Deanna Byrnes

Deanna Byrnes is a Professor of Biology and Dean of the Division of Natural and Social Sciences at Carthage College. She also serves as Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs. Her academic journey includes a B.S. in Biology from Cornell University (emphasis in ecology, evolution, and systematics) and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2005). Her research focuses on bat ecology and evolution, combining fieldwork and molecular genetics to study species distribution patterns in tropical ecosystems.

Key research interests include the evolutionary relationships of bare-backed fruit bats, morphological adaptation in island ecosystems, and conservation of Wisconsin bat populations through citizen science programs with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Fieldwork locations include Indonesia, Melanesia, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Belize, Sulawesi, and Papua New Guinea. She actively mentors undergraduate researchers in ecological field techniques and biodiversity studies.

No scientific awards explicitly listed. Grants and sponsored programs are managed through her administrative role. Her teaching and research emphasize hands-on ecological exploration, integrating laboratory analysis with outdoor environmental studies.