Christopher T. Ivey

Christopher T. Ivey is a Professor in the Biological Sciences Department at California State University, Chico, within the College of Natural Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia and completed postdoctoral research at Florida International University and the University of Virginia. His research focuses on evolutionary ecology, plant mating system evolution, reproductive ecology, plant-insect interactions, and plant defense mechanisms. He leads the Ivey Lab, which explores topics such as the evolution of reproductive strategies in plants and adaptation in response to environmental pressures like climate change.

Dr. Ivey's teaching portfolio includes courses such as Principles of Ecological, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology (BIOL 152), Evolution (BIOL 302), and Advanced Plant Biology (BIOL 369). He has redesigned BIOL 152 to integrate adaptive learning technologies, aiming to improve student outcomes through personalized learning and active classroom engagement. This redesign includes peer mentoring programs and optional online resources to enhance accessibility and affordability.

His recent research projects include studying the divergence of photosynthetic rates and outcrossing in Clarkia species, and the climatic adaptation of Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) phenology using large-scale provenance trials. He collaborates extensively, with student co-authors contributing to many publications. Dr. Ivey's work bridges fundamental ecological research with practical applications in conservation biology and education innovation.

He advises multiple students, including B. W. S. MacDonald, H. Ramirez, and J. W. Wright, and his lab maintains an active presence through a dedicated website (http://ctivey3.wixsite.com/iveylab). His contributions extend to academic service, including peer reviews and curriculum development initiatives like MERLOT's adaptive learning modules.