
• Research groups: Daphnia genomics, Algae biotechnology, Food web modeling
• Technical development: Mesostats culturing system and EcologicalNetworksDynamics.jl package