Darrell Moore

Darrell Moore serves as Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences within East Tennessee State University's School of Science, Engineering, and Math. His primary appointment at ETSU is augmented by active research collaborations with Washington & Lee University, Penn State York, University of Puerto Rico, Vanderbilt University, and University of Manitoba.

Moore's pioneering research centers on circadian rhythm anomalies in arachnids and insects. He discovered spider species (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) exhibiting extreme circadian periods of 17.8-29.1 hours—defying biological expectations since such deviations typically cause severe pathologies. His investigations into why these spiders thrive combine phylogenetics, mathematical modeling, and molecular techniques. Complementing this, his long-term honey bee studies examine time memory behavior where bees return to food sources at precise daily intervals.

His research program employs an integrated methodology spectrum: evolutionary analysis of clock genes, differential equation modeling of oscillatory systems, mRNA/protein expression assays, and ethological observation. Moore actively expands into chronoecology—studying ecological implications of circadian adaptations—representing frontier chronobiology research.

Professor Moore maintains robust student mentorship through advanced courses including Neurobiology (BIOL 4277), Animal Behavior (BIOL 4357/5357), and Scientific Writing (BIOL 5800). His multi-institutional collaborations indicate sustained grant funding, though specific awards aren't documented. The research consortium he coordinates—spanning molecular, computational, and field approaches—demonstrates significant scholarly infrastructure for circadian studies.

His laboratory operations center on Brown Hall at ETSU, leveraging collaborative networks for comprehensive circadian analysis. Current projects focus on spider clock resilience mechanisms and honey bee temporal foraging strategies, with potential implications for understanding human circadian disorders and evolutionary adaptation.