The doctoral (PhD) degree program in Ecology, Evolution and Earth Systems (EEES) at Drexel University is a multidisciplinary program that emphasizes collaboration with other departments at the University, allowing for research in many disciplines, including ecology, evolution and sytematics, biodiversity, conservation, earth and environmental science. Students work closely with one or more faculty members to master their chosen area of environmental research.

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Program Overview

We evaluate applicants to the Drexel University Ecology, Evolution and Earth Systems (EEES) doctoral program on academic excellence and the alignment of their research interests with the BEES Department faculty. Students develop an academic study plan appropriate for conducting their research under the guidance of a faculty advisor and their dissertation committee. The PhD student must pass a candidacy examination and an oral defense of the dissertation, demonstrating the capacity to perform independent research. To be awarded the PhD, students must complete a doctoral dissertation and publish their research in leading peer-reviewed journals.

Graduate Student Handbook (PDF)

Program Faculty

Department faculty are dedicated mentors who expertly guide graduate students in building programs of study to meet their academic and career interests. Faculty encourage students to immerse themselves in research opportunities, discover world-class facilities and explore essential field sites. In addition, faculty help prepare students to become effective communicators, advocates and leaders who confidently share research findings with their peers and make science more accessible to the public.

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	Faculty Member	Expertise
	Sean O'Donnell Professor PISB 324 so356@drexel.edu	The O’Donnell Lab Brain plasticity and the evolution of brain structure Social behavior and division of labor, especially of eusocial Hymenoptera Thermal ecology and thermal physiology Network models of social group organization Behavior and ecology of bird-army ant interactions Human-safe insecticides
	Megan V. Phifer-Rixey Associate Professor of Biology PISB 320 Mp3754@drexel.edu	The Phifer-Rixey Lab Evolution Genetics Adaptation Integrative Biology Urban Climate
	Jacob A. Russell Professor PISB 325 jar337@drexel.edu	Roles of bacterial symbionts in ant evolution Function, stability, and dynamics of heritable symbiont communities in aphids Genomic mechanisms driving correlations between symbiosis and insect ecology Coevolutionary histories between insects and their microbes

Faculty Accepting Students

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	Faculty Member	Expertise
	Tatyana Livshultz Associate Professor; Assistant Curator of Botany, Academy of Natural Sciences ANS tl534@drexel.edu	Botany Phylogenetic reconstruction Evolution of plant specialized metabolism Plant-insect interactions Plant functional morphology
	Jason Munshi-South Betz Chair and Professor PISB 323 jm5383@drexel.edu	Urban ecology and evolutionary biology Landscape genetics Population genomics Native and commensal animals Evolution of lichen symbionts Urban habitat restoration and connectivity
	Marina Potapova Associate Professor Curator of Diatoms, Academy of Natural Sciences mp895@drexel.edu	Water quality Algae, Protists Diatoms Aquatic Ecology Biological Collections Environmental Pollution
	Gary Rosenberg Professor; Pilsbry Chair of Malacology, Academy of Natural Sciences Malacology, ANS gr347@drexel.edu	Malacology Systematics Evolution Taxonomy Nomenclature
	Loÿc Vanderkluysen Associate Professor PISB, Room 322 loyc@drexel.edu	Volcano remote sensing and monitoring Volcanic gasses Igneous petrology and geochemistry Large Igneous Provinces
	Jason D. Weckstein Associate Professor Associate Curator of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Ornithology Department 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, PA 19096 jdw342@drexel.edu	Phylogenetics Host-parasite coevolution; Ornithology Systematic biology; Comparative biology Biodiversity surveys Genomics

Teaching Fellow Policy

The College of Arts and Sciences regards training in pedagogy and instruction to be core to the mission of doctoral education. All EEES doctoral students must perform significant teaching duties, defined over multiple terms, while pursuing their degree. Alternate fulfillment of this requirement is at the discretion of the program director and the head of the student's home department.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Supervising teaching labs
• Running course recitations
• Teaching as the primary instructor
• Leading student seminars
• Training junior researchers in core research methods
• Active participation in pedagogical seminars or conferences

William L. McLean III Fellowship

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and the Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES) are pleased to offer the William L. McLean III Fellowship which supports original graduate research in environmental science and ornithology. BEES PhD students who have passed candidacy or will have passed candidacy by the end of Fall Quarter in the upcoming academic year, are eligible for this fellowship. A faculty member within BEES must support and approve the student’s application. The fellowship is for one academic year and covers stipend, fees, tuition and research expenses – such as equipment, supplies and travel. In addition, funds can cover laboratory or field support and the final stages of a PhD dissertation.

The application deadline is May 15 with selection made by late June. Funds become available at the start of the following academic year. For more information, please email bees@drexel.edu.

Eligibility and Requirements

Prior Fellows

Recent Dissertations

Students in our program complete dissertations on a wide range of topics. We proudly invite prospective students to review recent dissertations authored by our PhD in Ecology, Evolution and Earth Systems degree recipients.

Recent Dissertations

Drexel Library: Theses, Dissertations and Projects