Matthew Zinkgraf

Matthew Zinkgraf is an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at Western Washington University (WWU), part of the College of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on ecological and evolutionary genetics of plants, integrating computational biology, molecular biology, and forest ecology. He holds a B.S. in Biology and Natural Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (2001), an M.S. in Natural Resources (2004), and a Ph.D. in Biology from Northern Arizona University (2012). Postdoctoral fellowships included work at the U.S. Forest Service and the NSF Plant Genome Research Program. His lab explores genetic variation in forest trees, adaptation mechanisms, and ecologically important traits like wood formation and stress resistance.

His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, including genomic and computational methods to study tree genetics. Notable research themes include landscape-scale genetic structuring, evolutionary processes influencing adaptation, and the genetic basis of economically relevant traits. Zinkgraf is also an advocate for mentorship in science, reflecting his own journey as a first-generation student. Outside academia, he is an outdoor enthusiast, woodworker, and fly-fishing enthusiast, often combining craftsmanship with scientific curiosity.

Publications highlight studies on Populus species, ectomycorrhizal fungi interactions, and genetic modifiers in neurodegenerative disease models. His research bridges fundamental biology with applied challenges in forest ecosystems and climate resilience.