Dr. Nico Franz

Dr. Nico Franz
  • Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • Krishtalka Director, Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum
  • Research Interests: Biocollections infrastructure and services, Biodiversity data science, Insect systematics and evolution, Societal engagement

Contact Info

785-864-4540
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Blvd
Lawrence, KS 66045

Biography —

Dr. Franz is an evolutionary biologist and insect systematist specializing in weevils. His research program also focuses on developing innovative, equitable biocollections infrastructure and biodiversity data science services. Visit the Symbiota website for more information.

Education —

Prediploma in Biology, University of Hamburg, 1996
M.Sc. in Biology, University of Costa Rica, 1999
Ph.D. in Systematic Entomology , Cornell University, 2005

Research —

See Google Scholar Profile. 

Research interests:

  • Biocollections infrastructure and services
  • Biodiversity data science
  • Insect systematics and evolution
  • Societal engagement

Selected Publications —

Bentley A, Thiers B, Moser We, Watkins-Colwell GJ, Zimkus BM, Monfils AK, Franz NM, Bates JM, Boundy-Mills K, Lomas MW, Ellwood ER, Poo S, Contreras DL, Webster MS, Nelson G, Pandey JL. 2024. Community action: planning for specimen management in funding proposals. BioScience, 2024, biae032. DOI 10.1093/biosci/biae032

Sterner B, Elliott S, Gilbert EE, Franz NM. 2023. Unified and pluralistic ideals for data sharing and reuse in biodiversity. Database, 2023, baad048. DOI 10.1093/database/baad048

Thibault KM, Laney CM, Yule KM, Franz NM, Mabee PM. 2023. The US National Ecological Observatory Network and the Global Biodiversity Framework: national research infrastructure with a global reach. Journal of Ecology and Environment 47:21. DOI 10.5141/jee.23.076

Johnston MA, Smith AD, Kanda K, Kamiński MJ, Naverette P, Sanchez LA, Aalbu RL, Miller KB, Wheeler QD, Franz NM. 2022. Testing the taxonomy of Amphidorini Leconte (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): a molecular phylogeny leveraging museum sequencing. Annales Zoologici 72(1): 49-68. DOI 10.3161/00034541ANZ2022.72.1.003

Jansen MA, Niverty S, Chawla N, Franz NM. 2021. Reducing the risk of rostral bending failure in Curculio Linnaeus, 1758. Acta Biomaterialia 126: 350-371. DOI 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.029

Sterner BW, Gilbert EE, Franz NM. 2020. Decentralized but globally coordinated biodiversity data. Frontiers in Big Data 3, 2020, 519133. DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fdata.2020.519133