Dr. Lisa Pope is a researcher at the School of Chemical Engineering , The University of Queensland, serving as Centre Manager for the ARC Training Centre for Bioplastics and Biocomposites. Her work integrates population genetics, phylogeography, and conservation biology to address ecological and evolutionary challenges. PhD in Population Genetics (2001), The University of Queensland Member, Australasian Research Management Society Her research focuses on applied population genetics , examining dispersal patterns in endangered species like the northern bettong and Brazilian tanager. She investigates how human activities, such as translocation, impact invasive species spread (e.g., tilapia) and wildlife disease dynamics (e.g., bovine tuberculosis in badgers). Recent publications highlight trends in conservation genetics , phylogeographic analysis , and reproductive strategies . Her work on tiger sharks revealed single-paternity systems , while studies on badgers demonstrated culling-induced movement and genetic isolation mechanisms. Scientific contributions are recognized through grants like the UQ Postdoctoral Fellowship for Women (2012-2015). She has supervised 20+ students, including Ambrocio Matias (2016) and Andrew Mather (2009), across topics in marine ecology , conservation genetics , and evolutionary biology .
Marie Bourjade is a Lecturer in Developmental Psychology at the Cognition, Languages, Language, Ergonomics Laboratory (CLLE, UMR 5263) of Toulouse Jean Jaurès University . She leads research on multimodal communication systems , with a focus on human-primate comparative analysis and language evolution through her MODAL project. HDR in 2022: 'Bridges between gesture and voice in primate species' Junior Member of Institut Universitaire de France since 2020 Previously held postdoctoral positions at Max Planck Institute and Aix-Marseille University Her research explores interspecific communication mechanisms , combining developmental psychology , experimental linguistics , and primate behavioral ecology . Recent publications examine attention-sensitive communication in human infants and olive baboons , revealing evolutionary continuities in multimodal signaling. She supervises master's theses in evolutionary psychology and teaches across L1-L3 psychology curricula , including developmental psychology history, observation techniques, and comparative psychology courses. Collaborations include institutions like University of California San Diego , University of St Andrews , and Tilburg University .
Dr. Andrew Harrison is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Essex. Originally an astrophysicist specializing in star formation, he transitioned to bioinformatics to explore life detection on exoplanets and apply mathematical-statistical methods to functional genomics. His work involves collaborating with biologists and medics to analyze data-rich experiments like microarrays. Qualifications include a PhD in Astrophysics and BSc in Physics with Astrophysics from the University of Manchester (1991). He has held his current position since 2004. Research interests span bioinformatics applications, computational genomics, and interdisciplinary collaborations in life sciences. Publications reflect expertise in gene selection methods, evolutionary cooperation models, and bioinformatics tools for genomic data analysis. He has contributed to rice stress-resistance databases and protein interaction studies. His work bridges astrophysics-derived analytical techniques with modern biological problems, emphasizing data-driven solutions. Grants and funding details are listed in institutional records, though specific projects are not detailed here. Teaching and supervision activities are integral to his role, though student names are not provided in available texts.
Prof. dr. G.S. (Sander) van Doorn is an Associate Professor at the University of Groningen’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, affiliated with the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES). He specializes in theoretical biology, focusing on evolutionary systems biology and microbial adaptation. His work integrates mathematical modeling with experimental evolution to study topics like bacterial chemotaxis, metabolic diversification, and antibiotic resistance. Education: MSc Biology (Utrecht University, 1999), PhD in Mathematics and Natural Sciences (Groningen University, 2004). Postdoctoral research included stints at the University of Texas at Austin, Santa Fe Institute, and University of Bern. Research interests include evolutionary mechanisms shaping molecular networks, phenotypic plasticity, speciation theory, and the interplay between bacterial metabolism and environmental adaptation. He leads projects on bacterial chemotaxis, competence evolution, and eco-evolutionary dynamics of antimicrobial resistance. He chairs the committee of church stewards for the Protestant Church in Hoogezand-Sappemeer and serves as Programme Director for the BSc/MSc Biology programs. Key collaborations involve molecular genetics groups for experimental validation of theoretical models. Recent work emphasizes the evolutionary origins of metabolic flexibility and how microbial communities resist antibiotics through collective strategies. His theoretical frameworks explain how network complexity influences evolutionary trajectories, bridging systems biology and traditional evolutionary theory.
J. Bruce Walsh is a Professor at the University of Arizona, with a focus on evolutionary and quantitative genetics. His research explores genetic variation, selection dynamics, and breeding strategies across plant and animal systems. Walsh's work bridges theoretical frameworks with applied challenges in agriculture and conservation. Key research areas include genomic selection methodologies, evolutionary potential of populations, and the genetic basis of quantitative traits. He has contributed significantly to understanding how non-adaptive forces (e.g., genetic drift) interact with natural and artificial selection. Walsh's publications span topics from theoretical population genetics to applied breeding programs, emphasizing sustainable solutions for orphan crops and biodiversity preservation. His work often integrates computational models with empirical data to address complex evolutionary questions.
Dr. Pragya Singh is a chemical ecologist at the University of Bielefeld's Faculty of Biology, specializing in Chemical Ecology. She is actively affiliated with the SFB/Transregio 212 "A Novel Synthesis of Individualization across Behavior, Ecology and Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction" (NC³) research consortium. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical approaches to understand how chemical compounds shape ecological and evolutionary processes. Her research interests focus on chemical ecology, evolutionary biology, and insect behavior , with particular expertise in pharmacophagy (the non-nutritional use of plant chemicals by insects), niche construction theory, and sexual selection mechanisms. Singh investigates how chemical compounds influence insect behavior, social structures, and evolutionary trajectories across multiple life stages, often examining the intersection between individual variation and population-level ecological processes. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on reproducibility in ecological research, individual behavioral variation, and the role of chemical compounds in mediating ecological interactions. Her work frequently examines holometabolous insects (those with complete metamorphosis) to understand how different life stages respond to environmental stressors and chemical cues. While specific awards are not documented in the available information, her publication record demonstrates significant contributions to understanding how chemical ecology shapes evolutionary processes. Her collaborative work across multiple laboratories suggests strong networking within the ecological research community. Dr. Singh's research has important implications for understanding how species respond to environmental change through individual variation and behavioral plasticity. Her work on pharmacophagy and chemical defense mechanisms provides insights into potential applications for pest management and conservation biology.
Anne Peters is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Monash University, where she conducts research at the intersection of behavioural ecology, evolutionary biology, and physiology. Her work primarily focuses on avian systems, especially Australian fairy-wrens and other bird species. Research Interests: Anne's research investigates the mechanisms underlying sexual selection and honest signaling, particularly how hormonal and dietary factors influence ornamentation. She explores life-history trade-offs involving immune function, parental care, and environmental stressors. Her work also delves into telomere ecology, avian coloration, and cooperative breeding systems. Using integrative approaches, she combines endocrinology, immunology, and field ecology to understand animal behaviour and adaptation. Recent Research Trends: Her most recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on the physiological and ecological impacts of environmental change, including climate variability and fire regimes. She employs both empirical studies and meta-analyses to examine telomere dynamics, stress responses, and social behaviour in wild bird populations. Her research increasingly integrates conservation applications, such as using seabirds as ecosystem indicators and informing fire management practices. Scientific Contributions: Anne has published over 120 research outputs, including articles in top journals like Molecular Ecology , Journal of Applied Ecology , and Royal Society Open Science . Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to life on land and environmental sustainability. Advising and Grants: She actively supervises research students and leads multiple funded projects. As a Primary Chief Investigator on an ARC-funded project and a Chief Investigator on several others, she secures significant research support. Her projects examine topics such as pharmaceutical pollution in aquatic ecosystems, climate sensitivity in early life, and conservation ecology of endangered birds. Labs and Teams: Anne leads a research group focused on behavioural and physiological ecology, collaborating with national and international partners. Her team works on diverse avian species, combining fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and data synthesis to address fundamental questions in evolutionary ecology.
Prof. Dr. Jutta Schneider is a Full Professor of Behavioural Ecology at the University of Hamburg's Department of Biology, where she leads the Behavioral Biology research unit at the Institute of Animal Cell and Systems Biology. She earned her PhD from the University of Munich (1993) and completed Habilitations at the Universities of Mainz (2001) and Bonn (2003). Her career includes postdoctoral research across four continents and a DFG Heisenberg Fellowship (2001–2004). Her research explores evolutionary dynamics in arthropods, specializing in: Sexual selection, conflict, and mating systems Cooperative behavior in social spiders Adaptive plasticity in life-history traits Cognition costs and urban adaptation in spiders She maintains an active spider breeding laboratory for experimental studies. Recent publications (2022–2024) cluster around spider behavioral ecology, with emphases on: Pheromone signaling and sexual cannibalism Kin-based cooperation and social foraging Morphological adaptations and hybridization Acrobatic predation and niche engineering Notable professional activities include serving as Editor-in-Chief of Ethology (2010–2020), DFG Review Board membership (2020–2028), and leadership as Head of the Department of Biology (2014–2017). She currently supervises multiple third-party funded projects including studies on sexual conflict in mantises and genomic adaptations in widow spiders.
Yaniv Brandvain is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Biology within the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. He leads the "higgledy piggledy lab" which focuses on plant evolutionary genomics, with research spanning speciation, hybridization, adaptation, mating system evolution, and genomic conflict. His research interests include: Plant speciation mechanisms and the role of hybridization Mating system evolution in plants Genomic approaches to understanding evolutionary processes Plant domestication and de novo domestication efforts Reproductive isolation and genomic conflict Evolutionary consequences of selfing versus outcrossing Dr. Brandvain's research integrates population and quantitative genomic theory with empirical data analysis to address fundamental evolutionary questions. His work combines molecular genetics, comparative analyses, and theoretical modeling to understand the origin and maintenance of species diversity. A key aspect of his research program involves studying plant speciation using diverse model systems including Mimulus, Capsella, Helianthus, and Silphium. Scientific recognition: McKnight Land Grant Professor Dr. Brandvain actively mentors postdoctoral researchers and has collaborated extensively with colleagues across the University of Minnesota including Suzanne McGaugh, David Moeller, Emma Goldberg, James Pease, Kevin Smith, Candice Hirsch, and Peter Tiffin. He co-founded evolTWIN, a cross-departmental evolutionary biology group that facilitates collaboration among evolutionary biologists in the Twin Cities area. His lab has been instrumental in advancing the domestication of Silphium as a potential new perennial crop. The Brandvain lab maintains a strong presence in the evolutionary biology community, regularly presenting at major conferences and advocating for open science practices including the use of preprint servers for rapid dissemination of research findings.
Jacobus J. Boomsma is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, specializing in Ecology and Evolution. With a career spanning over four decades since earning his PhD in 1982, he has established himself as a leading authority in evolutionary biology, particularly in social evolution and insect symbiosis research. His research focuses on the biology of cooperation and conflict to understand adaptive design by natural selection, with particular emphasis on social insects. Boomsma has conducted extensive fieldwork on fungus-growing ants for 25 years through the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, while also initiating research programs across Denmark, Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia. His work combines molecular methods with kin-selection theory to address questions about evolutionary transitions in organizational complexity. More recently, he has expanded his research to include evolutionary medicine applications using Danish public health data. Boomsma's publication record is exceptional, with over 325 publications in Google Scholar, more than 23,900 citations, and an h-index of 85. His work appears in top-tier journals including 5 papers in Nature, 7 in Science, 10 in PNAS, and numerous other high-impact publications. His research has explored diverse aspects of social insect biology, including ant-fungus symbiosis, disease management in ant colonies, reproductive strategies, and the genetic basis of social organization. Awards and Honors: C.&C. Huygens Excellence Fellowship (1985-1990) Elected Member of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters (1998) Alexander von Humboldt Research Award (2001) Honorary Doctorate from University of Helsinki (2010) Knighthood in the Royal Danish Order of Dannebrog (2015) Quadrennial Hamilton Award for lifetime achievement (2018) Elected Fellow of AAAS (2019) Elected Member of Sigma Xi (2023) Boomsma has trained over 25 PhD students and 30 postdocs, with 23 of his trainees securing tenured academic positions (10 now full professors). His leadership includes serving as Director of the Centre for Social Evolution (2005-2018), coordinating EU research networks, and chairing ERC panels. He has held editorial positions for numerous prestigious journals including Proceedings of The Royal Society series B and BMC Ecology and Evolution. His laboratory and research group at the University of Copenhagen, previously housed within the Centre for Social Evolution, represents a major hub for evolutionary biology research in Europe, with extensive international collaborations across multiple continents.
Katie McGhee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Sewanee: The University of the South, where she has been teaching and conducting research since Fall 2015. She previously held postdoctoral positions at the University of Cambridge (2013-2015) and the University of Illinois (2009-2015). Her research focuses on behavioral ecology, particularly how early environmental experiences shape behavioral variation in fish species. McGhee earned her PhD from Florida State University under advisor Dr. Joseph Travis, following an MSc also at Florida State University with Dr. Don Levitan. Her academic journey has taken her from large research universities to a small liberal arts college setting, where she has adapted her teaching and research approaches to maximize undergraduate involvement. Dr. McGhee's research centers on how parental and early-life experiences affect behavioral development in fish. Using primarily the mangrove rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus), a self-fertilizing hermaphroditic fish, she investigates transgenerational effects of stress, predator exposure, and social interactions on offspring behavior. Her work explores how these early experiences influence risk assessment, exploration, mate choice, and other behavioral traits across generations. She approaches these questions from both ecological and evolutionary perspectives, examining how behavioral plasticity might serve as an adaptive response to environmental challenges. Analysis of McGhee's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on transgenerational effects of environmental stressors on fish behavior. Her work spans multiple model systems including mangrove rivulus, threespine stickleback, and mosquitofish, with particular attention to how parental experiences with predation risk shape offspring behavior. A notable trend is her increasing use of genetically controlled systems to isolate environmental effects, as well as her growing emphasis on the interaction between genetic background and early environmental experiences. Highlighted in a New Faculty Profile by the Society for the Study of Evolution Associate Editor for Proceedings of the Royal Society (Biological Sciences) Editor for Animal Behaviour (until 2024) Multiple papers featured as highlighted articles by journal editors Research featured in Nature Dr. McGhee is deeply committed to undergraduate research mentorship. She has guided numerous students through independent projects, many of which have resulted in publications where students are first authors. Her mentoring philosophy emphasizes building student confidence while providing constructive guidance, recognizing the importance of creating a safe space for students to learn through experimentation and occasional failure. She has successfully adapted her research program to thrive in a small liberal arts college environment without graduate students, focusing on projects that can be accomplished with undergraduate researchers. The McGhee lab operates within Sewanee's unique environment - a small liberal arts college with fewer than 1,800 undergraduate students situated on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee, surrounded by over 10,000 acres of university-owned wilderness. This setting provides rich opportunities for both field and laboratory research, with easy access to diverse aquatic habitats where many of her study species are found. Her lab has produced research on topics including parental effects on offspring behavior, risk assessment in fish, mate choice, and chemical communication, with particular emphasis on the mangrove rivulus system.
Dr. Cristina Tuni is a Researcher at Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU) in the Department of Biologie II, Faculty of Biology. Her research focuses on reproductive biology, sexual selection, and mating system evolution in arthropods, particularly spiders and crickets. She investigates adaptive significance of female polyandry, male mating strategies, and the interplay between pre- and post-mating sexual selection using molecular methods, experimental evolution, and field studies. Tuni leads a lab team including PhD students Magdalena Matzke and Michelle Beyer. She has held a position at LMU since 2014, following postdoctoral research at Aarhus University (2011–2013). Education: PhD in Bioscience from Aarhus University (2011), M.Sc. in Biology from University of Rome Tor Vergata (2007). Teaching includes courses on behavioral ecology, evolutionary ecology, and scientific writing. Her work spans topics like nuptial gift behavior in spiders, temperature effects on insect behavior, and inbreeding in social spiders. Key research trends include understanding how ecological factors influence mating strategies and sperm competition dynamics. Recent publications address silk-mediated chemical communication, light pollution effects on spider behavior, and cricket behavioral stability under temperature changes. No explicit scientific awards are listed. Grants and advising activities are central to her role, with a focus on experimental and field-based methodologies. Her lab (TuniLab) explores reproductive ecology across diverse arthropod systems.
William Lynch is a Professor in the Department of History at Wayne State University, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on Science and Technology Studies, Environmental History, and the History of Evolutionary Science. He holds a Ph.D. in Science and Technology Studies from Cornell University (1996), supplemented by advanced degrees from Virginia Tech and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Dr. Lynch's work spans interdisciplinary themes including cultural evolution theories, dissent in scientific communities, and the political dimensions of scientific practices. His recent publications (2015–2021) explore topics like post-truth discourse, anthropocene origins, and green chemistry adoption barriers. He has been recognized with the prestigious Board of Governors Faculty Recognition Award (2022). Teaches courses on World Environmental History, Science/Technology/Society, and Global Historical Perspectives. Active in graduate mentorship through advanced seminars like HIS7540 and HON4250. His research bridges historical analysis with contemporary debates, emphasizing how scientific knowledge interacts with sociopolitical structures. Over 680 citations in Google Scholar reflect his impactful contributions to fields like science ethics and environmental policy.
Samantha Sinclair is an Associate Professor at Linnaeus University, Sweden, affiliated with the Department of Social, Work and Organizational Psychology within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. She specializes in social psychology and organizational behavior, focusing on discrimination in employment, gender disparities in career choices, and decision-making processes in recruitment. Her research emphasizes the intersection of social norms, political ideologies, and workplace dynamics. Education: She holds a Doctoral Thesis (2015) from Lund University titled Social psychological barriers to a gender balanced labor market , focusing on gender identity threats and perceived discrimination in career paths. Research Interests: Her work explores themes such as workplace discrimination, gender differences in career choices, the impact of social norms on behavior, and the psychological underpinnings of employment decisions. Current projects include the CANOK initiative (Children as Next of Kin at School) and studies on refugee acceptance and political tolerance. Publications: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles since 2013, including high-impact studies on anti-work orientations, organ donation intentions, and ageism in hiring. Her work bridges experimental methods with real-world policy implications. Grants and Collaboration: Active in research environments funded by the Swedish Research Council, including the 'Diversity in the Labour Market' initiative (2019–2024). She collaborates with institutions on meta-science projects and recruitment-related assessment studies. Labs/Teams: Member of the Department of Methodology and Metascience and the Diversity in Labour Market research group. Leads projects on employment discrimination and youth mental health as caregivers.
Dr. Jorgelina Marino is a Research Fellow at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), University of Oxford, and ED&I Lead. She has been at WildCRU since 1999 and serves as Science Director of the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme. Her roles include tutoring the PG Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice and supervising graduate students globally. She coordinates the Ethiopian Wolf Working Group under the IUCN SSC Canid Specialist Group. Her research focuses on carnivore ecology, specifically Ethiopian wolves and African canids. Key interests include viral diseases (rabies/distemper), spatial ecology, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and climate change impacts in Afroalpine ecosystems. She emphasizes community engagement in conservation and has pioneered vaccination strategies for endangered species. Publications highlight her work across disciplines, including disease management, pollination roles of canids, and socio-ecological challenges in highland regions. Her research spans Africa and South America, with a strong emphasis on endangered species conservation through interdisciplinary approaches. Advising involves mentoring students like Daniel Villar (Ethno-Ornithology) and postdoctoral researchers such as Dr. Sandra Lai (Ethiopian Wolf Conservation). Grants and funding support fieldwork in Ethiopia, the Andes, and Patagonia. She collaborates with institutions like Oxford Mosaic and local communities to implement conservation strategies. Labs/Teams: Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme, WildCRU, IUCN SSC Canid Specialist Group. Ongoing projects include rabies vaccine efficacy studies and socio-ecological assessments in the Altiplano.
