March 27, 2025 ̶ Dr. Duane McKenna, William Hill Professor of Biology at the University of Memphis, has been elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society and a leading publisher of groundbreaking research. He is being honored for his fundamental contributions to understanding the evolution and genomic basis of insect biodiversity, as well as the complex interactions among insects, plants and microorganisms.
McKenna joins an esteemed group of Fellows that includes renowned scientists, engineers and innovators who are peer-nominated and recognized for their notable contributions to science. Past Fellows include Thomas Edison, W.E.B DuBois, Maria Mitchell, Steven Chu, Ellen Ochoa and Irwin M. Jacobs.
“I am honored to be recognized by fellow scientists whose work intersects with mine and who bring a unique perspective in assessing its impact,” McKenna said.
A faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences at the UofM for 15 years, McKenna’s research focuses on entomology, particularly the biodiversity, genomics and ecological roles of insects. He has travelled worldwide studying insects in their native habitats, discovering and describing new species and documenting their interactions with other biodiversity.
McKenna’s lab has extensively studied insect genomes, enhancing our understanding of genetic traits associated with plant-feeding, pollination and host plant and mate-finding. His work has broad implications for our understanding of the ecology and evolution of insect-plant interactions and has applications to forestry, agriculture, invasive species management and biodiversity conservation in a changing world. His discoveries, including how beetles evolved to efficiently digest plant material using genes “stolen” from fungi and bacteria, also have significant ecological implications and biotechnological applications.
“The University of Memphis has provided a unique scholarly environment fostering innovation and scientific discovery,” McKenna said.
McKenna’s research program is currently supported by over $3.75 million in external funding from organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the Australian Research Council. Additional funding has come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency and local corporate and institutional partnerships. His research spans the globe, including the Antarctic. He has trained graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to faculty positions at leading research institutions worldwide.
“This recognition is a testament to the outstanding collaborations and institutional support that have shaped my research career,” McKenna said.
McKenna has played a major role in global biodiversity genomics initiatives, including the Insect 5,000 Genomes Project and the Earth BioGenome Project, which aims to sequence and catalog the genomes of all life on Earth. At the University of Memphis, he contributed to the establishment of key initiatives, including serving as founding Director of the Center for Biodiversity Research and Education (CBio) and the Agriculture and Food Technology Research Cluster. McKenna also values the strong community partnerships that have helped sustain and expand regionally focused efforts in biodiversity research and education.
He acknowledges the vital contributions of postdocs and UofM students — both graduate and undergraduate — who have been integral to his lab’s success. “Their energy, enthusiasm and willingness to tackle new challenges have been invaluable,” he said. McKenna also credits his wife and family for their enduring support.
Before joining the UofM in 2010, McKenna was a postdoctoral researcher and research associate at the Harvard University Museum of Comparative Zoology. He holds a PhD in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University, an MS in Entomology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a BS in Biology and Chemistry from Western Michigan University. His numerous university accolades include the Early Career Research Award (2014), Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2016), William D. Hill Chair in Biology (2018), Alumni Association Distinguished Research Award (2023) and the Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award (2023), the highest distinction given to a faculty member by the University of Memphis.
Reflecting on this milestone, McKenna remarked, “Being named a Fellow of AAAS is both a personal honor and a testament to the exceptional colleagues, students and collaborators who have shaped my work. The University of Memphis fosters an environment where bold, globally relevant research can flourish and I am eager to continue exploring the vast world of insect biodiversity and its profound impact on science and society.”
