Tommaso Pizzari

Professor Tommaso Pizzari is a leading evolutionary biologist at the University of Oxford, holding roles including Professor of Evolutionary Biology, Associate Head of the Department (Education), Section Head of Behaviour & Biomechanics, AWERB Chair, and Tutorial Fellow of St Catherine’s College. His research focuses on sexual selection, intersexual coevolution, and reproductive strategies in birds (notably red junglefowl), integrating experimental, physiological, and molecular approaches. He has contributed to understanding topics like cryptic female choice, sexual conflict, and the role of the reproductive microbiome.

Key awards include the ASAB Outstanding Young Investigator Award (2005), Philip Leverhulme Prize (2008), and the Zoological Society of London’s Scientific Medal (2015). He has served on prestigious editorial and grant review boards, including NERC and the BOU council. His work bridges evolutionary theory and applied biology, with over 150 publications across journals like Proceedings of the Royal Society B and Animal Behaviour.

Research interests emphasize sexual networks, reproductive senescence, and the molecular basis of fertility. His group investigates how social structure and individual traits influence mating success, with applications to domestication and conservation. He advises graduate students and postdocs, including Biliana Todorova (PhD candidate) and collaborators like Dr. Regina Vega-Trejo (Postdoctoral Research Assistant).