Merrill Peterson

Merrill Peterson is a Professor in the Biology Department at Western Washington University, affiliated with the College of Science and Engineering. He holds adjunct roles at Washington State University (since 2015 as Adjunct Professor and earlier as Adjunct Associate Professor). His academic journey includes a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Washington (1987) and a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University (1994). He has served as Chair of the Biology Department (2016–2020) and is Curator of the WWU Insect Collection since 1997.

Research interests span insect biodiversity informatics, ecological and evolutionary processes, and conservation biology. Notable projects include developing web-based tools for insect identification and studying climate impacts on moth communities. His work bridges field observations with genetic analyses, focusing on hybridization and reproductive barriers in insects. He has authored the authoritative Pacific Northwest Insects (2018) and contributed to collaborative biodiversity networks like LepNet.

His publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to entomology, including studies on forest management effects, invasive species impacts, and species distribution dynamics. Awards include the Paul J. Olscamp Research Award (2009) and a Humboldt Foundation Fellowship (2003). Over 100 students have worked in his lab, with many pursuing careers in academia, conservation, and education. He emphasizes mentorship for marginalized students and advocates against institutional power abuses.

Peterson’s career reflects resilience, overcoming early academic challenges and imposter syndrome. Beyond research, he engages in community science, nature photography, and family-centered activism. His personal interests include cooking, German language retention, and documenting PNW biodiversity through citizen science initiatives.