Megan V. Phifer-Rixey

Megan V. Phifer-Rixey is an Associate Professor of Biology at Drexel University's College of Arts and Sciences. She is an evolutionary biologist combining genomics, population genetics, and fieldwork to study adaptation in changing environments, particularly in urban contexts and marine systems. Her lab also participates in educational initiatives like the virtual Laboratory Meeting Programme (LaMP) to promote STEM diversity.

• University of Pennsylvania, PhD in Biology (2009)
• Duke University, BS in Biology (2001)

Her research interests span evolutionary genetics, environmental adaptation, and genomics of urbanization. She uses wild house mice (Mus musculus) as a primary model system to investigate genotype-phenotype-fitness connections, gene-environment interactions, and parallel evolution. Recent work explores how urbanization drives genetic changes and microbiome dynamics, while earlier projects addressed speciation and climatic adaptation.

Publications reveal a strong focus on environmental genomics, microbiome evolution, and eco-evolutionary modeling. Key collaborations include the Nachman Lab at UC Berkeley and Schmidt Lab at University of Pennsylvania. She currently leads an NSF CAREER grant project studying urban mouse adaptation and mentors students in genomic research and evolutionary ecology.

Awards include:

• NSF CAREER grant (2021)
• NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant (2007-2009)
• European Society for Evolutionary Biology Outreach Grant (2017)
• University of Pennsylvania Dissertation Completion Fellowship (2008-2009)

Her lab at Drexel (PISB 301) recruits for PhD programs and undergraduate research through Drexel STAR and NSF CAREER-supported initiatives. She previously held academic positions at Monmouth University (2016-2023) and postdoctoral roles at UC Berkeley and University of Arizona.