Chris Smith is a teacher-scholar with particular interest in the ecology and evolution of societies, division of labor, the genetics and genomics of caste systems in ants. He has led the College's off-campus program in New Zealand.
“I chose to work at Earlham in order to interact directly with students in and out of the classroom. I enjoy being at a place that practices its principles (respect, integrity, simplicity, and community),” says Chris.
Campus MailDrawer 3
Phone765-983-1377
E-mailsmithch@earlham.edu
Office136 Stanley Hall
WebsiteWebsite Link
Programs/Departments
Degrees
Selected Courses:
Ecological BiologyBiological DiversityBiology of InsectsBioinformaticsEvolutionary BiologyEvolutionary Genomics
The ecology and evolution of societies, division of labor, the genetics and genomics of caste systems in ants.
The nature and nurture of caste determination in social insects from gene expression to ecology. Comparative genomics in ants. Ant foraging ecology and decision making.
A complete list of my publications is online at Google Scholar.
International Union for the Study of Social InsectsEntomological Society of AmericaAnimal Behavior Society
In order to interact directly with students in and out of the classroom. To be at a place that practices its principles (respect, integrity, simplicity, and community).
Diverse.
The genomics of caste determination in harvester ants
Optimal foraging in slime molds
The metagenomics of agricultural soils
The trophic ecology of division of labor in insect societies
New Zealand Program (2014)
Family. I'd love to play more sports (tennis, volleyball, soccer) if I could.