We are working remotely during the pandemic. Please email Dawn Koschnitzki (Program Coordinator), Jennifer Neuwald (Assistant Director), or Ruth Hufbauer (Director) for assistance.

Program of Research and Scholarly Excellence

GDPE is among a select group of programs that have achieved great distinction and set a standard for excellence in research, teaching and service that may serve as a model for programs throughout the institution and externally.

Opportunities across disciplines

Our curriculum is rigorous and comprehensive–our students emerge from the program as highly competent and skilled graduates.

Room to grow

The GDPE curriculum is designed to provide a breadth and depth of training to MS and PhD students, who will emerge from the program as highly competent and skilled graduates.

Welcome Cohort of 2020

An important part of graduate education is the opportunity to interact with students and faculty from diverse fields within ecology, and we trust that you will find your academic and social interactions within GDPE and the greater CSU community to be rewarding and valuable experiences that you will carry with you as you advance through your academic and professional life.

C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity Collection Insects Moves

The insect collection at the C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity migrated to the Hartshorn Center.

Our Program

GDPE ranks among the nation’s top Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Programs. We have an an ongoing tradition of research excellence, publication and post-graduate placement.

Curriculum & Courses

GDPE’s degree programs are rigorous and comprehensive–our students emerge from the program highly competent and skilled.

Research

GDPE is recognized as a Program of Research and Scholarly Excellence at Colorado State University. Our students and faculty are engaged in research across all levels of ecology.

Distinguished Ecologists 2020-2021

Alum

Hoover, Dave 9-2020

Dave Hoover
October 14, 2020
Research Ecologist &
Ecohydrologist,
USDA – ARS
“From droughts to deluges: The ecological impacts of precipitation extremes on dryland ecosystems”

Resident

Cotrufo Resize

Francesca Cotrufo
November 4, 2020
Professor, Dept. Soil & Crop Sciences
Senior Scientist, Natural Resource Ecology Lab
“Advancing understanding of soil organic matter to provide solutions to our wicked challenges”

Visiting

Description: Professor Vanessa Ezenwa Date of Photo: 8/28/2014 Credit: Peter Frey, University of Georgia Photographic Services File: 31699-010 The University of Georgia owns the rights to this image or has permission to redistribute this image. Permission to use this image is granted for internal UGA publications and promotions and for a one-time use for news purposes. Separate permission and payment of a fee is required to use any image for any other purpose, including but not limited to, commercial, advertising or illustrative purposes. Unauthorized use of any of these copyrighted photographs is unlawful and may subject the user to civil and criminal penalties. Possession of this image signifies agreement to all the terms described above.

Vanessa Ezenwa
February 18, 2021
Professor, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia
 “Worms, Germs, and Buffalo: a Coinfection Story”

Visiting

Dr. Jonathan Losos - Head Shot

Jonathan Losos
March 18, 2021
Danforth Distinguished Professor, Biology, Washington University
“Using Experiments in Nature to Study Evolution in Real Time: Research on Lizard Adaptation in the Bahamas”

Visiting

Rachel Winfree

Rachel Winfree
April 22, 2021
Professor, Dept. of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University
“What can pollinators tell us about biodiversity and ecosystem services in real-world landscapes?”

GDPE Ecologists in the News

Team of Researchers led by GDPE researcher Dr. Meena Balgopal study how novice STEM teachers adapt to disruptions due to COVID-19

GDPE researcher Dr. Lise Aubry finds Women, parents and early-career faculty in ecology most impacted by COVID-19

Front Range Student Ecology Symposium

The FRSES offers students in environmental science, conservation biology, ecology, and related fields an opportunity to present work, share ideas and meet other participants from across Colorado.

Individuals interested in joining our program are encouraged to visit in mid-February during FRSES. It’s a great time to talk with students and faculty in GDPE.