W. Leo Smith

Dr. W. Leo Smith is an Associate Professor and Associate Curator in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas. His research focuses on comparative evolutionary biology of fishes, with expertise in phylogenetics, macroevolution, and systematic theory. He uses integrative approaches combining molecular and morphological data to study fish diversification, venom evolution, and bioluminescence. Dr. Smith holds degrees from Villanova University (2001), University of California, San Diego (1997), and Columbia University (2002 Master’s, 2005 PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology).

• Education:
• PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Columbia University (2005)
• MS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Columbia University (2002)
• BS in Biology, Villanova University (2001)
• BS in General Biology, University of California, San Diego (1997)

His research interests span ichthyology, comparative morphology, and evolutionary processes in marine and freshwater fish systems. He has published extensively on fish phylogenetics, including landmark studies on bioluminescent adaptations in deep-sea species and venom evolution in cartilaginous fishes. Dr. Smith’s work has been supported by multiple National Science Foundation grants, focusing on topics like deep-sea diversification and the evolution of spiny-rayed fish clades. He teaches courses on organismal biology, ichthyology, and systematic theory.

Grants & Funding:

• NSF DEB-1258141: Diversification in deep-sea fish adaptations (2013–2016)
• NSF DEB-1060869: Spiny-rayed fish diversification (2011–2014)
• NSF DEB-0732642: Euteleost tree of life (2007–2012)

His lab focuses on integrating genomic and morphological data to address unresolved questions in fish evolution, with particular emphasis on venomous and bioluminescent lineages. Ongoing projects include studies on lanternfish phylogeny and the evolution of adipose fins.