Thomas B. Smith

Thomas B. Smith is a distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA. As a founding Co-Director of the Center for Tropical Research and the Congo Basin Institute in Cameroon, he has led interdisciplinary efforts in biodiversity conservation, evolutionary ecology, and climate change mitigation across tropical regions for over 35 years. His work spans Central and West Africa, the Amazon, and beyond.

• Research Focus: Tropical biodiversity, avian ecology, human-altered ecosystems, and climate change impacts.
• Awards: Recognized with multiple academic honors, though specific titles are not listed.
• Collaborations: Partnerships with National Geographic Society, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, and global conservation teams.