Neuroethology & Behavioral Ecology Faculty

We investigate causal, developmental, functional, and evolutionary aspects of animal behavior. This includes analyzing genetic, neural and psychological mechanisms underlying behavior, as well as their evolutionary consequences in terms of speciation and diversification. Research is conducted both in laboratory and field populations.

Within OEB, we focus primarily on animal systems other than humans, including the neurobiology of learning and memory, the behavioral ecology of species interactions, mating behavior and its role in species divergence, and perceptions involved in social interactions.

Benjamin L. de Bivort

debivort@oeb.harvard.edu

Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Co-Chair of the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Benjamin de Bivort with beard and mustache wearing a red shirt and black jacket smiling

Scott V. Edwards

sedwards@fas.harvard.edu

Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Curator of Ornithology in the Museum of Comparative Zoology

Scott Edwards smiling, with short grey hair and beard, wearing light blue button down, with light grey background

Brian D. Farrell

farrellb@oeb.harvard.edu

Sabbatical Academic Year 2025-2026

Monique and Philip Lehner Professor for the Study of Latin America

Professor of Biology

Curator of Entomology in the Museum of Comparative Zoology

Brian D. Farrell with grey beard and hair, wearing white short sleeve button down, with spike green leaves behind him

David A. Haig

dhaig@oeb.harvard.edu

George Putnam Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Associate of Dudley House

David Haig with gray hair, a beard, wearing glasses and a suit, in front of grey background

Hopi E. Hoekstra

hopi_hoekstra@harvard.edu

Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences

C.Y. Chan Professor of Arts and Sciences

Xiaomeng Tong and Yu Chen Professor of Life Sciences

Senior Fellow of the Society of Fellows, ex officio

Not Accepting Graduate Students

Hopi Hoekstra smiling, learning on doorway, with long hair and black shirt with white pattern

Robin Hopkins

rhopkins@fas.harvard.edu

Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Faculty Fellow of the Arnold Arboretum

Robin Hopkins smiling, with short hair, grey sweater and pink top, in front of light grey background

Bence P. Ölveczky

olveczky@fas.harvard.edu

Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Bence Olveczky smiling, with short brown hair, a light purple shirt, and dark red sweater

Naomi E. Pierce

npierce@oeb.harvard.edu

Sidney A. and John H. Hessel Professor of Biology

Curator of Lepidoptera in the Museum of Comparative Zoology

Senior Fellow of the Society of Fellows

Naomi Pierce with long grey hair pulled back, glasses on head, dark sweater, light shirt, and colorful scarf

Yun Zhang

yzhang@oeb.harvard.edu

Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Yun Zhang with short black hair, glasses, and black patterned shirt, standing near window