Matthew Gifford

Matthew Gifford is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Central Arkansas. He earned his PhD from Washington University in St. Louis in 2008 and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Minnesota (2008-2009) before joining UCA in 2014. His research examines physiological and ecological adaptations in reptiles and amphibians, with emphasis on thermal biology, life-history evolution, and anthropogenic impacts.

Research focuses on:

• Thermoregulatory strategies in changing environments
• Life-history responses to human disturbances
• Nutritional ecology of insectivorous predators
• Innovative methods for thermal environment quantification

His publications demonstrate consistent investigation of ectotherm responses to environmental challenges, with recent work emphasizing climate change impacts, methodological innovations in thermal ecology, and conservation physiology. Courses taught include Animal Physiology, Animal Ecological Physiology, and Structure and Function of the Human Body.