EEB Thursday Seminar Series - How does density dependence affect evolutionary rescue, and how does an evolutionary ecologist shift university culture and climate? A tale of two roles

Seminar Summary - I’ll present on two topics. First, I’ll discuss experiments on evolutionary rescue, which is adaptation that enables a population to persist and grow following detrimental environmental change. Using Tribolium beetles as a model system, we evaluated how density dependence reduce the probability of rescue, but do not inhibit adaptation of populations that persist. Second, I’ll discuss Colorado State University’s NSF ADVANCE grant, and how as an evolutionary ecologist I’ve been able to shed light on university data to reveal low retention of faculty women of color relative to other groups of faculty members. I’ll then discuss the kinds of programming we have put in place to improve recruitment and retention and overall success of faculty members to reduce the gaps the data reveal, and how we used the ADVANCE grant to leverage university resources and structures in ways that should have lasting impact.