Thank You for Celebrating 50 Years of EEB!
University of Arizona’s Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department Celebrates 50 Years with Symposium Highlighting Scientific Impact
Guest Speakers from the Symposium: from left to right: Drs. Brian McGill, Michael Nachman, Daniel Bolnick, Marlene Zuk, Suzanne Alonzo, Susan Harrison, and Michael Donoghue
The University of Arizona’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology marked its 50th anniversary with a multi-day symposium that showcased the department’s scientific impact, deep community ties, and commitment to training the next generation of biologists. Held March 29 through March 31, 2026 in the Environment and Natural Resources 2 and Biological Sciences West buildings, the celebration brought together faculty, students, alumni, and visiting scholars from across the country. Organizers reported strong attendance at every event, with keynote lectures and panel discussions drawing audiences from both campus and the broader Tucson community.
Founded in 1975 as one of the first academic units in the world organized explicitly around ecology and evolutionary biology, the department used the milestone to highlight five decades of discovery spanning genes to ecosystems. Over that time, EEB researchers have helped redefine how scientists study biodiversity, integrating fieldwork, theory, genomics, and conservation to address challenges from species loss to emerging diseases. “This is a time to look back, then look forward,” said department head Michael Worobey, noting that the anniversary doubled as a strategic conversation about the questions that will shape the next 50 years.
The symposium’s centerpiece on March 30 featured a high-profile lineup of invited speakers whose talks reflected the breadth of modern ecology and evolution. Distinguished professor Sean B. Carroll of the University of Maryland delivered the public keynote address, known for his ability to translate complex evolutionary ideas for broad audiences. Additional talks by Dan Bolnick, Marlene Zuk, Michael Donoghue, Brian McGill, Susan Harrison, Suzanne Alonzo, and Michael Nachman highlighted topics ranging from rapid adaptation and species interactions to conservation policy and the evolution of behavior. Attendees praised the program for balancing cutting-edge research with accessible storytelling that welcomed non-specialists into the conversation.
Beyond the plenary talks, the symposium emphasized interaction and mentorship through roundtable discussions, networking events, and public receptions. The Research Showcase Poster Session filled the lecture room with undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers presenting projects tied closely to the Tucson climate and global environmental issues. Many alumni returned to campus to reconnect with former advisors and classmates, sharing how their EEB training shaped careers in academia, government agencies, conservation organizations, and industry. “Science, believe it or not, is a highly social undertaking,” Worobey said. “This was a time to celebrate not just science, but scientists.”
Organizers also used the anniversary to highlight the department’s central role in education at the University of Arizona and beyond. EEB faculty contribute heavily to a biology curriculum that now reaches students worldwide, including through the university’s online biology program, which was recently recognized nationally for excellence. Students benefit from hands-on research opportunities in nearby desert, mountain, and riparian ecosystems, experiences that were on full display in posters and talks throughout the week. “We wanted this celebration to center students and early-career scientists, because they will carry this work into the next half-century,” said symposium organizers.
While the anniversary offered a moment to honor the past, many sessions focused squarely on what comes next for ecology and evolutionary biology. Discussions explored how new tools—from genomics to remote sensing and data science—are reshaping the questions researchers can ask about climate change, emerging diseases, and the resilience of ecosystems. Speakers emphasized the need for inclusive, collaborative science that works directly with communities, Indigenous nations, and policymakers to address urgent environmental challenges. “Where have we been, and where should we go next?” asked University Distinguished Professor Judie Bronstein, framing the symposium as a launching point rather than a capstone.
As events concluded, participants described the symposium as both a reunion and a recommitment. For many, the week served as a vivid reminder of how a department founded on an unconventional idea—bringing ecology and evolution under one roof—has grown into a nationally recognized program whose alumni and faculty shape the discipline worldwide. With new collaborations sparked in hallway conversations and poster sessions, organizers said the most lasting measure of the symposium’s success may be the projects and partnerships that emerge in its wake.
Note of Thanks
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology extends its sincere thanks to all who contributed to the celebration. We are especially grateful to our guest speakers for sharing their time, insights, and enthusiasm, and to the many presenters, moderators, organizers, and attendees whose participation and support made this 50th anniversary celebration possible.
Thank you, and we will see you at the 100th!
Missed the event?
