Durrell Kapan

Dr. Durrell Kapan is a Senior Research Fellow at the California Academy of Sciences, affiliated with the Entomology department and the Center for Comparative Genomics. His work focuses on transdisciplinary approaches to address challenges in conservation, emerging infectious diseases, and forest resilience in changing climates. He collaborates closely with the MicroLife lab, led by Dr. Shannon Bennett, and other departments including Ornithology and Mammalogy.

Research interests include the genomics of insects such as Heliconius butterflies and Hawaiian mosquitoes, metapopulation biology of mosquitoes and their pathogens, and forest ecosystem dynamics. Notable projects include the iNaturalist Mosquitoes in Hawaii Project (engaging 130+ citizen scientists) and the Global Mosquito Alert Consortium, aimed at combating pathogens like dengue and Zika. Collaborations with the Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forests project (with Jack Dumbacher and Pat Manley) explore avian community resilience.

Contact: dkapan@calacademy.org