Michelle Evans-White Named Chair of Biological Sciences

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Michelle Evans-White

Earlier this fall, Michelle Evans-White was named chair of the Department of Biological Sciences in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

Evans-White joined the U of A as an assistant professor of biological sciences in 2008, rising to full professor and vice chair by 2018, before now becoming the first female chair of the Department of Biological Sciences.

"Dr. Michelle Evans-White is an accomplished researcher, educator and leader who we're lucky to have taking over the helm of the Department of Biological Sciences, which is home to the largest number of undergraduate majors on campus," said Kathryn Sloan, interim dean of Fulbright College.

"Her track record of student mentorship and her focus on student success are equally as impressive, and I know great things will continue to happen in biological sciences with Michelle leading the way," Sloan added. "I'm excited to continue to work with her in this new role."

Evans-White is a community and ecosystem ecologist, and much of her research is at the interface of these two ecological levels, with her courses centering on general ecology, community and ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, stream ecology, field ecology and ecological stoichiometry.

One major focus of her research examines how biodiversity affects ecosystem function and how the roles of animals in ecosystems may be modified by anthropogenic factors such as pollutants.

Another major focus of her research examines the ecosystem impacts of host-virus interactions. She is a member of the Host-Virus Evolutionary Dynamics Institute at the U of A and a co-investigator on a $6.1 million National Science Foundation (NSF) Biology Integration Institute Grant.

Evans-White holds the Keck Professorship and Endowed Chair in the Department of Biological Sciences and is a primary or co-primary investigator for grants totaling more than $7.37 million.

Evans-White has also supported recruitment and education of under-represented minorities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for many years. She directs a 15-year old NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Program focusing on Assessment and Sustainable Management of Ecosystem Services at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water Systems; greater than 70% of all the participants have belonged to URM groups.

Additionally, she is also a co-investigator on the Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and United States Energy-Food Biotech Innovations Network (BACCUS), an NSF Research Coordination Network aimed at improving URM collaborations and pathways into STEM.

Furthermore, Evans-White has published dozens of peer-reviewed articles, databases, book chapters and presented at numerous conferences, seminars and workshops, as well as mentored or served on the thesis or dissertation committee of 86 graduate and undergraduate students.

"Leading the Department of Biological Sciences as chair is an exciting next step in my service to the U of A, and it's a role I'm honored to take on," Evans-White said. "I'm very much looking forward to building on the great foundation our department already has, and to supporting our students, faculty and staff as they strive to achieve their academic, research and life goals."

In addition to her chair role, Evans-White also serves as the U of A representative to the American Public Land-Grant University Board of Natural Resources, and the Society for Freshwater Science on its Election and Place Committee, as well as on the U of A's Toxic Substances Committee, among other groups. She also serves as Ex Officio on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Evans-White holds a B.A. in biochemistry, a B.S. in biology and an M.S. in biology from Kansas State University, as well as a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Notre Dame. She was also a post-doctoral research associate at both universities.