Joshua P. Der

Joshua P. Der is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Science at California State University, Fullerton. He holds a PhD from Utah State University, an MS from Southern Illinois University, and a BS from Humboldt State University. His research focuses on plant biodiversity evolution, particularly in ferns and parasitic plants, with expertise in comparative genomics, population genetics, and molecular evolution. He regularly teaches courses in evolution, plant biology, and taxonomy.

Dr. Der’s research integrates genomic and phylogenetic approaches to study adaptation and conservation strategies, using California native species as model systems. His work has contributed to landmark studies on fern genomes, plant-parasite interactions, and symbiotic relationships. Recent publications highlight advancements in understanding plastome evolution, transcriptomic responses in insects, and large-scale phylogenomic analyses of plant diversity.

His academic contributions include collaborative projects on bumblebee genomics and global fern phylogeny, reflecting interdisciplinary engagement in both basic and applied plant science. While no scientific awards are explicitly listed, his extensive publication record demonstrates significant scholarly impact in evolutionary and genomic research.

Dr. Der’s teaching spans undergraduate and graduate levels, emphasizing hands-on inquiry through courses like Principles of Evolution and Plant Taxonomy. His research lab likely focuses on genomic resources and field studies of plant biodiversity, though specific lab names are not mentioned in the provided texts.