Aquatic Ecologist, Evolutionary Biologist Joins Department of Biological Sciences

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Adam Siepielski

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Adam M. Siepielski will join the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences as an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences this fall. Siepielski comes to the University of Arkansas from the University of San Diego.

"My combined passion for research and teaching in biology have made this a dream come true," Siepielski said. "I am very excited to help students unlock new discoveries, find their passion for science and understand biology."

Siepielski is an ecologist and evolutionary biologist who uses empirical and theoretical approaches to understand the processes that determine the distributions and abundances of organisms. He also studies how evolutionary processes shape the ability of species to persist, especially in aquatic communities. His work integrates population and community ecology, comparative biology and micro- and macro-evolution.

He has received substantial funding including awards from the National Science Foundation and the Beckman Scholars Program. His research has been published in top-tier journals such as Ecology, Ecology Letters, Evolution and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. Siepielski also has extensive teaching experience.

"Dr. Siepielski is an incredibly talented and accomplished researcher," said Steve Beaupre, department chair. "The faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences were thrilled to hire him, and we collectively look forward to seeing his work blossom in Arkansas."

Siepielski received a Bachelor of Science in wildlife and fisheries science from Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Science in biology from New Mexico State University and a doctorate in zoology and physiology from the University of Wyoming.  He conducted postdoctoral work at Dartmouth College.

About the Department of Biological Sciences: The Department of Biological Sciences emphasizes cell and molecular biology, ecology and evolutionary biology.  Biological sciences maintains one of the largest undergraduate majors in the university. Special topics courses, interdisciplinary graduate programs and undergraduate research opportunities expose students to a rigorous background in basic and advanced biology and allow for specialized coursework.