Katrina Dlugosch

Katrina Dlugosch is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona, within the College of Science. Her work focuses on the genetics and rapid evolutionary dynamics of ecologically important traits, particularly in invasive species and native species responding to environmental change. She holds editorial roles, including Associate Editor for Evolutionary Applications (2018–present) and co-edited the book Invasion Genetics: The Baker and Stebbins Legacy (2017).

Education: B.S. in Botany and Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from the University of Washington (1998), Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of California Santa Cruz (2006). Postdoctoral training at the University of British Columbia (2007–2010).

Research emphasizes how genetic and environmental variation translates into phenotypic diversity and adaptation. Her lab uses field experiments, quantitative genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics to study invasive species like yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), exploring traits such as drought response, microbial interactions, and genome evolution.

Notable achievements include the NSF CAREER Award (2018) and the College of Science Distinguished Early-Career Teaching Award (2019). Her work bridges basic research with applied challenges in invasion biology and conservation.

Grants and collaborations include studies on plant-microbe interactions, genomic tools for non-model organisms, and the impacts of climate change on species distributions. The Dlugosch Lab actively engages in collaborative projects, leveraging cutting-edge genomic technologies to address ecological and evolutionary questions.