Fredric Jay Janzen

Fredric Jay Janzen serves as Institute/Center Director of the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) and Professor in the Ecology, Evolution & Behavior Program at Michigan State University's College of Natural Science. His research integrates molecular, organismal, and field-based approaches to address fundamental questions in evolutionary ecology.

His primary research focuses on:

• Biological significance of diverse sex-determining mechanisms (especially temperature-dependent)
• Genetic and environmental impacts on early life-history traits
• Population genetic structure and conservation of reptiles
• Climate change effects on sex ratios and habitat adaptation

Janzen's work primarily utilizes reptiles—particularly turtles—as model organisms due to their exceptional diversity in life-history strategies and sex-determination systems. His laboratory maintains active field sites at KBS in Southwest Michigan, with long-term studies on turtle populations.

Research funding has been consistently supported by National Science Foundation grants including DEB-9629529, DEB-9741936, DEB-9841830, DEB-9941689, IBN-0080194, DEB-0089680, IBN-0212935, DEB-0640932, DEB-1242510, and IOS-1257857. His lab actively participates in KBS educational programs including Turtle Camp for students.