Neil Tsutsui

Neil Tsutsui is a Professor and Michelbacher Chair in Education at the University of California, Berkeley, affiliated with the Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management. His research focuses on the behavior, genetics, and chemical ecology of social insects, particularly ants, and their roles in biodiversity conservation. He leads the Tsutsui Lab, which combines field and laboratory studies to investigate ant communication, invasion biology, and ecological impacts. Tsutsui is also active in science outreach, including educational programs for schools and public talks on biodiversity preservation.

Education:

• PhD in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution from UC San Diego
• BA in Biology (Marine Science specialization) from Boston University

Research Interests:

• Chemical communication in ants
• Evolution of social behavior
• Invasive species ecology (e.g., Argentine ants)
• Biodiversity conservation and science education

Teaching:

• Course topics include insect behavior, molecular environmental biology, conservation studies, and chemical ecology
• Supervises independent research through courses like ESPM 99/199/299

Labs/Teams:

• Director of the Tsutsui Lab at UC Berkeley
• Collaborates on initiatives like Big-Bee and LTREB-funded projects