معرفی
Duane McKenna is William Hill Professor in Biology at University of Memphis, where he directs the Center for Biodiversity Research. He teaches courses in Evolution and Entomology while leading research on beetle systematics, genomics, and evolution. His work combines field studies across five continents with molecular phylogenetics and genomic analyses to investigate patterns of insect diversification, particularly the evolution of plant-feeding in beetles.
Dr. McKenna leads major collaborative initiatives including the 1,000 Weevils Phylogeny and Evolution Project and participates in the Insect 5,000 Genomes Project. His NSF-funded research examines the genomic basis of specialized herbivory and chemosensation in beetles. With over 100 publications, his work has appeared in PNAS, Genome Biology, and Systematic Entomology. Fieldwork focuses on biodiversity hotspots in Central/South America, Africa, and Australia, contributing to conservation efforts in threatened ecosystems.
Research Highlights:
- Genomic basis of plant-feeding evolution in beetles
- Antarctic weevil diversification over 50 million years
- Global patterns of tropical insect biodiversity
