Katherine R. Goodrich

Katherine R. Goodrich is a Professor and Chair of the Biology Department at Widener University’s College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on plant-insect interactions, particularly floral scent chemistry, pollination ecology, and ecological mimicry. She actively involves undergraduates in research, emphasizing hypothesis-driven learning and grant-writing skills.

Education:

• PhD in Plant Biology (2008), University of South Carolina

Research Interests: She investigates how plants use scent, color, and morphology to communicate with insects, including floral mimicry in pawpaw pollination and biomechanical adaptations in plant structures. Her work bridges plant chemistry, ecology, and evolutionary biology.

Awards & Grants: Recipient of the Cynthia H. Sarnoski Science Faculty Fellowship (2019-2021), Widener Faculty Institutional Leadership Award (2021), and multiple research grants from Widener University. Her leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives has shaped campus policies.

Service & Media: Presented invited lectures at Harvard University and contributed to media discussions on pawpaw biology. Leads campus efforts in DEI initiatives, serving on Faculty Council committees.