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H. Frederik NijhoutView profile

Professor

• Developmental Physiology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Entomology
• +7 more

H. Frederik Nijhout holds dual appointments as the John Franklin Crowell Distinguished Professor of Biology and Professor of Biology at Duke University’s Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, where he has been a faculty member since 1977. His work bridges developmental physiology, evolutionary biology, and mathematical modeling, focusing on how genetic and environmental factors interact to shape complex traits such as insect metamorphosis, polyphenic development, and wing pattern evolution. Educated at Harvard University (Ph.D. Biology, 1974; M.A. Biology, 1972) and the University of Notre Dame (B.S., 1970), Nijhout has pioneered studies on butterfly wing patterns, revealing their underlying genetic and hormonal mechanisms. His research also examines metabolic pathways like one-carbon metabolism and neurotransmitter dynamics, with implications for human health issues such as Parkinson’s disease and acetaminophen toxicity. His research interests include understanding phenotypic plasticity, hormonal signaling (e.g., juvenile hormone, ecdysone), and the evolution of developmental processes. He advocates for systems biology approaches to integrate molecular, physiological, and environmental factors in studying complex traits, emphasizing the limitations of statistical gene-environment interaction frameworks. Recent publications highlight advancements in modeling melatonin synthesis, serotonin transporter modulation under inflammation, and the genetic basis of polyphenisms. His work underscores the importance of developmental mechanisms in enabling evolutionary adaptations to environmental challenges. Nijhout’s awards include the National Academy of Sciences membership (2025), the Kowalevsky Medal (2016), and fellowships from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2018) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1989). He has advised students like Yuichiro Suzuki and collaborates with mathematicians and clinicians to advance interdisciplinary research. His lab at Duke University studies insects such as Manduca sexta and Onthophagus beetles, and he maintains an artistic practice in pottery and painting, inspired by biological principles of pattern formation.

James F. A. TranielloView profile

Professor

• Behavioral Biology
• Social Insect Ecology
• Neuroethology
• +4 more

James F. A. Traniello is a Professor of Biology Education at Boston University, specializing in the behavioral mechanisms, ecology, and evolution of social insects. His research integrates sociobiology, neurobiology, and ecology to explore how social complexity influences brain evolution, neurochemistry, and behavioral development in ants. He earned his PhD from Harvard University and teaches BI 225: Introduction to Behavioral Biology . Education: PhD in Biology, Harvard University His research interests include the neurobiology of social structure, social brain energetics, and the metabolic scaling of social insect colonies. He employs techniques such as immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, and transcriptomics to study how brain architecture and neurochemistry support collective intelligence and division of labor. Recent work examines the evolutionary trade-offs between brain size, cognitive demands, and social complexity, with comparative studies linking ant brain evolution to human neurobiology. His lab investigates genomic and physiological adaptations in ants, including metabolic polyphenism and the role of dietary diversity in gustatory evolution. Key Research Themes: Social brain evolution, neuroethology, behavioral senescence, and genomics of social insects Traniello advises students such as Isabella Arabia, whose senior thesis explores ant-inspired art installations. While no personal awards are listed, his lab members have received recognitions like the Charles Terner Award and Belamarich Dissertation Writing Award. His lab (jftlab) collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, bridging ecology, neurobiology, and evolutionary theory to address questions about the emergence of complex social systems in insects.

John J. GutrichView profile

Professor

• Ecological Economics
• Environmental Justice
• Climate Change
• +5 more

John J. Gutrich, PhD, is a Professor of Environmental Science at Southern Oregon University (SOU), where he teaches courses such as Introduction to Environmental Science & Policy, Environmental Economics, and Ecological Modeling. He holds dual BS degrees in Ecology and Accounting from Purdue University (1994) and an MS in Sustainable Development from the University of Maryland (1995), followed by a PhD in Environmental Science from Ohio State University (2000). His research focuses on ecological economics, climate change policy, environmental justice, and invasive species management. Current projects include ecological-economic modeling of rapid Ohia death in Hawaii and assessing groundwater management in arid ecosystems. He has conducted interdisciplinary studies on carbon sequestration in forests, wetland mitigation costs, and the economic impacts of invasive species. Dr. Gutrich has authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles, covering topics from amphibian polyphenism to global ecosystem restoration policies. His work frequently bridges ecological science with socio-economic analysis, emphasizing policy-relevant outcomes. He serves on multiple environmental advisory boards and collaborates internationally on watershed management initiatives. Office: Taylor Hall 113 | Phone: 541.552.6482

Monika BrightView profile

Professor

• Microbial Symbiosis
• Marine Invertebrate Ecology
• Deep-Sea Ecosystems
• +3 more

Monika Bright is a Universitäts-Professor (Professor) in Functional and Evolutionary Ecology at the University of Vienna’s Faculty of Life Sciences. Her research focuses on microbial symbioses in extreme environments, particularly in deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. She leads projects like 'Microbial symbioses in dynamic environments' and 'Environmental impact on giant ciliate mutualism', funded from 2019–2024. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to life below water. Key research areas include symbiont ecology (Candidatus species), ciliate-microbial interactions, and vent ecosystem dynamics. She has published over 77 articles, with recent work on subseafloor animal communities (Nature Communications, 2024) and novel symbiotic species descriptions. Media coverage highlights her discovery of life beneath ocean floors near vents. Monika Bright collaborates internationally, organizing events like WoBio conferences to address gender equity in academia. Her research spans genomics, microscopy techniques (NanoSIMS), and ecological modeling of chemosynthetic communities.

Brendon BoudinotView profile

Research Professor

• Entomology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Systematic Morphology
• +3 more

Dr. Brendon Boudinot serves as the Head of Entomology II at the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, leading research in evolutionary and systematic morphology with a focus on insects, particularly ants. His work integrates advanced techniques like micro-CT scanning and phylogenetic statistics to study insect anatomy and evolutionary history. Dr. Boudinot is known for his contributions to understanding ant evolution through fossil analysis, including seminal studies on Cretaceous ants and their morphological adaptations. His research spans formicidae systematics, fossil insect morphology, and the evolutionary origins of parasitoid wasps and other hexapods. He frequently publishes in peer-reviewed journals and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects involving amber fossils, as seen in his co-hosting of the podcast 'Weird Species' discussing entomological curiosities. Dr. Boudinot’s expertise also extends to insect genital homology, functional morphology, and the application of phenomics in entomology. His work bridges paleontology and modern systematics, providing critical insights into the biodiversity of Mesozoic insects and their descendants.

Sofía CasasaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Evolutionary Developmental Biology
• Phenotypic Plasticity
• Insect Development
• +2 more

Dr. Sofía Casasa is an Assistant Professor of Biology Education at Boston University. She leads the Casasa Lab which investigates the evolution of developmental mechanisms and their role in phenotypic diversity using integrative approaches combining genetics, genomics, developmental biology, ecology and behavior. Her research focuses on eco-evo-devo principles, examining how organismal development responds to environmental factors. Primary model systems include horned beetles (Onthophagus) to study plastic horn development and behavioral adaptations, and nematodes (Pristionchus) to investigate mouth polyphenism and sexual dimorphism. Research objectives include understanding genetic/genomic regulation of plastic development, integration of morphological and behavioral plasticity, and evolutionary mechanisms underlying novel traits. Her work combines transcriptomics, functional genetics, and comparative approaches across species with diverse reproductive strategies.

Karl GrieshopView profile

Lecturer

• Evolutionary Genetics
• Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• +12 more

Karl Grieshop is a Lecturer in Genomics and Bioinformatics at the School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, where he also leads the Grieshop Lab. He is an active member of the Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation and currently accepting PhD students through the ARIES DTP program. University: University of East Anglia School: School of Biological Sciences Position: Lecturer in Genomics and Bioinformatics Lab: grieshoplab.com Education and Career Background: Lecturer (2023–present), University of East Anglia Postdoctoral Fellow (2019–2023), University of Toronto & Stockholm University Ph.D., Uppsala University (2012–2017) M.S. and B.S., University of Cincinnati Karl Grieshop's research centers on evolutionary genetics, particularly the causes and consequences of genetic variation maintained through fitness trade-offs across sexes, environments, and life stages. His work integrates experimental evolution, quantitative genetics, genomics, and modeling in Drosophila melanogaster , with broader implications for conservation, pest management, and understanding genetic disease. His interdisciplinary approach spans lab experiments, bioinformatics, and mathematical modeling. His 15 most recent publications (with 5 most recent shown) demonstrate a strong focus on sexual conflict, dominance reversals, gene expression divergence, and the genomic architecture of adaptation. These studies frequently involve experimental evolution, transcriptomics, and population genetic simulations, often using Drosophila as a model system. Scientific Awards: Benzelius Award (2022) John Maynard Smith Prize (2019) Karl actively mentors students and collaborates internationally, with research extending to birds, plants, and other arthropods. He has been involved in securing PhD funding through the ARIES DTP and provides extensive training in Drosophila husbandry, bioinformatics, statistics, and scientific writing. His lab contributes significantly to understanding how genetic constraints shape evolutionary trajectories and adaptation in changing environments. Lab and Research Group: The Grieshop Lab (grieshoplab.com) conducts interdisciplinary research on evolutionary trade-offs, using experimental and computational approaches. The lab fosters collaboration and offers opportunities for postgraduate research in evolutionary genomics and adaptation.

Brendan G HuntView profile

Associate Professor

• Epigenetics
• Social Evolution
• Insect Genomics
• +5 more

Brendan G Hunt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences . His research focuses on the interplay between genetics, epigenetics, and social evolution in insects. Email: huntbg@uga.edu Phone: 770-412-4093 Location: Griffin, GA, USA Dr. Hunt's work explores: DNA methylation and chromatin regulation in social insects Supergene dynamics in fire ant social polymorphisms Evolutionary transitions to eusociality in bees and wasps Epigenetic inheritance mechanisms in haplodiploid species Recent publications highlight his lab's contributions to understanding: Genomic regulation by social supergenes Epigenetic plasticity in subsocial and eusocial bees Comparative analysis of social insect genomes Interactions between viruses and insect epigenomes Visit the Hunt Lab Website for detailed research projects.

David W. PfennigView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Ecology
• Developmental Biology
• +5 more

David W. Pfennig is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on the interplay between evolution, ecology, and development, with a particular emphasis on phenotypic plasticity, biodiversity, and Batesian mimicry. He leads the Pfennig Lab, which studies spadefoot toads as model organisms to explore how environmental cues shape traits and drive evolutionary innovation. His research interests include: (1) the causes and ecological consequences of developmental plasticity, (2) the role of competition in generating biodiversity, and (3) the evolution of mimicry systems. He has contributed to understanding how plasticity influences diversification and how genetic mechanisms underpin adaptive traits. His lab’s work integrates field studies, experimental evolution, and genomic approaches. They investigate topics such as the genetic basis of plasticity in spadefoot toads, the evolutionary stability of mimicry, and the impacts of environmental stressors on organismal development. Dr. Pfennig collaborates widely, including with the Amphibian Genomics Consortium, and his research has implications for conservation biology and evolutionary theory. He is based in Wilson Hall, Chapel Hill, and actively engages in outreach and mentoring students in ecological and evolutionary research.

• Evolutionary Biology
• Epigenetics
• Social Insects
• +2 more

Eamonn Mallon is Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Associate Dean of Research in the Department of Genetics and Genome Biology at the University of Leicester. His research investigates evolutionary biology, epigenetics, and social insect behavior, with particular focus on DNA methylation's role in development, aging, and social organization in insects. Research explores epigenetic mechanisms in diverse insect systems including bumblebees, parasitoid wasps, and Daphnia. Investigates how environmental factors like pollution affect insect microbiomes and how epigenetic processes mediate evolutionary adaptations and phenotypic plasticity. Recent work examines DNA methylation in developmental programming, aging processes, caste determination in social insects, and environmental influences on epigenetic systems. Research integrates molecular biology, genomics, and evolutionary ecology approaches.

Greg SwordView profile

Professor

• Plant-insect interactions
• Population genomics
• Phenotypic plasticity
• +2 more

Greg Sword is Regents Professor and Charles R. Parencia Endowed Chair in Entomology at Texas A&M University. Research spans plant-insect interactions, population genomics, and integrated pest management, with applications in agricultural sustainability. Education includes BS in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from University of Arizona and PhD in Zoology from University of Texas. Interdisciplinary work integrates ecology, evolution, genomics, and microbiology. Research focuses on locust swarm behavior, insect resistance mechanisms, and microbial ecology approaches to pest control. Recent publications examine Vip3Aa resistance in moths, geomagnetic field effects on insect migration, and genomic patterns in fall armyworm populations. Patents include novel agricultural products from plant-microbe interactions. Field studies investigate collective motion in locusts and genomic adaptation in crop pests. Research contributes to sustainable pest management strategies.

Jacqueline DoyleView profile

Associate Professor

• Molecular ecology
• Conservation genomics
• Population genetics
• +3 more

Jacqueline Doyle is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Towson University, part of the College of Science and Mathematics. She holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Purdue University, an M.S. in Biological Sciences from Murray State University, and a B.A. in Biological Sciences from The College of Wooster. Her research focuses on molecular ecology, conservation genomics, and population genetics, with a particular emphasis on endangered species and wildlife conservation. Notable projects include studies on the Allegheny woodrat, golden eagles, and gray whales, exploring genetic diversity, translocation impacts, and viability selection. She also integrates education initiatives like DEI-focused CURE models in STEM curricula. Her work spans avian and amphibian systems, utilizing molecular tools such as SNP analysis, mitochondrial genome sequencing, and noninvasive genetic techniques. While no scientific awards are listed, her contributions to conservation genetics and wildlife management are evident through her prolific publications (2010–2025). No advising or grant details are provided, though her research actively addresses ecological and genetic challenges in endangered species recovery. Dr. Doyle’s interdisciplinary approach bridges fieldwork, laboratory genetics, and educational innovation, reflecting her commitment to both academic rigor and practical conservation outcomes.

Lindsey GrayView profile

Research Fellow

• Nutrition
• Gene-Environment Interaction
• Phenotypic Plasticity
• +6 more

Lindsey Gray is a Research Fellow at the University of Sydney's School of Life and Environmental Sciences and a member of the Charles Perkins Centre. With a PhD in Biological Sciences and expertise in nutrition, conservation, and ancient DNA techniques, she specializes in endangered species research and science communication. 2015 PhD, University of Sydney 2007 BSc(Hons), University of Sydney 2010 Graduate Certificate in Journalism, Charles Sturt University Her research focuses on gene-environment interactions in endangered species, particularly Kakapo and kiwi. She uses natural history collections and modern genetic tools to study phenotypic plasticity and conservation strategies. Recent publications emphasize evolutionary physiology, ancient DNA analysis, and nutritional ecology. Key projects include Kiwi Chick Nutrition and Hidden Past of the Macleay Kakapo , both addressing conservation challenges through interdisciplinary approaches. 2024 BirdLife Australia Community Conservation Grant 2024 Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund 2024 Birds New Zealand Research Fund Grant 2015 Thermo-Fisher Science Communication Prize Gray has co-supervised projects at the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA and contributed to science outreach through 7+ media appearances. She also develops educational resources like Easy R Statistics for conservation researchers.

• Molecular Developmental Physiology
• Insect Neurobiology
• Signal Transduction
• +4 more

Jozef Vanden Broeck is a full professor at the Faculty of Sciences , KU Leuven , affiliated with the Department of Biology and Animal Physiology and Neurobiology division. His research spans molecular developmental physiology, signal transduction, and RNA pathways in insects, particularly locusts. Research Topics: Molecular physiology of insect development, neuropeptide signaling, transcriptomics, RNA interference, and pest control strategies Projects: Eclosion hormone receptor studies in desert locusts, microRNA loading in extracellular vesicles, genotype-dependent digestion plasticity in black soldier flies, and neuropeptide roles in molting and reproduction Recent publications highlight his work on AKH receptors , resilin biomechanics , and CRF-DH receptor signaling . His lab explores insect hormones, extracellular RNA communication, and novel pest management approaches using biostable neuropeptide analogs. Despite extensive collaboration and supervision roles in grants, no awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts.

Ehab AbouheifView profile

Professor

• Developmental regulatory genes
• Ecology and evolution
• Evolutionary developmental biology
• +3 more

Ehab Abouheif is the James McGill Professor in the Department of Biology at McGill University's Faculty of Science. His research focuses on evolutionary developmental biology, particularly in ants, exploring how developmental mechanisms drive evolutionary innovations and social complexity. Key areas include gene networks, morphological evolution, and the interplay between ecology, development, and evolution. His work bridges ecology and developmental genetics, examining how environmental factors influence phenotypic plasticity and caste differentiation in ants. Notable contributions include studies on wing polyphenism, programmed cell death mechanisms, and the evolution of superorganism complexity in arid regions. Abouheif's lab integrates cutting-edge imaging techniques like nano-CT to study larval development and organ coordination in soldier ants. Abouheif has published extensively on topics such as gene regulatory networks, ecological genomics, and the origins of social behavior. His research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, fostering collaboration across biology, ecology, and developmental genetics. Despite no explicitly listed awards or grants in the provided text, his contributions have advanced eco-evo-devo frameworks and ant model systems. His lab (Abouheif Lab Website) serves as a hub for exploring evolutionary transitions, particularly in social insects, and his work continues to address fundamental questions about how developmental systems evolve to produce novel traits and social structures.