Kenneth Petren

Kenneth Petren is Professor and former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at University of Cincinnati, leading research on evolutionary processes in natural populations. His lab employs molecular genetics and field studies to examine speciation, dispersal, and species interactions, with signature work on Darwin's finches and invasive geckos.

Research integrates landscape genetics, behavioral ecology, and genomic approaches to reconstruct migration histories and adaptive radiations. Field sites span Galápagos Islands, southeastern US, and Ohio, combining mark-recapture studies with genomic analyses.

Notable grants include NSF support for REU Site development in Sensory Ecology and IMLS-funded conservation genomics of endangered birds. Research outputs significantly advance understanding of how peripheral isolation drives evolutionary diversification.