Gopal Murali

Gopal Murali is a Postdoctoral Research Associate and Affiliated Faculty at the University of Arizona's Wiens Lab. His research focuses on ecology, evolution, and biodiversity patterns, particularly under environmental changes. He holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolution from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram, preceded by an M.S. in Biology and a B.Tech. in Bioengineering.

Research Interests: Murali applies macroecological and macroevolutionary frameworks to study biodiversity dynamics. His work addresses how climate change impacts species distributions, thermal tolerances, and predator-prey interactions. Key themes include evolutionary rarity, habitat heterogeneity effects, and global threats to vertebrates.

Publications highlight contributions to understanding sexual dimorphism, viviparity in cold climates, and the role of temperature extremes in biodiversity loss. His work bridges theoretical models with field observations, emphasizing conservation implications.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Wiens Lab, focusing on integrative ecology and evolution. Collaborates globally, including with researchers at Ben-Gurion University and institutions in India.