Cedric C. Muir

Cedric C. Muir is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, located within the College of Natural and Health Sciences (CNHS). His research focuses on ecological genetics, agro-ecology, and conservation biology, with a particular emphasis on understanding evolutionary processes in Hawaiian ecosystems. He investigates topics such as local adaptation in species like the Picture-winged Drosophila and endemic shrimp (Halocaridina rubra), as well as the genetic basis of disease susceptibility in human populations.

Dr. Muir teaches courses including Evolution, Conservation Genetics, and Ecological Genetics, integrating hands-on fieldwork and lab techniques into his pedagogy. His work on Big Island Tea explores sustainable agricultural practices aligned with native ecosystems, emphasizing genomic and phytochemical analysis. Collaborations include studies on marine organisms like the Oʻopu goby with partners from DLNR-DAR and Louisiana State University.

He holds a PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Simon Fraser University (1998). His research also addresses food security challenges in Hawaiʻi, leveraging the island’s unique climatic diversity for ecological and genetic studies.