Malcolm Schug

Malcolm Schug serves as Professor and Department Head in the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), where he holds a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. He teaches core courses including Evolution, Genetics, Population Genetics, and Human Evolutionary Genetics.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. from The Ohio State University

Dr. Schug's research program integrates evolutionary genetics and animal behavior through genetic, behavioral, and molecular approaches to study natural selection in wild populations. His primary focus examines Drosophila ananassae in South Pacific and Asian ecosystems, investigating interactions between natural selection, migration, genetic drift, and chromosomal crossing-over during adaptation. Complementing this, he conducts significant work in wetlands biodiversity, analyzing restored wetland impacts on animal communities, particularly urban bat populations. His STEM equity initiatives address curriculum development and inclusive practices for students and faculty.

Publication analysis reveals two distinct research thrusts: 1) Urban ecology studies demonstrate how constructed wetlands rapidly enhance bat diversity and activity patterns, with weekend human activity significantly altering bat behavior; 2) STEM education research identifies cohort-based programs as critical for developing student self-efficacy, science identity, and sense of belonging through research-rich laboratory experiences.

Award recognition includes:

• Editors Choice Award (Land, 2021) for high-impact wetland biodiversity research

His mentoring approach emphasizes undergraduate research involvement, as evidenced by student co-authorship across publications. Current grants support wetlands monitoring and STEM equity projects examining curriculum reform and inclusive faculty development.

Field research occurs through urban wetland monitoring sites and evolutionary genetics laboratories, with teams comprising undergraduate researchers and cross-disciplinary collaborators focused on ecological restoration and educational innovation.