Maren Vitousek

Maren Vitousek is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on how organisms adapt to environmental challenges through hormonal and behavioral flexibility, with particular emphasis on tree swallows as a model system. She holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University (2008) and a B.A. from Amherst College (2002).

Her academic interests span Community Ecology, Population Biology, Evolutionary Patterns and Processes, and Sustainability, with a focus on endocrinology, stress physiology, and phenotypic flexibility. Her lab investigates the interplay between environmental context, social interactions, and physiological responses to stressors, addressing questions about resilience, life history trade-offs, and evolutionary adaptation.

Teaching responsibilities include courses such as BioEE 1780: Introduction to Evolutionary Biology and Diversity, BioEE 4660: Physiological Ecology, and BioEE 7650: Special Topics in Evolution and Ecology. She actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students in research projects related to ecology, evolution, and conservation biology.

Her work has been featured in news articles discussing bird behavior, climate change impacts, and stress biology. The Vitousek Lab collaborates extensively, leveraging field and experimental studies to advance understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes.