News
Fri, 01/12/2024
Age-dependent extinction and the neutral theory of biodiversity (Opens in new window)
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) features article from James G. Saulsbury, postdoctoral researcher in EEB and the Biodiversity Institute. Like people, species have lifespans: they originate at some time, get older, and eventually go extinct. This new work shows that a simple and well-known model in ecology, known as neutral theory, can account for the “lifespans” or durations of species in the fossil record.
Thu, 01/11/2024
Drs. Jorge Soberon and Town Peterson are named Distinguished Fellows of the International Biogeography Society!
University Distinguished Professors in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Town Peterson and Jorge Soberón, who is also director of the KU Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum, have been named 2024 International Biogeography Society Distinguished Fellows. Fellows are chosen for their significant contributions to the society’s objectives via “brilliance in basic research and great service to the area of biogeography.” IBS Distinguished Fellow Award – International Biogeography Society
Tue, 12/19/2023
Research offers a reason why diversity in plant species causes higher farming yield, solving ‘a bit of a mystery’
A study appearing in Nature Communications based on field and greenhouse experiments at the University of Kansas shows how a boost in agricultural yield comes from planting diverse crops rather than just one plant species: Soil pathogens harmful to plants have a harder time thriving.
Mon, 12/11/2023
Ecology and evolutionary biology professor receives NSF Career Award
LAWRENCE – Kelly Matsunaga, assistant curator of paleobotany and Thomas N. Taylor Assistant Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, has received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation. ...
Mon, 12/04/2023
Curator Kelly Matsunaga receives NSF Career Award
Assistant curator of paleobotany at the Biodiversity Institute and Thomas N. Taylor assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, Kelly Matsunaga, has been awarded a CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation. The CAREER is a 5-year grant. Total award amount is $946,323. The project will investigate how the widespread and ancient group of plants known as conifers (examples: pines, junipers, redwoods) evolved over the last 300 million years in response to a changing planet. "We will integrate information from living species and the extensive fossil record of the group to reconstruct evolutionary relationships, investigate evolutionary dynamics through time, and test hypotheses on the evolution of conifer reproductive organs," Matsunaga said. "As part of the project, I will offer a new research-based course on plant anatomy and development, and create a new permanent exhibit in the KU Natural History Museum."
Thu, 11/30/2023
University Teaching Awards (Opens in new window)
Chancellor Girod hosted the University Teaching Awards on Nov. 7 in the Big 12 Room of the Kansas Union. You can watch the ceremony and clip of Trevor Rivers receiving his award. Rivers, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology assistant teaching professor, received the Bob & Kathie Taylor Excellence in Teaching Award.
Thu, 11/09/2023
Rafe Brown is inaugural recipient of KUIA Advisory Board International Research Award
Thu, 11/02/2023
Kristen Baum will lead Monarch Watch
LAWRENCE — Monarch Watch, an international program at the University of Kansas dedicated to the conservation and study of monarch butterflies, has a new director. Kristen Baum, well known for her work on monarchs and pollinators, began this week as director of Monarch Watch and as a senior scientist at...
Thu, 10/26/2023
Bruce Lieberman receives 2023 David Shulenburger Award for Innovation & Advocacy in Scholarly Communication (Opens in new window)
The Shulenburger Award recognizes KU faculty, staff, students and academic departments who champion open access and innovation in scholarly communication. Lieberman was chosen as a recipient for his efforts to convert a prestigious and extensive subscription-based journal into a broadly accessible open access resource.
Mon, 10/23/2023
Research shows climate change boosts likelihood of toxin releases from algal blooms in American lakes
Wed, 10/18/2023
KU BIOLOGY HOMECOMING TAILGATE OCTOBER 28: FREE BREAKFAST FOOD & DRINK (Opens in new window)
Join KU Biology for a Homecoming Tailgate Saturday, October 28 at 9:00 AM! Location: Natural History Museum Lawn, Dyche Hall. Time: 9:00 AM (Game at 11:00 AM). Students, Alumni, Faculty & Staff are all invited to attend this free event put on by the Undergraduate Biology Program, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology & Department of Molecular Biosciences. Please RSVP!
Wed, 10/18/2023
KU Field Station plans prescribed burn in Baldwin Woods (Opens in new window)
The prescribed burn in the Baldwin Woods Forest Preserve is a traditional management tool for woodlands, needed to control encroaching invasive plant species. KU Field Station staff will conduct the burn in partnership with Kansas Forest Service. The burn will take place the week of Oct. 23-27.
Tue, 10/17/2023
Call for nominations for 2024 research awards: Due by Nov. 1 (Opens in new window)
Recommend a colleague for awards recognizing excellence among faculty, staff and postdoctoral researchers. Nominations are open for Higuchi-KU Endowment Research Achievement Awards, the Steven F. Warren Research Achievement Award and other KU research achievement awards. Winners are recognized in the spring.
Thu, 10/12/2023
Check out the new article in PLOS Biology (Opens in new window)
“A few essential genetic loci distinguish Penstemon species with flowers adapted to pollination by bees or hummingbirds.” This new study published in September shows that specific variations in the attributes of wildflowers, depending on their pollinators, can be attributed to a certain number of key genetic distinctions. Ultimately, these wildflowers have evolved to cater to specific animal pollinators. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology’s Lena Hileman, John Kelly, and Amanda Katzer are part of this study and recent publication.
Thu, 10/12/2023
Celebrate National Fossil Day at NHM on Sunday Oct. 15 (Opens in new window)
Explore the diversity of life preserved in the fossil record with KU researchers and students. Learn about global change through time, hear about KU paleontology fieldwork and try fun hands-on learning activities for all ages. Event takes place 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday Oct. 15 at the National History Museum.
Tue, 10/10/2023
Show Your Support for the EEB GSO Fundraiser (Opens in new window)
The KU Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Graduate Student Organization (EEB GSO) have once again partnered with KU Endowment to put on their largest fundraising effort of the year, the LaunchKU online crowdfunding initiative (formerly known as Ever Onward). This campaign supports EEB GSO student travel awards, research support, and science outreach programming. This year’s campaign is now in full swing, and will continue to run from Tuesday, October 10, to Friday, November 10.
Mon, 10/09/2023
Lunch & Learn Oct. 11: You’re Invited
All are welcome and the food is a first come, first serve basis.
KU Indigenous Scholars Annalise Guthrie, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, and Kelly Beym, Geography & Atmospheric Science, are preparing for the 2023 AISES National Conference Graduate Oral Presentations. The event takes place Wednesday, October 11th at 12:00 PM in the OMA Classroom. Each student will have 20 minutes to present and answer questions.
If you have any questions, please contact rockchalk.aises@gmail.com.
Fri, 10/06/2023
Celebrate ‘Coretoberfest’ with the Office of Research (Opens in new window)
How well do you know KU core labs? Come to Coretoberfest from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 12. to learn how these facilities and the experts who lead them can support your research. The event at the Burge Union includes door prizes, networking, appetizers and drinks. RSVP online.
Thu, 10/05/2023
Rafe Brown Receives KUIA International Research Award
Rafe Brown, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and curator at the Biodiversity Institute, is the inaugural recipient of the International Affairs Advisory Board International Research Award. This new award recognizes KU faculty members who have provided outstanding leadership in international education through their research and discovery efforts.
Wed, 10/04/2023
Monarch butterfly sendoff a success
Professor Victor Gonzales, KU students, and members of Monarch Watch recently bid farewell for now to the Monarch butterfly as part of a group effort to bring fun and education to the public about the Monarch butterfly and its migration.
Tue, 10/03/2023
Undergraduate Biology Student Researcher: Natalie Herbision (Opens in new window)
Natalie Herbison is a senior Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology student who recently joined KU faculty, Victor Gonzalez, in Greece this summer for a National Science Foundation REU program on pollinators and climate change. Herbison elaborates on how she became interested in bees and what she has gained from her hands-on research experiences both abroad and nationally. Natalie was also selected to participate at the world-renowned Bee Course in Portal, Arizona which was funded in part by KU’s Entomology Endowment and the Ida H. Hyde Scholarship for Women from the Undergraduate Biology program.
Fri, 09/29/2023
Greenhouse manager keeps biology research alive
Evolutionary research often starts with plants. In fact, the notion of recessive and dominant inherited traits was first documented in peas by Gregor Mendel. So it’s no surprise that KU faculty still use plants in teaching and research to this day. That’s where Patti Beedles comes in. Beedles is the greenhouse manager for the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. She manages two main greenhouses, one in Haworth Hall and one adjacent to Higuchi Hall in KU’s West District.
“One of Patti’s strongest attributes in handling her responsibilities is her ability to listen to others,” said Lena Hileman, professor and chair of ecology & evolutionary biology.
“She hears the plant collections and care needs of researchers and instructors at KU, reflects on their needs and comes up with actionable plans to meet their needs in a timely manner.”
Along with supervising three staff members, Beedles identifies plant care and facility issues that need to be addressed. Conversations with faculty inform this part of her work, and she joined a national professional organization of greenhouse managers to learn best practices from others in her field.
“Recently, Patti was instrumental in helping my lab develop a new soil mixture for our research plants,” Hileman said. “This new mixture provides better drainage and helps keep our plants healthy and our research on track.”
Another element of her work is public outreach. Beedles established “greenhouse office hours” every Thursday afternoon for members of the KU community to learn about the collections and see firsthand the beauty among the plants. She also works with local K-12 educators to bring students into the greenhouse, helping younger students see the relationships between plants and people.
Fri, 09/29/2023
Two of EEB’s own receive Faculty Kudos!
University Distinguished Professors in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Town Peterson and Jorge Soberón, who is also director of the KU Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum, have been named 2024 International Biogeography Society Distinguished Fellows. Fellows are chosen for their significant contributions to the society’s objectives via “brilliance in basic research and great service to the area of biogeography.”
Thu, 09/28/2023
Science on Tap is back on September 28 (Opens in new window)
Science On Tap, a long-running public science communication partnership with Free State Brewing Company, returns this fall, kicking off Sept. 28 with “Ancient Forests and the Origin of Flowering Plant-Dominated Ecosystems,” presented by Brian Atkinson, assistant professor of ecology & evolutionary biology and curator of paleobotany at the KU Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum. The series features an engaging research presentation in Free State's beer hall, followed by a Q&A session.
Thu, 09/28/2023
KU Field Station is part of a worldwide effort to study and protect birds (Opens in new window)
Researchers at the Kansas Biological Survey are using technology to track migratory birds that pass through Lawrence. Both KU and K-State scientists are part of Motus, a worldwide effort to study and protect our feathered friends. Motus is a network of hundreds of tracking stations located around the world, but especially in North America. Sixteen are in Kansas, with more on the way. And they’re providing, for the first time, exact information on bird movement.
Mon, 09/25/2023
Plan to Attend the inaugural University Teaching Awards Nov. 7 (Opens in new window)
This event will begin a new annual tradition of convening all winners of KU's annual teaching awards – from the Lawrence and KU Medical Center campuses – to be recognized and celebrated at a single event. Trevor Rivers, assistant teaching professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, will be recognized as a recipient of the Bob & Kathie Taylor Excellence in Teaching Award.
Mon, 09/25/2023
HASTA LUEGO MONARCHS Saturday, Sept. 30
Join Professor Victor Gonzales, and The Johnson County Extension Master Naturalists, in association with Monarch Watch, who are hosting a free, family-friendly sendoff to say "see you later" to the magnificent Monarch butterfly! The event will take place 9 AM-2 PM Sept. 30 at Pollinator Prairie: 320 S. Blake St., Olathe, KS 66061.
Thu, 09/21/2023
Two KU doctoral students receive Fulbright-Hays dissertation award
LAWRENCE — Two doctoral candidates at the University of Kansas have been awarded the prestigious Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Award, receiving a combined $92,000 to conduct research in South America. ...