Benjamin Miner

Benjamin Miner is a Professor in the Biology Department at Western Washington University, specializing in marine ecology and evolutionary biology. His research focuses on phenotypic plasticity in marine invertebrates and its ecological and evolutionary impacts. He teaches courses in marine biology, biostatistics, and invertebrate biology, and frequently collaborates internationally. Miner earned a B.A. in Marine Sciences from UC Santa Cruz (1996) and a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Florida (2003).

His career includes postdoctoral work at UC Davis’ Bodega Marine Lab, and he has conducted fieldwork in locations like Tahiti, Baja California, and Tanzania. Notable contributions include studies on sea star wasting disease and predator-prey interactions in intertidal ecosystems. Miner’s work emphasizes the role of environmental adaptation in shaping organismal traits and ecological dynamics.

Outside academia, he maintains active interests in woodworking, music (drums), and outdoor activities like kayaking and mushroom foraging. His research lab supports graduate students exploring topics such as defensive adaptations in marine species and disease ecology.