Dave J. Clarke
Assistant Professor of Teaching
About Dr. Clarke
Dr. Clarke joined the Biology Department in 2020. He is an entomologist and morphologist interested primarily in beetles. His research spans comparative morphology, systematics, evolutionary biology, paleontology and biogeography. Current projects involve using morphological data to resolve the phylogeny of weevils (Curculionidae) and several groups of rove beetles (Staphylinidae). Critical to these projects is a focus on the systematics and evolution of fossil lineages that were highly diverse in the Cretaceous; the morphology of these creatures in a phylogenetic context provides a crucial window into the early morphological evolution of extant forms. He also produces monographs of taxonomically understudied beetles, contributing vital information on species-level and morphological diversity and distribution that is needed for conservation and biodiversity studies. Dr. Clarke has taught a range of lecture and lab courses at multiple institutions including Animal Physiology, Organismal Biology, and Environmental Science. At the Lambuth Campus he teaches Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Ecology, Entomology, Evolution, Genetics, and General Biology, as well as non-majors Organismal and Cell Biology, and Human Anatomy and Physiology. His teaching interests include Medical Entomology and Parasitology. He also maintains the Biology Department, Edward J. Meeman Biological Station, and The University of Memphis Herbarium websites.
Education
B.S. in biology, University of Auckland; M.S. with first class honors in biology, University of Auckland; Ph.D. in biology, University of Illinois at Chicago
Research Interests
- Beetle systematics
- Evolution
- Paleontology
- Comparative morphology
- Ecology