Evolutionary Biology

Faculty and graduate students in the Evolutionary Biology group use experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches to address fundamental questions in evolutionary biology. As a group, we focus our research on the evolution of biological interactions.  Current interests of Kent State evolutionary biology faculty include:

 (1) evolutionary dynamics of interacting genes and genomes (such as molecular evolution of gene families, or cytoplasmic-nuclear interactions)

 (2) evolution, genetics, and ecology of intraspecific interactions (such as plant and animal mating systems, animal movement, and group behavior)

 (3) ecological and evolutionary consequences of interspecific interactions (such as plant-pollinator, native-invasive, or host-pathogen relationships).

Members of our group are currently funded by the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institutes of Health, and other agencies.

 

Graduate Training Opportunities

Students working in the area of evolutionary biology are usually enrolled in the M.S. or Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences (Ecology specialization). Faculty and graduate students combine lab work with field studies and computational approaches, with a strong emphasis on using molecular techniques to evolutionary and ecological problems.