Molly Womack

Molly Womack is an Assistant Professor at Cornell University in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from Colorado State University (2016) and a B.S. from the University of Florida (2010). Her research focuses on evolutionary patterns and processes, particularly in amphibians, examining how developmental plasticity, environmental pressures, and sensory systems shape biodiversity.

Her work integrates field and lab studies to explore evolutionary development (evo-devo), trait loss, and sensory ecology. Key themes include: evolutionary development’s role in trait evolvability, adaptation vs. constraint in species survival, and functional differences in animal sensory systems. The Womack Lab emphasizes amphibian systems, with studies on wood frogs, harlequin frogs, and toads.

Recent publications (2020–2025) highlight investigations into developmental plasticity in anurans, the evolutionary loss of middle ear structures, and the ecological impacts of trait adaptation. She teaches undergraduate courses (BIOEE 1781, BIOEE 7600) and supervises Ph.D. research (BIOEE 9990). Molly has received the NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology (2016) and contributes to conservation-focused reviews like State of the Amphibia 2020.