Nelson Ting

Nelson Ting is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology and the Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Oregon, where he leads the Ting Lab. His work bridges the disciplines of anthropology, ecology, and evolutionary biology with a focus on conservation applications. He also co-directs the University of Oregon Molecular Anthropology Group, serving as an intellectual hub for primate ecological, evolutionary, and functional genetics/genomics research, training, and outreach.

• B.A. in Biology and Anthropology, Washington University (1999)
• M.A. in Anthropology, University of Missouri (2001)
• Ph.D. in Anthropology, City University of New York Graduate Center (2008)

Ting's research lies at the intersections of genetics/genomics, evolutionary ecology, and conservation in natural animal populations, with a particular emphasis on mammals inhabiting the African tropics. His work combines lab-based methods, fieldwork, and computational approaches to elucidate processes that drive diversity, adaptation, and health. He investigates population history to understand environmental change effects, infers abundance for population monitoring, clarifies demography and social behavior in threatened taxa, and studies host-microbe and host-pathogen relationships to connect evolution, environment, behavior, and health. His ultimate goal is to inform conservation decisions and aid in the designation of conservation priorities for endangered species.

An analysis of Ting's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on primate conservation genomics, with particular emphasis on African colobus monkeys and forest elephants. His work increasingly integrates host-microbiome interactions with traditional conservation genetics approaches. The research spans molecular techniques from population genetics to whole genome analyses, often connecting ecological observations with genetic data to address conservation challenges. A growing trend in his publications involves interdisciplinary collaborations that bridge field ecology, laboratory genomics, and community-based conservation approaches.

• National Science Foundation funding for primate conservation research
• National Institutes of Health funding for host-pathogen interaction studies
• National Geographic Society funding for elephant hybridization research
• Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research funding
• Scientific advisor on the Red Colobus Working Group
• Member of the IUCN African Elephant Specialist Group
• Member of the IUCN Conservation Genetics Specialist Group

Professor Ting has mentored numerous graduate students through the Anthropology, Biology, and Environmental Studies doctoral programs at the University of Oregon. His lab has received substantial grant funding from major organizations including the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Geographic Society, and Wenner-Gren Foundation. His research often involves international collaboration with scientists and conservationists in Africa, particularly in Uganda and Gabon, where his team conducts fieldwork on endangered primates and other mammals. Ting is dedicated to translating scientific findings into actionable conservation strategies and policy recommendations.

The Ting Lab, located in Pacific Hall, is part of the University of Oregon's Molecular Anthropology Group and maintains strong connections with the Institute of Ecology and Evolution. The lab brings together researchers with expertise in molecular genetics, bioinformatics, field ecology, and conservation science to address pressing questions in wildlife conservation. Current projects focus on African forest elephants, red colobus monkeys, and other threatened species in tropical ecosystems, employing cutting-edge genomic approaches to inform conservation priorities.