Dr. Jo Kurdziel

Biography

Jo Kurdziel is a Collegiate Lecturer in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. His academic background includes a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Stony Brook and an M.S. in Zoology from the University of South Florida. His research interests are multifaceted, focusing on evolutionary ecology and science education. In evolutionary ecology, Kurdziel emphasizes understanding ecological pressures that shape morphological variation and reproductive strategies among marine invertebrates, as well as how species interactions affect community composition and productivity in aquatic systems. Additionally, he is deeply invested in science education, particularly in developing inquiry-based biology courses for both majors and non-majors, and assessing the effectiveness of these teaching methods in enhancing student learning. His teaching experience includes courses such as EEB 302 and BIO 171, where he involves undergraduate students actively in the learning process. Jo has contributed to various interdisciplinary projects and committees aimed at enhancing educational equity and diversity within the biological sciences at the University of Michigan.

Research Interests