Corina Tarnita is a Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University, affiliated with the High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI). Her research focuses on understanding complex adaptive systems through theoretical frameworks and empirical integration. She leads the Tarnita Lab, which develops models linking ecological and evolutionary dynamics across scales, from cells to ecosystems. Her work combines evolutionary game theory, network theory, and empirical collaborations in molecular biology, experimental ecology, and field studies. Research interests include the evolution of multicellularity, spatial patterning in ecosystems, and the role of social behavior in bacteria, insects, and humans. Notable contributions include studies on termite-driven vegetation patterns, the evolution of cooperation, and ecological resilience to climate change. Tarnita’s lab emphasizes bridging theoretical predictions with experimental validation through eco-evolutionary experiments, genomic analyses, and field manipulations. Her work has been featured in interdisciplinary collaborations, including studies on large herbivore impacts in African savannas and the ecological significance of microbial interactions. Tarnita’s theoretical contributions address questions of biodiversity, ecosystem robustness, and the emergent properties of collective systems, with applications spanning biology, sociology, and environmental science.











