Mark McKone

Mark McKone is the Towsley Professor of Biology and Research Supervisor of Cowling Arboretum at Carleton College, where he has been employed since 1987. He holds a BS from Cornell College and MS/PhD from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. An evolutionary ecologist, McKone studies plant-insect interactions with focus on prairie plant reproductive biology and evolutionary impacts of seed predators.

Research Focus: His work spans evolutionary ecology, prairie ecosystem dynamics, and species interactions. Key projects include:

• 23-year study of masting and fire-stimulated flowering in prairies
• Long-term monitoring of poison-dart frog habitats in Costa Rica
• Experimental restoration ecology in tallgrass prairies

Teaching: Regularly instructs courses including Evolution, Population Ecology, Evolution of Sex and Sexes, and Introductory Biology. Mentors students through Directed Research and Critical Reading seminars.

Professional Affiliations:

• Ecological Society of America (since 1978)
• Society for the Study of Evolution (since 1979)
• Botanical Society of America (since 1984)
• American Society of Naturalists (since 1988)