Kelly B. Miller

Kelly B. Miller is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of New Mexico (UNM). She also serves as Director of the Postbaccalaureate Research & Education Program (PREP) and Curator of Arthropods at the Museum of Southwestern Biology. Her research focuses on invertebrate biology, molecular evolution, and systematics/phylogenetics, with a particular emphasis on insect systematics, phylogenetics, and aquatic insect taxonomy. Miller holds a Ph.D. in Entomology from Cornell University (2001). Her work integrates morphological and molecular data to explore evolutionary patterns in arthropods, including sexual conflict dynamics and host plant associations in beetles. She has contributed significantly to the taxonomy of Dytiscidae (diving beetles) and Gyrinidae (whirligig beetles), with over 50 peer-reviewed publications. Her lab is situated in CAST Building 152-156, and her office is in CERIA 227.

Research interests include the evolution of sexual systems in predaceous diving beetles, phylogenetic relationships within Coleoptera, and biodiversity documentation in Neotropical and Madagascan regions. She employs cutting-edge molecular techniques alongside traditional morphological analysis. Miller’s recent studies highlight shifts in host plant behaviors among longhorn beetles and the phylogenetic placement of subterranean diving beetles. Her work frequently addresses taxonomic revisions and the discovery of new species, particularly in understudied aquatic beetle lineages.

Miller’s contributions extend to educational outreach through the PREP program, which supports underrepresented students in STEM. She collaborates internationally on biodiversity projects and has developed identification tools like Longicorn ID and Oncid ID for beetle systematics. Her research also engages with conservation issues, such as the impact of habitat specialization on endemic species in regions like Cuatrociénegas, Mexico.