Eben Gering

Eben Gering is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Nova Southeastern University within the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences. His work spans evolutionary biology, animal behavior, and zoonotic disease ecology, focusing on how human-impacted organisms adapt to novel environments.

• Education: PhD in Integrative Biology (University of Texas at Austin, 2013), MS in Biological Sciences (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2007), BS in Ecology/Evolution (University of Arizona, 2001)

His research explores feralization (domesticated species returning to wild states), invasive species genetics, and parasite-host interactions. Key projects include genomic studies of Hawaiian feral chickens and behavioral impacts of Toxoplasma gondii infections in hyenas. Recent publications highlight trends in evolutionary ecology, genomic admixture, and environmental pathogen monitoring.

Scientific Collaborations:

• Co-authored 6+ studies with David Wright on feral chicken genomics
• Collaborated with Kay Holekamp and Thomas Getty on Toxoplasma gondii behavioral effects
• Worked with Zachary Laubach on wildlife disease ecology
• Contributed to UN Sustainable Development Goals for planetary health

As an educator, Dr. Gering teaches biology, genetics, and research methods while mentoring graduate and undergraduate researchers. He co-founded the Science Under The Stars lecture series and partners with Data Nuggets for STEM outreach.