Lincoln P. Brower

Job Title:
Research Professor in Biology

Subjects or issues this person can knowledgeably discuss:
Overwintering and migration biology of the monarch butterfly, conservation of the monarch butterfly in the United States and Mexico, chemical defense, mimicry, conservation of endangered biological phenomena, the Bt corn controversy and modern agriculture's negative impact on bio-diversity.

Professional achievements or current responsibilities:
Recipient of the Wilbur Lucius Cross Medal from Yale University, Linnean Medal of Zoology from the Linnean Society of London, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Animal Behavior Society, and the Henry Walter Bates Award for the Biology and Conservation of Tropical Butterflies. Served as president of the Society for the Study of Evolution, the Lepidopterists' Society, and the International Society of Chemical Ecology. Senior Fellow, World Wildlife Fund.

Educational background:
B.A. Princeton University; Ph.D. Yale University.

Current or recent research:
Supported by the National Science Foundation, Brower's major current research is aimed at understanding why the monarch butterfly overwinters in such a precariously small and specific habitat in Mexico; and predicting the effects of human-caused changes in the butterfly's overwintering habitat.

Books or significant articles published:
Brower, L.P., G. Castilleja, A. Peralta, J. Lopez-Garcia, L. Bojorquez-Tapia, S. Diaz, D. Melgarejo, and M. Missrie. 2002. "Quantitative Changes in Forest Quality in a Principal Overwintering Area of the Monarch Butterfly in Mexico: 1971 to 1999". Conservation Biology 16:346-359.

Brower, L.P. 2001. "Canary in the Cornfield: The Monarch and the Bt corn controversy". Orion 20:32-41.

Brower, L.P. 1996. "Monarch Butterfly Orientation: Missing Pieces of a Magnificent Puzzle." Journal of Experimental Biology 199:93-103.

Brower, L.P. 1995. "Understanding and Misunderstanding the Migration of the Monarch Butterfly (Nymphalidae) in North America: 1857-1995." J. Lepidopterists' Soc. 49:304-385.

Current or recent professional memberships, activities or awards:
Society for the Study of Evolution, the Lepidopterists' Society, and the International Society of Chemical Ecology.

Experience with news media:
Extensive live and edited interviews on camera, TV collaborations with BBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc. Several NPR interviews.

Summary of expertise:
Professor Brower has done extensive research on the overwintering and migration biology of the monarch butterfly, and is a participant in ongoing international efforts to conserve the butterfly's migration phenomenon.

Key Terms:
Monarch butterfly, migration, conservation biology, Bt Corn controversy.