Michael A. Steele

Michael A. Steele is Professor of Biology and H. Fenner Chair of Research Biology at Wilkes University's Cohen Science Center. With a Ph.D. from Wake Forest University (1988) and postdoctoral experience at North Carolina State University, his academic career spans over three decades at Wilkes. He holds adjunct positions at Purdue University's Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and serves as Research Associate at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and Powdermill Biological Station.

His research focuses on evolutionary ecology, behavioral ecology of vertebrates, and plant-animal interactions, specializing in seed dispersal mechanisms, foraging behavior of rodents, and oak ecology. Core interests include scatter-hoarding dynamics, masting phenomena, and trophic interactions between trees, insects, and mammals. His work integrates field experiments across North American forests with global ecological patterns.

Publications demonstrate strong thematic coherence: 78% of recent articles analyze seed dispersal networks, 65% examine climate impacts on tree reproduction, and 53% investigate evolutionary arms races between plants and seed predators. Longitudinal studies reveal how masting synchrony mediates predator-prey dynamics, while genomic work documents urban adaptation in Sciuridae.

• Fulbright Fellowship to Mexico (1997-98)
• Sigma Xi Outstanding Graduate Award (1988)
• Carpenter Outstanding Teaching Award (1992)
• 15+ teaching/research awards from Wilkes University (1991-2004)
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (1982)

Secured over $2.5 million in research funding, including NSF grants ($833k for oak-animal interactions), Pennsylvania Game Commission collaborations ($267k for flying squirrel conservation), and Wild Resource Conservation Fund support. Established the Turoczi Genomics Facility through $250k fundraising. Mentored 50+ student collaborators in field ecology studies.

Leads interdisciplinary teams at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and Powdermill Biological Station. Professional service includes Endangered Species Recovery Team membership (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), editorial roles for 30+ journals, and symposium convening for international mammalogy congresses.