Michael Dillon

Dr. Michael Dillon is Professor and L. Floyd Clarke Chair in Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming. He studies insect responses to environmental challenges across elevation gradients.

Education includes a PhD in Biology from the University of Washington. Research integrates field studies with physiological measurements to understand thermal adaptation, flight energetics, and overwintering strategies in bumble bees. Current NSF-funded projects investigate molecular mechanisms of cold tolerance and climate impacts on alpine insects.

Recent publications demonstrate advances in microclimate modeling, metabolomic profiling, and functional genomics in ecophysiology. Research consistently addresses how climate variability affects insect persistence across spatial scales.

Awards include the Presidential Scholarly Achievement Award and endowed chair recognition. Current advisees include doctoral candidates studying overwintering physiology, flight adaptations, and thermal performance.