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Joel McGlothlin

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
mcglothlin
4038 Derring Hall (MC 0406)
926 West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
USA

Major Field of Interest

Evolutionary Biology

Current Research

Research in the McGlothlin Lab focuses on the evolution of complex phenotypes. We are interested both in how selection shapes integrated groups of traits and in the genetic and physiological mechanisms that underlie such trait groups. We tackle these problems using both empirical and theoretical approaches and incorporate ideas and techniques from diverse fields, including evolutionary genetics, behavioral ecology, and physiology.

  • 2012-18 Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech, Dept. of Biological Sciences 
  • 2011-12 Research Scientist, University of Virginia, Dept. of Biology 
  • 2007-11 Research Associate, University of Virginia, Dept. of Biology 
  • 2007 Ph.D., Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, Indiana University, Biology. Dissertation: Phenotypic integration of sexually selected traits in a songbird (Ellen D. Ketterson, advisor) 
  • 2001 B.A. (summa cum laude), Biology (Honors), Vanderbilt University, Biology. Honors thesis: Investigations of gene flow using molecular markers in the white campion, Silene alba (David E. McCauley, advisor) 
  • 2011 Theodosius Dobzhansky Prize, Society for the Study of Evolution 
  • 2010 Jasper Loftus-Hills Young Investigators Award, American Society of Naturalists 
  • 2005-07 NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant. NIH Research Trainee: “Common Themes in Reproductive Diversity” 
  • 2005 Fellow, Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior (CISAB). Louis Agassiz Fuertes Award, Wilson Ornithological Society 
  • 2001-05 Fellow, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program 
  • 2001 Founder’s Medal for First Honors, Vanderbilt University