Renee Duckworth

Renee Duckworth is a Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona. Her research integrates ecological and evolutionary principles to understand how complex traits evolve, particularly focusing on behavioral evolution and its impact on population dynamics and macroevolutionary processes. She employs field experiments, molecular genetics, and neuroendocrinology in passerine birds to study topics like maternal effects, epigenetic mechanisms, and species coexistence.

Education:

• Ph.D., Biology, Duke University (2006)
• Postdoctoral Fellowships at Harvard University (2007-2008) and Edinburgh University (2006-2007)

Research Interests: Behavioral evolution, eco-evolutionary feedbacks, maternal effects on dispersal, neuroendocrine mechanisms of personality, and range expansion dynamics. Current projects include studying epigenetic influences on maternal behavior and neuroendocrine bases of personality traits.

Awards:

• NSF CAREER Award (2014-2021)
• 2017 Fellow, American Ornithological Society
• 2009 Young Investigator Prize & Ned K. Johnson Award

Advising & Grants: Duckworth has led NSF-funded projects and advised graduate students in ecological and evolutionary research. Her lab focuses on experimental fieldwork and molecular techniques to bridge ecological and evolutionary timescales.

Labs/Teams: Her lab at the University of Arizona investigates eco-evolutionary dynamics, with ongoing projects on hybridization, maternal effects, and behavioral plasticity in birds.