Brian D. Farrell

Brian D. Farrell is the Monique and Philip Lehner Professor for the Study of Latin America and Professor of Biology at Harvard University, affiliated with the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ). His research focuses on evolutionary biology, particularly insect-plant interactions, speciation, and biogeography. He leads the Farrell Lab, studying phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary processes in insects, with a focus on beetles and their ecological roles.

Farrell holds academic roles including teaching courses like OEB 10 (Foundations of Biological Diversity) and co-directing biodiversity projects in the Dominican Republic. His work bridges field studies, genetics, and museum collections, emphasizing the interplay between adaptation and historical contingency in diversification.

Recent research highlights include phylogenetic analysis of weevil families, the evolutionary history of pollination mutualisms, and biogeographic studies using genomic tools. He collaborates globally, contributing to initiatives like Brazil's Fauna Catalog and advancing methods in museomics and target enrichment sequencing.

His lab members include graduate students and researchers addressing topics like spider eye evolution, midge diversity, and beetle phylogeny. Farrell actively engages in public outreach, including lectures at institutions like Berklee College of Music, linking biological research to broader cultural contexts.